Post by dockworker on Apr 25, 2009 15:03:20 GMT -5
Shippers Back Seattle, Tacoma Clean-trucks Plan
Bill Mongelluzzo Apr 24, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Pacific Northwest ports remain sensitive to needs of U.S. exporters
Agricultural shippers announced their support for clean-trucks plans proposed by the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, saying the Pacific Northwest ports intend to reduce harmful emissions from harbor trucks while remaining sensitive to the needs of U.S. exporters.
The proposed clean-trucks plans should "effectively reduce emissions without imposing fees, costs and other burdens on agriculture and forest products exporters that would threaten their competitiveness," said Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, in letters to the ports.
AgTC noted that virtually all U.S. agricultural and forest products compete in export markets with similar products grown in other nations, so cost competitiveness is crucial to the success of the U.S. agricultural industry.
The Seattle and Tacoma proposals have no new fees, nor do they favor motor carriers with employee-drivers. "Qualifying drayage operators will be determined based solely on whether the age of the truck complies with the established age restrictions," the letter said. Also, the ports will assist truckers with the retrofitting and scrapping of trucks needed to meet emission standards.
AgTC noted that a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruling found fault with the Los Angeles-Long Beach clean-trucks plans that place financial-reporting requirements on motor carriers, restrict on-street parking and, in the case of Los Angeles, require the use of employee drivers.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com .
Bill Mongelluzzo Apr 24, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Pacific Northwest ports remain sensitive to needs of U.S. exporters
Agricultural shippers announced their support for clean-trucks plans proposed by the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, saying the Pacific Northwest ports intend to reduce harmful emissions from harbor trucks while remaining sensitive to the needs of U.S. exporters.
The proposed clean-trucks plans should "effectively reduce emissions without imposing fees, costs and other burdens on agriculture and forest products exporters that would threaten their competitiveness," said Peter Friedmann, executive director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, in letters to the ports.
AgTC noted that virtually all U.S. agricultural and forest products compete in export markets with similar products grown in other nations, so cost competitiveness is crucial to the success of the U.S. agricultural industry.
The Seattle and Tacoma proposals have no new fees, nor do they favor motor carriers with employee-drivers. "Qualifying drayage operators will be determined based solely on whether the age of the truck complies with the established age restrictions," the letter said. Also, the ports will assist truckers with the retrofitting and scrapping of trucks needed to meet emission standards.
AgTC noted that a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruling found fault with the Los Angeles-Long Beach clean-trucks plans that place financial-reporting requirements on motor carriers, restrict on-street parking and, in the case of Los Angeles, require the use of employee drivers.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com .