| Pollution from Long Beach and Los Angeles ports | | | | Between enhanced truck safety and emission |
| combined is a serious threat to public health and | | | | standards and new security requirements being |
| something needs to be done, fast. Long Beach City | | | | imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security |
| Council last nigth ( July 8, 2009) voted 6-0 to | | | | Administration on all truckers who regularly service the |
| reconsider a Clean Trucks Program. | | | | ports, some current drivers won't qualify and will leave |
| More than 90 per of the estimated 16,800 trucks that | | | | the industry. That will result in fewer drivers serving the |
| service the two ports are driven by independent | | | | ports and lead to an increase in the hourly rates paid |
| owner/operators who work on an as-needed basis | | | | to drivers. That's a market driven solution that places |
| and respond to calls to pick up or deliver goods to the | | | | the cost of doing business right where it belongs: in the |
| two ports. | | | | cargo owners' hands. |
| Rather than risking a trucking industry lawsuit by | | | | The Clean Trucks Program will ban 1988 and older |
| imposing an employee driver only mandate like the | | | | trucks after October 1 and progressively ban all trucks |
| Port of Los Angeles, the Long Beach plan, strongly | | | | that don't meet 2007 emission standards by 2012. To |
| backed by Mayor Foster, allows both independent | | | | assist drivers who agree to scrap their dirty trucks, the |
| drivers and trucking company employee drivers to | | | | port will offer an 80 percent grant or loan toward the |
| continue to serve the Port of Long Beach. Why? | | | | purchase or lease of a new truck. |
| · The Long Beach plan can move quickly to | | | | The subsidized program will be financed by new fees |
| greatly improve air quality because it is based on the | | | | to be assessed on imports and exports, state bond |
| existing, proven, employee and independent driver | | | | funds and Port of Long Beach funds. For the average |
| business model used by the trucking industry | | | | trucker, a new clean-fuel truck can be leased and |
| nationwide. | | | | maintained for only $500 a month, and then bought at |
| · The Long Beach plan assures the Port will | | | | the end of seven years for as little as $7,000. The |
| continue to grow, prosper and create even more jobs | | | | average service life of the new trucks can be 20 |
| while giving all truck drivers the right to decide whether | | | | years or more. Those who wish to retrofit an older |
| they wish to be an employee of a larger company or | | | | truck to comply with the new pollution standards can |
| continue to be an owner/operator and their own boss. | | | | get grants of up to $20,000. |
| · The Long Beach Plan gives truck drivers the | | | | The Long Beach Clean Trucks Program has been |
| freedom to choose to work as employees of a | | | | designed to make it feasible for individuals to |
| trucking company or as independent business people, | | | | participate for the long term. The first new trucks will |
| so long as they meet the new strict environmental and | | | | be handed over to truckers next month, beginning a |
| safety requirements. Many independent drivers have | | | | process that will both reduce pollution and improve the |
| made it clear they will not become employee drivers | | | | health of those living in the Los Angeles Basin. We |
| as mandated in the Port of Los Angeles plan. | | | | should make sure to seize this rare opportunity where |
| · Long Beach allows all segments of the shipping | | | | everybody actually wins - the port, truckers and |
| and cargo industry to retain maximum flexibility in | | | | everyone living in the region. |
| transporting goods, lessening any potential disruption in | | | | This is solution that is supported by the Southern |
| the movement of goods. Many businesses use a | | | | California Leadership Council (S.C.L.C.).a business-led |
| mixture of employees and independent freelancers - | | | | and sponsored public policy partnership representing |
| port trucking is no different. | | | | key business and community leaders in all 6 Southern |
| The Long Beach plan has been endorsed by the Los | | | | California Counties. The Council, with the support of |
| Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Southern | | | | California's four former Governors, provides proactive |
| California Leadership Council and leading newspapers | | | | leadership for a strong economy, a vital business |
| including the Los Angeles Times and the Long Beach | | | | environment and a better quality of life for everyone |
| Press-Telegram. | | | | who lives here. |