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Long Beach Port Plan Cleans the Air and Keeps Economic Engine Running

Pollution from Long Beach and Los Angelesstandards and new security requirements being
ports combined is a serious threat to publicimposed by the U.S. Transportation Security
health and something needs to be done, fast.Administration on all truckers who regularly
Long Beach City Council last nigth ( July 8,service the ports, some current drivers won't
2009) voted 6-0 to reconsider a Clean Trucksqualify and will leave the industry. That
Program.will result in fewer drivers serving the
ports and lead to an increase in the hourly
More than 90 per of the estimated 16,800rates paid to drivers. That's a market driven
trucks that service the two ports are drivensolution that places the cost of doing
by independent owner/operators who work on anbusiness right where it belongs: in the cargo
as-needed basis and respond to calls to pickowners'  hands.
up  or  deliver  goods  to  the  two  ports.
The Clean Trucks Program will ban 1988 and
Rather than risking a trucking industryolder trucks after October 1 and
lawsuit by imposing an employee driver onlyprogressively ban all trucks that don't meet
mandate like the Port of Los Angeles, the2007 emission standards by 2012. To assist
Long Beach plan, strongly backed by Mayordrivers who agree to scrap their dirty
Foster, allows both independent drivers andtrucks, the port will offer an 80 percent
trucking company employee drivers to continuegrant or loan toward the purchase or lease of
to  serve  the  Port  of  Long Beach. Why?a  new  truck.
· The Long Beach plan can move quickly toThe subsidized program will be financed by
greatly improve air quality because it isnew fees to be assessed on imports and
based on the existing, proven, employee andexports, state bond funds and Port of Long
independent driver business model used by theBeach funds. For the average trucker, a new
trucking  industry  nationwide.clean-fuel truck can be leased and maintained
for only $500 a month, and then bought at the
· The Long Beach plan assures the Portend of seven years for as little as $7,000.
will continue to grow, prosper and createThe average service life of the new trucks
even more jobs while giving all truck driverscan be 20 years or more. Those who wish to
the right to decide whether they wish to beretrofit an older truck to comply with the
an employee of a larger company or continuenew pollution standards can get grants of up
to  be  an owner/operator and their own boss.to  $20,000.
· The Long Beach Plan gives truck driversThe Long Beach Clean Trucks Program has been
the freedom to choose to work as employees ofdesigned to make it feasible for individuals
a trucking company or as independent businessto participate for the long term. The first
people, so long as they meet the new strictnew trucks will be handed over to truckers
environmental and safety requirements. Manynext month, beginning a process that will
independent drivers have made it clear theyboth reduce pollution and improve the health
will not become employee drivers as mandatedof those living in the Los Angeles Basin.
in  the  Port of  Los  Angeles  plan.We should make sure to seize this rare
opportunity where everybody actually wins -
· Long Beach allows all segments of thethe port, truckers and everyone living in the
shipping and cargo industry to retain maximumregion.
flexibility in transporting goods, lessening
any potential disruption in the movement ofThis is solution that is supported by the
goods. Many businesses use a mixture ofSouthern California Leadership Council
employees and independent freelancers - port(S.C.L.C.).a business-led and sponsored
trucking  is  no  different.public policy partnership representing key
business and community leaders in all 6
The Long Beach plan has been endorsed by theSouthern California Counties. The Council,
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and thewith the support of California's four former
Southern California Leadership Council andGovernors, provides proactive leadership for
leading newspapers including the Los Angelesa strong economy, a vital business
Times  and  the  Long  Beach  Press-Telegram.environment and a better quality of life for
everyone who lives here.
Between enhanced truck safety and emission



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