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