L.A. port officials set truck cargo fee to cut air pollution

Cargo container fees approved Thursday by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission are expected to generate around $1.6 billion to help pay to replace nearly 17,000 older-model trucks with ones that spew fewer harmful emissions.

By ALEX VEIGA
The Associated Press

12/21/2007

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Harbor Commission voted on Thursday to charge a fee on cargo containers moving through the Port of Los Angeles, part of a plan to reduce air pollution by replacing thousands of older diesel trucks with cleaner-burning models.

The commission approved a plan last month to require thousands of trucks hauling cargo to the port be replaced or upgraded to meet 2007 diesel truck emission standards by 2012.

The panel voted to charge a $35 fee for every loaded container beginning June 1. The fee does not apply to containers that are loaded onto rail.

“This container fee is a fundamental step to ensuring we have the momentum and money to make the most aggressive plan to green the Ports’ truck fleet a reality,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. “With the financial groundwork laid, it’s now time to push forward on the rest.”

On Monday, the Long Beach Harbor Commission voted to charge fees on cargo containers moving through the Port of Long Beach.

The two ports combined account for more than 40 percent of all containerized cargo entering the U.S. annually.

The ports’ growth has raised concerns over the impact pollution from trucks, ships and other vehicles at the ports is having on surrounding communities.

Cargo container fees from both ports are expected to generate around $1.6 billion to help pay to replace nearly 17,000 older-model trucks with ones that spew fewer harmful emissions.

The plan forecasts an 80 percent reduction in air pollution from port trucks in the next five years.