Port of Los Angeles hands out more cash to replace old trucks

Port of Los Angeles hands out more cash to replace old trucks    The Los Angeles board of harbor commissioners has voted in favor of a plan to spend another $4.7 million in financial incentives over the next three years to get truckers to replace their old, diesel polluting trucks that use the port.
   The plan is outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the port and Gateway Cities Council.
   The truck fleet modernization program provides incentives of $20,000 to $50,000 per vehicle for commercial truck owners to trade in pre-1984 vehicles for newer models with cleaner burning engines. Trucks are a big contributor to the air pollution at the port.
   The port has contributed funding to the program since 2003, and has invested a total of $14.7 million.
   “More than 203 trucks have been replaced, saving up to 812 tons of nitrogen oxide and up to 203 tons of particulate matter over the next five years,” the port of Los Angeles said. “By 2008, a total of 400 to 500 trucks will have modernized through this program.”