Clearing the air at U.S. ports

Clearing the air at U.S. ports By Kelly Kolb
vice president, global supply chain policy,
Retail Industry Leaders Association

Kelly Kolb vice president, global supply chain policy, Retail Industry Leaders Association

   The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's recent declaration to launch a truck replacement program to reduce truck emissions at the nation's largest seaport is a welcome announcement for retailers and a strong indication that the successes realized at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are catching on across the nation.
   The Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT), of which Retail Industry Leaders Association is a partner, began working with the Port Authority at New York and New Jersey when it announced its plan to develop its Truck Emission Reduction Program (TERP). This initiative is a working example of the commitment of retailers and other stakeholders to proactively work with the ports to reduce carbon emissions.
   CRT members and the port authority are working closely to support firm goals for emission reduction to minimize health risks from diesel pollution. Known for its financing model, which achieved great success in helping drivers acquire new vehicles to meet the requirements of the clean truck plans of the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CRT is gearing up to achieve similar success at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
   CRT's proven track record of success in Southern California is helping to drive efforts to implement similar clean truck programs in ports across the country. According to the Port of Long Beach, the public-private partnership with industry resulted in cutting pollution at the ports by almost 80 percent. Nearly two years ahead of schedule, 6,650 clean trucks have been deployed — 4,000 privately financed. These achievements in Southern California are a testament to the proactive approach from all stakeholders and the power of industry collaboration to achieve greater environmental sustainability while protecting the businesses and good jobs affiliated with ports' operations.
   CRT's membership has grown to include leading importers, exporters, trucking companies and ocean carriers that represent the largest and most progressive customers at our nation's ports. The coalition's member companies have introduced revolutionary practices that have proved to be a template for effective solutions to environmental challenges and offer financial support to fund truck replacement for both employee drivers and thousands of small business owners who serve as the ports' independent drivers. These financial models consist of some of the following measures:
   ' Assisting drivers with down payments to help acquire clean trucks.
   ' Helping drivers secure lower interest loans.
   ' Providing financial support for monthly payments on clean trucks that transport CRT members' cargo.
   ' These newer trucks also help decrease driver expenses through increased fuel efficiency and reliability, and reduce maintenance and repair costs.
   Through these proactive measures, CRT's members are demonstrating their commitment as the majority of the clean trucks deployed in Southern California have been privately financed by the shipping industry, without public incentives. CRT members are investing millions of dollars in the deployment of new, clean equipment in partnership with federal and state governments, and local ports around the country. As the dialogue continues, we hope to continue to propel the momentum that is building across the country.
   RILA members have long supported collaboration with the broader shipping community to improve air quality in and around our nation's ports, and have supported other clean truck plans such as those at the ports of Oakland, Calif.; and Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. As such, RILA partnered with CRT in 2009 to expand efforts to reduce diesel emissions in and around our nation's ports.
   Just recently, RILA visited several East Coast ports to talk about what CRT has been doing to collaborate with our nation's ports and reach target emission goals. Discussion topics revolved around existing green port policies, recent accomplishments, and upcoming sustainability plans. RILA and CRT also engaged the ports to offer support in helping propel these efforts forward. RILA encourages the shipping community to join CRT, and looks forward to continuing to work with CRT and ports to improve the quality of the air while helping port users obtain clean equipment in a manner that works with their business plans.
   RILA membership is strongly committed to advocating for standards of environmental protection that work for the environment as well as for the retail industry. RILA and its members actively pursue and promote environmental sustainability through RILA's Sustainability Initiative (RSI), a collaborative initiative designed to help leading retail companies meet and exceed environmental standards by pursuing environmentally sustainable activities and responsible business practices. RILA has also created the Environmental Sustainability and Compliance Conference (ESCC), a conference for the retail industry devoted to environmental issues.
   RILA is a trade association of the retail industry, comprising more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers and service suppliers, together accounting for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of U.S. employees and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.