L.A. port tries to close truck program loopholes

L.A. port tries to close truck program loopholes    The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved two measures to strengthen its enforcement of the Port of Los Angeles' Clean Truck Program to try to reduce emissions further, the port said Thursday.
   First, the commission approved a measure to incorporate Class 7 trucks, which are slightly smaller than Class 8 trucks, into the program.
   Second, the commission approved a measure to strengthen enforcement against 'dray-offs,' a practice that involves switching cargo from a Clean Truck Program-compliant truck to a non-compliant truck within the Harbor District or adjacent public streets.
   'Since its inception two years ago, the Clean Truck Program has resulted in significantly cleaner air in the region and more than 90 percent of gate moves at our terminals are now handled by compliant trucks,' said Geraldine Knatz, Port of Los Angeles executive director. 'By closing loopholes in the program, the action by the Harbor Commission today strengthens the Clean Truck Program and helps provide for its long-term sustainability.'

Knatz

   The program, in effect since Oct. 1, 2008, is modeled after the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) state Drayage Truck Rule. Both the state's and the port's programs originally focused only on Class 8 heavy-duty drayage trucks, since they conducted most of the drayage at ports and rail yards across the State.
   Because the average loaded container weighs about 30,000 pounds by itself, and the truck tractors weigh 10,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds, Class 7 trucks cannot lawfully move most cargo to and from the port. These vehicles can move lighter loads, and empty containers or bare chassis, though movement of these were originally handled by Class 8 vehicles. This has changed over the past 11 months, the port said.
   “Since the start of 2010, Class 7 truck operation at the Port of Los Angeles has increased significantly, with an average truck engine age of 1998,” the port said. “That increase coincided with a Jan. 1, 2010 progressive ban on Class 8 trucks where engine model years older than 2004 were either banned outright or subject to an engine retrofit requirement. Under the new tariff measure adopted by the L.A. Harbor Commission, operators of Class 7 trucks will be subject to the same access restrictions as Class 8 trucks, and they will have until July 1, 2011 to either purchase an engine retrofit or new vehicle in order to continue operating at the Port.”
   To close the so-called 'dray-off' loophole, the commission has modified the Clean Truck Program tariff so that switching cargo from compliant trucks to banned trucks or to avoid payment of Clean Truck Fees is now banned anywhere in the Harbor District.
   Violations of the dray-off restrictions are now punishable as misdemeanors with fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment in Los Angeles County Jail for up to six months, and avoided Clean Truck Fees will be assessed. Additionally, licensed motor carriers may also be found in default of their concession agreements with the port.
   The port said CARB is considering similar action to amend its State Drayage Truck Rule to include regulation of Class 7 vehicles and to address the dray-off issue. CARB is scheduled to vote on similar measures at its two-day meeting this week. ' Eric Johnson