Purchase of LNG trucks approved for use in San Pedro Bay ports

Purchase of LNG trucks approved for use in San Pedro Bay ports Canadian alternative-fuel engine manufacturer Westport Innovations Inc. said Wednesday that California state officials have approved the acquisition and deployment of 20 Westport liquefied natural gas heavy-duty trucks for use in the neighboring ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
   Under terms of the $2.9 million agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Rancho Dominguez-based trucking firm Total Transportation Services Inc. will replace 20 of its pre-1990 trucks with the 2006 California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency-certified Westport LNG systems installed in Kenworth T800 trucks. The funding will provide up to $144,000 for the purchase of each vehicle.
   In February 2006, the SCAQMD set aside $6 million to replace older heavy-duty diesel trucks at the two ports with new LNG trucks. The ports contributed $8 million each towards the project, which could see up to 170 LNG trucks funded to a total cost of $24.5 million. The two ports have committed to replacing about 5,300 drayage diesel trucks used in the port area with LNG trucks by 2011.