[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLEAN TRUCK PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the economic 
and environmental benefits the landmark Clean Truck Program has brought 
to southern California during its first year.
  California is home to one of our nation's largest and most vibrant 
economic hubs: the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Unfortunately, 
the ports are also home to emissions generated by the short-haul 
transport of goods. The neighborhoods surrounding the ports of Long 
Beach and Los Angeles are disproportionately impacted by the air 
pollution caused by trucks and suffer from associated health problems 
including emphysema, asthma, and cancer.
  Successfully addressing localized air pollution and climate change 
will require a national strategy and a federal framework to coordinate 
implementation of air quality goals. Cities, local communities and 
local government can and should play a role in our national strategy.
  As seen by the Clean Truck Program's success, local governments are 
already making important contributions to federal efforts to improve 
air quality. On October 1, 2008 the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles 
implemented a ban on trucks with model years prior to 1989. Today, port 
officials estimate that approximately 1,500-2,000 ``dirty'' diesel 
trucks have been removed from drayage operations. The new trucks that 
replaced them generate 90 percent fewer emissions than the old dirty 
diesels.
  Beyond cleaning the air the Clean Truck Program has successfully 
stimulated local economic activity. The program's financial incentives 
have stimulated $500 million in private investment. Nationwide, new 
truck sales are down 60 percent. In contrast, truck dealers near the 
ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have reported a 33 percent year 
over year increase in sales due to the financing made available by the 
Clean Truck Program. These new truck sales include the sale of several 
liquefied natural gas trucks, which draw upon one of America's greatest 
energy assets.
  Almost 800 trucking companies have embraced the program's financial 
incentives, resulting in the deployment of more than 5,000 2007 EPA 
compliant trucks. At the program's current pace, the ports estimate 
that by January 2010, more than 90 percent of the cargo transit at port 
terminals will be made by trucks meeting USEPA 2007 heavy duty truck 
emissions standards. This achievement will allow the ports to meet 
their 2012 goal of 80 percent emissions reductions from overall drayage 
operations two years ahead of schedule.
  The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles Clean Truck Program has been 
a tremendous success and has brought economic and environmental 
benefits to the Area. I congratulate the ports on the first year of an 
innovative solution, and I optimistically look forward to the results 
of the program next year.

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