The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey authorized $28 million to help truckers finance the replacement of up to 636 of the oldest, most polluting trucks serving the port.
New York-New Jersey officials hope their plan will help the port avoid the kind of controversy that has accompanied clean-air initiatives in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where litigation resulted from the ports’ requirements that truckers obtain operating concessions.
Peter Keller, chief operating officer of NYK Line (Americas), commended New York-New Jersey officials for working with the private sector to reduce pollution from trucks. Keller is a leader in the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, which has led a private-sector initiative that has led to the replacement of 4,000 older trucks at Southern California ports.
Also speaking in support of the program were representatives of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, New York Shipping Association, Natural Resources Defense Council and several community groups.
The $28 million in the program approved Thursday includes $7 million in federal funds. Part of the money will provide grants to cover 25 percent of the cost of replacing pre-1994 models. The balance of the funds will support low-interest loans that truckers will repay over five years. The port expects to recoup $26 million through loan repayments.
Participants in the truck replacement program would be required to scrap their older vehicles.
Numerous studies have shown that older trucks produce a disproportionate amount of air pollution at ports. New York-New Jersey officials said their replacement program would result in a reduction of approximately 120 tons of NOx, 14 tons of fine particulate matter, and 1,700 tons of greenhouse gases per year.
The port authority approved $32.9 million for the program, including administrative and other costs. Program funds will be administered by ACCION USA Inc., a nonprofit organization which helps small businesses that have difficulty obtaining credit. Tetra Tech will manage the overall program, including outreach, monitoring and reporting services. The port authority said it will conduct extensive marketing to encourage truck drivers to participate in the program, and that the agency will reach out to regional truck dealerships to provide information on how they can participate.
New York-New Jersey officials hope their plan will help the port avoid the kind of controversy that has accompanied clean-air initiatives in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where litigation resulted from the ports’ requirements that truckers obtain operating concessions.
Peter Keller, chief operating officer of NYK Line (Americas), commended New York-New Jersey officials for working with the private sector to reduce pollution from trucks. Keller is a leader in the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, which has led a private-sector initiative that has led to the replacement of 4,000 older trucks at Southern California ports.
Also speaking in support of the program were representatives of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, New York Shipping Association, Natural Resources Defense Council and several community groups.
The $28 million in the program approved Thursday includes $7 million in federal funds. Part of the money will provide grants to cover 25 percent of the cost of replacing pre-1994 models. The balance of the funds will support low-interest loans that truckers will repay over five years. The port expects to recoup $26 million through loan repayments.
Participants in the truck replacement program would be required to scrap their older vehicles.
Numerous studies have shown that older trucks produce a disproportionate amount of air pollution at ports. New York-New Jersey officials said their replacement program would result in a reduction of approximately 120 tons of NOx, 14 tons of fine particulate matter, and 1,700 tons of greenhouse gases per year.
The port authority approved $32.9 million for the program, including administrative and other costs. Program funds will be administered by ACCION USA Inc., a nonprofit organization which helps small businesses that have difficulty obtaining credit. Tetra Tech will manage the overall program, including outreach, monitoring and reporting services. The port authority said it will conduct extensive marketing to encourage truck drivers to participate in the program, and that the agency will reach out to regional truck dealerships to provide information on how they can participate.