By Karen Robes Meeks
Harbor leaders from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will decide on a Clean Truck Fund Rate proposal on March 9.
The ports are proposing a rate of $10 per TEU that would be charged to beneficial cargo owners for loaded cargo to be moved by non-zero emission or low-nitrogen oxides (NOx) trucks.
“On average, $18 per container will be collected, which is anticipated to generate $90 million in the first year,” according to the ports. “The money collected from the Clean Truck Fund Rate each year will be used to incentivize the turnover of the existing drayage trucking fleet to the cleaner trucks.”
If approved, a few steps will need to be taken before the ports can collect the fees. The California Air Resources Board will need to establish its low-NOx engine emission standard, and the ports will need to set up a mechanism to collect the rate at the gates. Both actions are expected to take place in the spring. Collecting the rate would start shortly after.
The joint meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, Calif. It will also be available on livestream at www.polb.com/commission/board-meetings/#board-meetings.
