| November 6, 2009 The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has approved $34
million in grant funding to replace more than 600 dirty diesel trucks
operating in and around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with new,
low-emission models.
Today’s award will supplement funding approved by AQMD’s Governing Board in
September, helping to replace a total of about 1,500 dirty diesel trucks at
the ports within the next few months.
“As recent research indicates, we need to act quickly to protect public
health from toxic diesel exhaust, especially along heavily traveled
corridors,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., chairman of AQMD’s Governing
Board. “This funding is extraordinary, allowing not only the single largest
turnover of dirty diesel trucks in the ports, but the quickest turnaround.”
Through its Goods Movement Program, the California Air Resources Board has
allocated $34 million in voter-approved Proposition 1B funds to AQMD for the
replacement of dirty diesel trucks. The funding is in addition to $45.5
million approved in September.
AQMD and the ports have committed an additional $28.5 million to further
incentivize replacement with natural gas trucks.
A high percentage of the region’s oldest and highest-emitting heavy-duty
trucks consist of “drayage” trucks hauling containers at the ports of Los
Angeles and Long Beach to and from regional rail yards.
The funds are needed now to help the trucking industry meet the state’s
drayage truck regulation which will not allow any pre-1994 trucks or
pre-2004 trucks not retrofitted with particulate matter (PM) traps to enter
the ports after Jan. 1, 2010.
Truckers approved for funding will receive up to $50,000 to replace a
pre-2004 diesel truck with a 2007 or later diesel model and up to $100,000
to replace a pre-2004 diesel truck with an alternative-fuel, less polluting
model typically powered by natural gas.
In other action today, the AQMD Board:
• Approved amendments to Rule 1111 –
Reduction of NOx Emissions from Natural- Gas-Fired, Fan-Type Central
Furnaces to lower the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions limit for the majority
of new residential condensing, non-condensing and weatherized heating
furnaces from 40 nanograms per Joule to 14 nanograms per Joule, a 65 percent
reduction. The rule also for the first time establishes a NOx limit on new
furnaces installed in mobile homes. The new emissions limit will be phased
in over six years, beginning in 2012. AQMD is offering up to $3 million in
financial incentives for manufacturers that comply with the rule before the
deadline. AQMD also has committed $1 million to fund up to four technology
assessment projects prior to rule implementation. The amendments are
estimated to reduce NOx emissions by 2.5 tons per day in 2023; and
• Awarded $5.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to
co-fund a publicly accessible liquefied natural gas (LNG) station in Las
Vegas, Nev. and the development and deployment of 48 UPS LNG-fueled trucks
for operation between Las Vegas and Ontario. The funding will support the
UPS Ontario-Las Vegas LNG Corridor Extension Project to allow heavy-duty LNG
trucks to effectively travel along a 700-mile route from the ports of Los
Angeles and Long Beach to Salt Lake City along Interstate 15.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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