Shipper ‘White Paper’ Backs Fees on Calif. Port Truckers

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A coalition of shippers and marine terminal operators are supporting an overhaul of regulations in California that would include fees on port drayage trucks that do not meet environmental standards, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported Monday.The group, led by the National Retail Federation, released an industry “white paper” that would collect fees on out-of-compliance drayage trucks that would help purchase newer trucks, but recommended using state bonds for infrastructure and not truck replacement programs, the Press-Telegram reported. The white paper — written with input from shippers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot as well as Union Pacific railroad — denounced state-mandated container fees such as those proposed by California State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D), as unconstitutional.Lowenthal took issue with the report’s suggestions, saying they would place an unfair burden on port truckers by instituting tolls and fees to pay for equipment replacement and infrastructure upgrades, the Press-Telegram said.The report also backed new statewide emission standards for all heavy-duty trucks in the state. The California Air Resources Board is considering separate emission standards for trucks used in the state’s ports versus and used elsewhere in the state.Port trucks make up about 2% of heavy-duty trucks in the state. The white paper was not endorsed by any local or trucking groups, which have traditionally opposed roadway tolls and fees, the Press Telegram said.