SoCal Ports Delaying Clean-Trucks Fee
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., which were to have begun collecting a “clean trucks fee” Monday, said they will delay the fee collection pending resolution of outstanding regulatory issues.
An agreement filing relating to the ports’ arrangement with PortCheck is still pending with the Federal Maritime Commission, and collection will be delayed that filing’s issues are resolved, the ports said in a statement late Thursday.
“The terminal operators and ports continue to work with the FMC to resolve remaining questions about the program,” said Bruce Wargo, PortCheck’s chief executive officer. “We hope to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.”
PortCheck Inc. is the not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators to collect the clean trucks fees and administer a ban on older trucks at the ports.
The fees are $35 per 20-foot equivalent container or $70 for larger containers.
Preparations for the collections will continue, though a new start date for fee collection has not been set. PortCheck said it “strongly urges cargo owners to complete preparations for claiming cargo online and paying the [fee.]”
The clean-trucks program is aimed at cutting diesel emissions by banning 1988 and older trucks immediately at the two neighboring ports — which make up the nation’s largest port complex — and requiring 2007 emission standards engines by 2012.
Los Angeles’ plan includes a phased-in ban of independent owner-operators that is being challenged in federal court by American Trucking Associations, in addition to the FMC investigation.
