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South Coast Air Quality Management District frees up $45 million
in grant funds for cleaner trucks. 

Air Resources Board

Release 09-77

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:	Leo Kay					
(916)322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

ARB clears way for Southern California port truck grants

SACRAMENTO:  The Air Resources Board today sent a grant
agreement to the South Coast Air Quality Management District that
will immediately free up $45 million in grant funds for truckers
to replace diesel trucks operating in and out of the ports of
Long Beach and Los Angeles.

As of Jan. 1, truck owners throughout the state will need to
upgrade their trucks under ARB’s Drayage Truck Rule, which
requires particulate filters to be installed or old trucks to be
replaced.  In Southern California, the Ports of Los Angeles and
Long Beach are only allowing newer trucks.  

Local air districts are processing the applications submitted
for Proposition 1B funding, which requires projects that will
achieve the greatest emission reductions with each state bond
dollar.  The program is intended to cut diesel pollution through
incentives to help individuals and businesses that have already
made the capital investment in the old equipment take action to
clean up that equipment ahead of, or beyond, the requirements of
ARB rules.  

“This new funding in the South Coast is specifically targeted
for port truckers looking to replace their old, dirty models,”
said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “This program, especially
combined with our suite of other diesel activities, will provide
cleaner skies right away for our port communities.  Of course,
the applicant must already own an older truck and be ready to buy
a clean new truck when the state check clears.”

ARB is allocating $45 million in voter-approved Proposition 1B
funds to truck owners and operators looking to upgrade their
fleets that serve the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with
cleaner models, with an additional $49 million in the pipeline. 
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the South Coast Air
Quality Management District are contributing an additional $17.5
million in supplemental funding for alternative fuel replacement
trucks.

The ARB listed diesel particulate matter as a toxic air
contaminant over a decade ago in order to protect public health.
Exposure to unsafe levels of diesel emissions can increase the
risk of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every
Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy
consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and
cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov

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