NGVAmerica Applauds Actions by Port of Long Beach to Cut Pollution by Replacing Dirty Diesel Trucks

WASHINGTON--Yesterday, in an historic step, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voted to approve the final elements of a landmark Clean Trucks Program that will replace and modernize the entire port trucking fleet with natural gas and other cleaner trucks. The result will be the reduction of port-related air pollution by 80 percent within four years, according to the port.

“The Port of Long Beach just demonstrated why it is a leader in the clean ports movement,” said Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica. “This is an innovative and far-reaching program that will be a model for the rest of the country.”

Under the plan, the Port will help fund the replacement or retrofit of the thousands of drayage trucks that serve the port every day. Importantly, no less than half the trucks replaced through the program must be powered by non-petroleum, alternative fuel. “Liquefied natural gas will be the fuel of choice for these trucks,” said Kolodziej. “This will help achieve three public policy priorities simultaneously: reducing use of imported oil, reducing greenhouse gas production and reducing local air pollution. The combination of the Port plan and natural gas trucks are a win-win-win for the port, the state and the country.”

NGVAmerica is a national organization dedicated to the development of a growing, sustainable and profitable market for vehicles powered by natural gas or hydrogen. NGVAmerica represents more than 100 companies interested in the promotion and use of natural gas and hydrogen as transportation fuels, including: engine, vehicle and equipment manufacturers; fleet operators and service providers; natural gas companies; and environmental groups and government organizations. For more information about NGVAmerica, visit our website at www.ngvamerica.org