Port of L.A. to Allow Some Extensions for Older Trucks
The Port of Los Angeles said Wednesday it will allow a limited number of truckers to continue operating their existing trucks past a Jan. 1 deadline for cleaner trucks.
The modifications follow and are designed to be consistent with a ruling last week by the California Air Resources Board that allows truckers who have purchased a new truck or retrofitted rigs with private funds to continue to operate their existing truck until April 30, while waiting for the new truck to be delivered or the retrofit to be installed.
The next phase of the so-called clean trucks plan is slated to begin Jan. 1, when 1993 and older trucks will be banned, and 1994-2003 trucks will need to be retrofitted or replaced.
The extension amendment will allow the same extension as CARB, but to qualify for the extension based on private purchase of a retrofit, trucks must be a Level 3 retrofit and must also have a 25% nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction capability.
The Port of Long Beach has also approved similar amendments to its tariff, so if the retrofit on order does not have this additional NOx reduction capability, it will not meet the necessary requirements and the extension will not be allowed in either port, the port said.
