SAN PEDRO, CA --- Through a joint effort of the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), a new round of Clean Truck Program grant funding was initiated July 10.  

This program, which includes Prop 1B funding from the California State Air Resources Board (CARB), will focus on helping truck operators purchase alternative-fueled trucks between now and the end of the year. The grant program will provide licensed motor carriers with up to $100,000 (per truck) toward the purchase of alternative fuel trucks, and is expected to put a minimum of 500 new, ultra-low emission vehicles on the road by year's end. 

"These funds will help truck operators speed the replacement of older trucks with the latest generation of clean, alternative-fuel vehicles," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz. "This funding is particularly timely with the next phase of the progressive truck ban beginning on January 1, 2010 when pre-1994 and un-retrofitted 1994-2003 will be prohibited from entering port terminals." 

The AQMD will administer the program and opened the solicitation for applications based on State Prop 1B guidelines. The deadline for submission of the applications is July 24. The AQMD expects to release the rankings list of approved grant candidates in early September 2009 with funding contracts completed by the end of October 2009.  This timeline supports the delivery of new trucks by the end of 2009.