SAN PEDRO, CA – The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved up to $44.2 million in Port funding toward the 2009 Clean Truck Incentive Program at the Port of Los Angeles. The 2009 incentives will be used to help bring trucks into service at the Port that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), or lithium battery electric power. This initiative follows a successful 2008 incentive program deployed more than 2,200 trucks that currently meet or exceed 2007 U.S. EPA emission standards. Since the October 2008 launch of the Clean Truck Program, pollution at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex has been reduced by more than 23 percent, according to Port officials.

"Natural gas technologies offer a variety of environmental benefits that make them a good fit for drayage in this market," said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. "Through this program, we will help truck operators purchase alternative fuel trucks and continue our aggressive efforts to reduce port truck emissions."

The funds will be used to offer concessionaires in the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program incentives of up to $80,000 for each LNG or CNG truck purchase. Port terminal operators or concessionaires can also receive up to 80 percent of negotiated cost for each electric truck purchased for terminal or drayage truck use. Because the Port's 1,000-truck goal for 2009 (900 LNG/CNG trucks and 100 electric trucks) will cost up to $100 million, it is applying for grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Energy Commission. Within the next 30 days, the Port will publish program guidelines and begin accepting letters of intent.    

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as "America's Port," has received numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award.