A Smart California Port Policy for the Green-Growth Future, Spearheaded by Progressives - Part II

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Patricia Castellanos & Doug Bloch
Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports

Yesterday, we wrote about a bold environmental initiative adopted by the Port of Los Angeles that has both blue and green progressives cheering along with leading Democrats. The new policy will end third-world wages for thousands of truckers and pave the way for a world-class port equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton came on board with strong letters of support to California’s port city mayors. Senator Barbara Boxer praised Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his leadership and determination on the policy. LA City Councilwoman Janice Hahn refused to let any “green-washing” stand in the way of truly sustainable relief for Southern Californians.

Now Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has taken her endorsement of the Los Angeles Clean Trucks Program straight to the Federal Maritime Commission, urging the agency to prevent a few industry obstructionists from ruining clean air for everyone. The Speaker of the House called the solution “critical” to overcome environmental legal challenges to “move forward with long-delayed infrastructure projects to improve capacity.”

This kind of leadership has caught on amongst local and state Democratic leaders near other West Coast ports as well. Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums has long articulated a vision for the city that does not see environmental justice and a competitive playing field for business as mutually exclusive. Under pressure from the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, officials led by Port Commissioner Margaret Gordon are now examining the issues. Assemblymembers Sandré Swanson and Loni Hancock have endorsed a clean trucks proposal that includes a strong local hire component, expected be unveiled in the coming months.

LA’s model has captured the backing of Party progressives because it establishes standards under which trucking firms can participate in a green economy that is critical for global trade’s long-term sustainability. The payoff is the nation’s busiest port will reduce diesel truck pollution by 80 percent in the next five years, lift nearly 17,000 workers out of poverty and jump start a new market for LNG and other alt-fuel trucks.

It works like this: Scrap all the old, diesel-spewing trucks along with the antiquated “independent contractor” system that created dire economic conditions that led to an environmental crisis in the first place. Create powerful incentives for rapid alt-fuel truck turnover, which in turn drives down the current cost of clean technology vehicles. Require enforceable standards for trucking companies to transition to a mature, asset-based employee system to stabilize the workforce, improve security, ensure safety compliance, and maintain a clean fleet in the long-term.