The Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Truck Program has received the 2012 California Air Quality Award from the nonprofit healthy environment advocate Coalition for Clean Air.
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Cindy Miscikowski, former Harbor Commission President David Freeman, former Commission Vice President Jerilyn López Mendoza and Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz were all recognized during a June 21 ceremony in Los Angeles for their role in establishing and stewardship of the Clean Truck Program.
The program, which was implemented in 2008, established a progressive ban at the port of older, more polluting drayage trucks.
“Prior to the start of the Clean Truck Program in 2008, there was no accountability for the thousands of trucks that called at the Port of Los Angeles,” Miscikowski said. “Today, we’ve slashed harmful emissions by approximately 90 percent and each of the trucks hauling cargo meets the strictest clean air and safety standards of any port in the world.”
The program has also led to the introduction of about 900 alternative-fuel trucks to the fleet and the testing of electric trucks, according to the port.
Other honorees during the ceremonies included comedian and talk show host Jay Leno for his longstanding dedication to the promotion of zero-emission vehicles; and Martin Daum, President and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America for achievements in alternative fuel technologies in the Freightliner truck line.
