Oakland, CA 1-04-10 – Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, California Air Resources Board (CARB), Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Port of Oakland announced a two-week implementation period to allow truckers to access the Port of Oakland. The purpose is to allow hundreds of truckers subject to the state diesel regulation to continue operating while their prior grant applications are processed for eligibility for newly released state funding. CARB announced last week that it was making an additional $11 million available in funding for truck retrofits and truck replacements at Oakland. The state funding allows for $5,000 per eligible truck and a maximum of $50,000 per eligible purchase toward truck replacements in Proposition 1B monies. Truckers must re-activate their applications by coming to the truck center (OT411) at the Port of Oakland Jan. 4 through Jan. 8.

To allow these trucks now in line for funding to continue operating at the Port of Oakland while the existing grant applications are re-evaluated, there will be a two-week implementation period for all trucks serving the Port of Oakland. After the two weeks, eligible trucks will be able to continue operating under a CARB-issued extension when the grace period ends Monday, Jan. 18 at midnight.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin said, "We are truly appreciative of Mayor Dellums and our partners, CARB and the Air District, for the collaborative efforts being made to help fund more clean trucks. This is important for two reasons: it will make it easier for some truckers to be able to continue their livelihood during this challenging economic time and it will continue to clean up the air for a healthier community."

Truckers who made a timely application for retrofit funding to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in 2008 and 2009 but were denied when the money ran out, and who will be unable to enter the Port when the new rule goes into effect, are potentially eligible for the grants. In addition, truckers who applied and qualified for replacement funding in 2008, but were denied in 2009 when the money ran out, are also eligible. Those who meet all of the Proposition 1B eligibility criteria will receive an extension as soon as possible but no later than February to operate their trucks at ports and rail yards until April 30. To allow these trucks now in line for funding to continue operating at the Port of Oakland while the existing grant applications are evaluated, the Port will allow a two-week grace period (ending Monday, Jan. 18 at midnight). At that point, eligible trucks will be able to continue operating under a CARB-issued extension when the marine terminal operators ramp up implementation of the CARB regulations.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport offers 140 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Please visit: www.portofoakland.com

Media Contacts:

Port of Oakland
Marilyn Sandifur, Port Spokesperson
Media & Public Relations Department
(510) 627-1193
Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur