Port of Oakland to freight haulers: There’s money to clear the air

Oakland, Calif. – January 12, 2018:  Port of Oakland officials are making an 11th hour financial pitch to freight haulers this month.  Their message: the state of California has millions of dollars available for purchasing new, lower-emission trucks and cargo-handling equipment.

The Port is meeting with trucking company owners and harbor drivers to inform them about clean-truck grants.  Among the opportunities:

• $48 million from a 2006 state ballot measure for purchasing rigs that range from natural gas-powered to electric;
• More than $16 million from California’s Carl Moyer air quality program for everything from new trucks to marine terminal cargo handling equipment; and
• Up to $150,000 per unit in vouchers through the state’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Project.

The Port is encouraging truckers to sign up in an effort to reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in Oakland.  Previous clean-truck programs have cut diesel particulate matter emissions 98 percent at the Port since 2005.

“We’ve made significant progress in Oakland in partnership with air quality regulators and harbor truckers,” said Diane Heinze, the Port’s Environmental Supervisor.  “Now it’s time to ramp up the effort as new clean-air technology becomes available.”

The Port has announced that it will introduce an updated clean air plan in 2018 to attack air emissions.  It said that the plan would include working with industry, public sector and community partners to bring grant funding to Oakland.

Officials from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District participated in a meeting with Port truckers this week.  The Port plans a follow-up meeting with approximately 50 harbor drivers and trucking company owners Jan. 22.  Timing is critical, the Port said, because the air district’s deadline is Jan. 26 for goods movement grants.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Media Contacts:
Mike Zampa
Communications Manager
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1565
[email protected]

Marilyn Sandifur
Port Spokesperson
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1193
Click here to contact Marilyn Sandifur

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