The program seeks to eliminate old polluting trucks from the ports. The program in October 2008 banned trucks made before 1989. But on Jan. 1, a more stringent ban extends to all trucks made before 1994 and those that have an engine made before 2004.
It’s unclear how many trucks will be sidelined as a result, but the number is a big one. The ports earlier estimated that as many as 12,000 trucks would fall into that criteria, but last week the L.A. port estimated 4,000 to 6,000 trucks would be banned Jan. 1.
A new diesel truck costs about $100,000, while retrofitting a truck with a new engine costs about $10,000 to $15,000. Many small trucking firms, already scraping by on low margins, paying off existing trucks and whacked by the downturn in business at the ports, say it’s not worth it to load up on debt to stay in the industry.
As with most things, the costs will be often be known and immediate, but the benefits will be hard to measure and not for some time. The dirty trucks will end up in Mexico or some other place, the drivers will find new work or move out of the state.
Hopefully, other ports across the country adopt the standards imposed here in Southern California, then at least the playing field will be even.
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