The California Air Resources Board sent a grant agreement to the South Coast Air Quality Management District that will free up $45 million in funds for truckers to replace diesel trucks
operating in an out of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Under the board's new Drayage Truck Rule, effective Jan. 1, truck owners will be required to install particulate filters or replace old trucks. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are only allowing newer trucks.

Local air districts are processing the applications submitted for Proposition 1B funding, which requires projects that will achieve the greatest emission reductions with each state bond dollar. The program is intended to cut diesel pollution through incentives to help individuals and businesses that have already made the capital investment in the old equipment take action to clean up that equipment ahead of, or beyond, the requirements of ARB rules.

"This new funding in the South Coast is specifically targeted for port truckers looking to replace their old, dirty models," said Mary Nichols, ARB chairman. "This program, especially combined with our suite of other diesel activities, will provide cleaner skies right away for our port communities. Of course, the applicant must already own an older truck and be ready to buy a clean new truck when the state check clears."

The board is allocating an initial $45 million to the initiative, with another $49 million in the pipeline. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the South Coast Air Quality Management District are contributing an additional $17.5 million in supplemental funding for alternative fuel replacement trucks.

More info: www.arb.ca.gov