A broad group of retailers and other shippers are calling on the mayors of New York and Newark to withdraw their support for changes in federal law that they say would allow local regulators to bar independent owner-operators from harbor trucking.
The Journal of Commerce reported yesterday that "The 29 organizations, including the National Retail Federation and the National Industrial Transportation League, said they had “grave disappointment” with support the mayors announced Oct. 19 for the effort led by the Port of Los Angeles, which has targeted independent operators as part of its effort to limit truck pollution at the port. "
In a letter to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the organizations say they "fully support efforts by the ports, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to improve their air quality."
The organizations argue that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (and the NRDC) have been claiming that port trucking services should be exempted from federal preemption in order to improve air quality but that the union's real goal is "to eliminate competition from small independent businesses in favor of companies that the Teamsters believe could be more easily organized."
Among the organizations signing the letter were the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, the New York State Motor Truck Association, and the New York Shipping Association.
Related:
Clean Trucks Settlement a Boon for Clean Air
CRT Sets the Record Straight on Port Air Quality
LA Ports Meet Clean Air Goals Years Ahead of Schedule
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Thursday, November 5, 2009
NY/NJ Port shippers see wolf in 'green' costume
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2 comments:
Frank - First of all, you left a very important legal fact out of this post. As reported in the LA Times on 4/20/09, the regulatory ban was NOT impacted by the Court decision:
"supporters of the nation's most ambitious effort to clean the air around a major seaport complex said that the most important part of the plan -- bringing in newer and cleaner trucks -- would proceed.
"We are still banning older trucks and collecting the clean-truck fee to fund replacement trucks," said Richard D. Steinke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. "That allows us to achieve our goal of cleaning the air and protecting the health of our community."
Second, why are so called environmentalists turning NJ's polluter pays policy on its head by promoting a scheme to pay polluters not to pollute? THe LA Port scheme included a $20,000 per truck "incentive".
Third, now that Booker and Bloomberg on are the same page, where is Christie? Why were NJ gubernatorial candidates given a pass on this issue? NJEF supposedly works on diesel pollution.
Bil Wolfe
(A real wolf in Wolfe's clothing!)
Frank - given that it IS and remains legal for state and local governments to regulate - even ban - port truck diesel emissions, where is NJ DEP and the City of Newark?
The call for new federal legislation becomes an excuse for inaction.
Why aren't enviro's pushing for regulations and raising objections about delays in reducing port emissions that are killing urban residents?
Bill Wolfe
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