We are an unprecedented alliance that is united against pollution and poverty at our nation’s ports. Our solution – the LA Clean Truck Program – has put workers and the community on the road to clean air, but a backwards-looking industry threatens our progress. Our fight for the good jobs and green growth that a 21st century port trucking business model promises will prevail.
JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF LA CLEAN TRUCK PROGRAM!
The Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports is cheering the news that a U.S. District judge lifted an injunction and upheld the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program in its entirety! The coast-to-coast coalition of over 125 organizations has advocated for LA’s EPA award-winning model, and has led the fight to protect and replicate it nationwide for several years.
A Long Beach mother of a child who suffers from respiratory illness due to port truck pollution celebrated the decision while promising to continue fighting for a permanent fix.
“This victory inspires us to keep fighting. Ports around the country should not have to waste so much time and money to fight industry bullies that want to continue evading responsibility,” said Silvia Martinez. “Our fight will continue until Congress passes the Clean Ports Act of 2010, because mothers like me shouldn’t have to show our 3-year-olds how to use an inhaler.”
Judge: LA Port’s Clean Truck Program Can Proceed, Associated Press, 8/27/10
Judge Rules Port of L.A. Can Fully Implement Clean Trucks Program, The Daily Breeze, 8/26/10
Judge Upholds L.A.'s 'Clean Truck' Initiative, Los Angeles Times, 8/26/10
Clean Ports Act of 2010 Will Create Green Jobs, Stimulate the Economy
A nationwide coalition of 120 environmental, public health, labor, business, consumer advocacy, faith and community organizations today applauded Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and more than 65 other House members from 15 states for introducing promising new legislation that would accelerate the speed and success of clean fleet turnover plans at U.S. seaports, lower public health costs for taxpayers, and help America’s truck drivers re-enter the ranks of the middle class.
A joint op-ed in Politico by the Chairman of the Sierra Club and General President of the Teamsters summed it up: “The Clean Ports Act is the best way to eliminate the sweatshops on wheels that have plagued a critical U.S. industry for too long. Congress should look under the hood and fix the outdated federal laws that are stalling economic and environmental progress and keeping America’s workers off the road to recovery.”
Read the Press Release from the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports
SUPPORT THE CLEAN PORTS ACT OF 2010 - SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
The Clean Ports Act of 2010 will give local communities more power to enforce labor and environmental programs like the EPA award-winning Los Angeles Clean Truck Program, which has already removed thousands of dirty diesel rigs from our community and put 6,600 new clean vehicles on the road - all while creating thousands of green trucking jobs.
SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
By signing the petition, you can send a message to our elected leaders in Washington, DC that we are counting on their leadership. Ports need the right regulations so truck drivers and taxpayers don’t have to pay to clean up the industry’s diesel mess.
Add your name to the list of Americans who are counting on these Members of Congress to carry federal legislation that will ensure Clean Air and Good Jobs: sign the petition today!
OUR VOICES
Local residents, workers, students and port truck drivers are in the fight of their lives. While local community members have joined the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports in the struggle for a sustainable solution against poverty and pollution - irresponsible industry players have focused their efforts on evading their responsibility and passing the cost on to drivers and port residents.
Francisco Martinez - Port Truck Driver
I’ve worked at the ports for over 10 years and it’s never been this bad for us truck drivers. Right now the companies are passing the cost of cleaning the air on to workers by forcing us to lease the new trucks. Most of us have to work over 16 hours a day just to pay off the company’s truck.
Bernice Banares – Long Beach Resident & School Teacher
I grew up around the ports and currently teach at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach. My entire life has been affected by the horrible pollution in our community. I have asthma, all five of my children have asthma, my students have asthma and the toll on our lives is an everyday ordeal.
