In his reporting on the LA Harbor Commission unanimously adopting a strong Clean Trucks Program, Los Angeles Times journalist Louis Sahagun recounted a memorable moment "marked by sharp comments directed by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn at Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission President Mario Cordero, who was a guest" at the historic proceedings:

Pointing a finger of blame at Cordero, whose commission recently rejected the employee provision on grounds that it would invite a lawsuit that could delay the clean truck program, Hahn said, "Shame on those who say ‘no' to the relationship between labor and clean air."

"I want you to go back to your side of the bridge and urge your commissioners to do the right thing," said Hahn, whose district includes the L.A. port. "You have broken faith with us." Hundreds of truckers in the audience responded with loud applause, a standing ovation and an ebullient chant: "Janice! Janice!"

This week, port drivers, enviros, public health advocates, and community groups are cheering Councilwoman Hahn on again, for refusing to take cover, à la Long Beach. In a Daily Breeze op-ed entitled "Port Program Gets Pollution Cleanup Rolling" the 15^th District leader was as resolute as ever on the sustainable solution for business, workers, and residents alike:

Working with a wide range of stakeholders, L.A. port officials developed a thoughtful and innovative policy that would both drastically reduce health risks and provide a stable workforce to drive the trucks. The [LA] Clean Trucks Program....will greatly improve efficiency at the port while reducing diesel emissions by 80 percent in the first five years alone.

The port will soon replace or finance the retrofit of every dirty diesel [port] truck...But in order to protect the investment, we must implement strong standards that would require - and reward - the trucking industry for assuming full responsibility for the trucks. These companies will employ the truckers, providing them with fair wages and benefits, and also be responsible for maintaining the trucks to keep the air clean...We need to encourage business investment in clean alternative-technology trucks and all the associated jobs to build and maintain those trucks.

At the San Pedro Bay Ports, there is a high road to clean air, and there is a low one. The latter has already resulted in industry legal action and total community outrage. We commend Los Angeles for moving forward on the path that addresses the public health impact and paves the way towards green growth.