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.
House Bill 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 57 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 today's 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 Congress should look under the hood and fix the outdated federal laws that are stalling economic and environmental progress and keeping America’s workers off the road to recovery.”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
Sign the Petition in Support of the Clean Ports Act of 2010
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.
By signing the petition, you can send the message 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!
LATEST RESEARCH
From Clean To Clunker: The Economics of Emissions Control
Less than a week before the trucking industry puts the U.S. EPA award-winning LA Clean Trucks Program on trial, a new report issued by several reputable "blue-green" organizations warns that Southern California trucking companies must resume financial responsibility for their fleet or the new engines will pollute. Port drivers who lack sufficient resources to properly maintain their company's clean trucks and are often forced to skimp on repairs stood alongside their environmental, community and labor advocates to present "From Clean to Clunker: The Economics of Emissions Control" to the Los Angeles Boards of Harbor Commissioners.
Learn more:
- Read the press release (PDF)
- Download the report (PDF)
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.(more)
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. (more)
