Oakland Port Commission Accelerates Vote Timeline

Tuesday evening, the Oakland Port Commission voted to bring a Comprehensive Truck Management Plan (CTMP) up for a vote on May 21st. The CTMP is aimed at reducing Port truck diesel pollution and improving the quality of life for people living and working in and around the Port. The Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports applauds this important step forward in the fight for good jobs and clean air in our community.

“The Port Commission’s action to set a vote on the CTMP for May 21st is the bold leadership needed to reduce toxic diesel soot that is contributing to high rates of asthma and cancer and to raise standards of Port truck drivers who toil in sweatshop working conditions,” said Shirley Burnell, West Oakland resident and ACORN member.

After receiving assurances from Port Executive Director Omar Benjamin that an accelerated timeline was indeed possible, Commissioner James Head offered a motion setting May 21st as the date for a CTMP vote and Commissioner Pamela Calloway seconded the motion. (Commissioners Head and Calloway are Mayor Ron Dellums’ two most recent appointments to the Port Commission). Commission President Victor Uno, Commissioners Margaret Gordon and Mark McClure also voted in favor of the motion. Port staff also gave an update on the status of the Beacon Economics study. Although the study was initially delayed for several months due to Port staffing issues, we are pleased to learn that the first draft will be completed this week.

“After more than two arduous years of the Comprehensive Truck Management Plan development process, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports Director Doug Bloch. “On Tuesday, we breathed a small collective sigh of relief knowing that we may well be on the road to significantly reducing the diesel air pollution that contributes to a public health crisis in our community. But be assured, we will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to have a plan ready for the Commission to vote on by the May 21st deadline.”

New State regulations issued by the California Air Resources Board mandating cleaner Port trucks are scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2010. Prior to Tuesday’s Port Commission meeting, a timeline was posted on the Port of Oakland website indicating that a vote on the CTMP would not take place until August. The Coalition had very serious concerns about whether waiting until August for a CTMP vote would allow the Port, the trucking industry and Port drivers enough time to come into compliance with the new State clean truck regulations.

The Coalition is pushing for a sustainable CTMP that makes the industry – not the truck drivers –responsible for cleaning up the truck fleet by putting an end to the independent contractor system. The Coalition also advocates for a local hire program for residents in Port-impacted communities and support for small, local businesses who want to operate at the Port.