The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday, October 29,
 will consider a proposed Clean Trucks Program tariff that would
 progressively ban the dirtiest trucks and ensure that only clean trucks call at
 Port of Long Beach shipping terminals. 

The port tariff would achieve an 80 percent reduction in truck
 emissions over a period of just more than five years. (Port tariffs are the
 rules, regulations and charges governing business at the Port.)

The dirty truck ban would start October 1, 2008, by excluding pre-1989
 trucks. By January 1, 2014, trucks that do not meet 2007 federal
 standards would be banned from Port service.

The Port of Long Beach is proposing this action after carefully
 considering all testimony and input from stakeholders, the results of special
 economic studies, and regulatory action proposed by the California Air
 Resources Board (CARB).

"The Port is proposing this action in order to start cleaning the air
 as soon as possible," said Richard D. Steinke, Port of Long Beach
 Executive Director. "The tariff will help us improve air quality and still
 allow the drayage truck market to find solutions to move goods without
 interruption or economic disruption."

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission is scheduled to consider its own
 Clean Trucks Program tariff at its November 1 meeting.

The tariff proposed by the Port of Long Beach is consistent with CARB's
 proposed regulation on the drayage truck industry, which is scheduled
 for adoption in December. The port tariff, however, would provide clean
 air benefits earlier than CARB's proposed schedule.

The tariff's ban will rely on proven electronic identification
 technology known as RFID - Radio Frequency Identification. RFID tags will be
 placed in trucks and RFID tag readers will be installed at Port terminal
 gates to ensure access only for clean trucks.

Port of Long Beach staff will continue to work with the Port of Los
 Angeles staff on other elements that were contained in the draft Clean
 Trucks Program for the two ports.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to meet at 1
 p.m. on October 29. For more information or to view live webcast of the
 meeting, go to www.polb.com. The board meets in the board room of the
 Port Administration Building at 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach.