Port Of New Orleans Receives Award For Truck Program
The Port of New Orleans this month received an Environmental Leadership Award from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for implementation of its Clean Truck Replacement Incentive Program (Clean TRIP), which pairs federal and state clean diesel grant funds to help truck owners replace old diesel cargo trucks with newer, cleaner-burning models.
Under the program, truck owners wishing to replace vehicles were eligible to receive up to $35,000, or half the cost of a new truck.
“Truck drivers play a vital role in the international supply chain, and we’re proud of the positive impact the Clean TRIP program has had on the environment as well as on the port’s trucking community,” Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy Christian said. “Clean TRIP also supports a community dialog around air quality and health benefits.”
Thus far, 40 trucks have been replaced with new models that offer cleaner-burning engines. The reductions in emissions associated with those 40 new trucks is equivalent to removing the nitrogen oxides of 3,800 cars from roadways and removing the particulate matter of 35,000 cars from area roadways.
“The Environmental Leadership Awards are not just about ‘doing better,’” said Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Secretary Chuck Carr Brown. “LDEQ recognizes these companies, governmental entities, organizations and individuals for forward-looking and proactive solutions to existing problems that lead to continued environmental improvement in the future. That eye to the future is perfectly illustrated by the Port of New Orleans’ Clean Truck Replacement Incentive Program.
“This is a benefit to New Orleans’ air quality that will continue to accrue over the life of these vehicles,” Brown added. “Well done, Port of New Orleans.”
According to the Port of New Orleans, the program also resulted in a significant local economic impact, with more than nine out of 10 participants identifying as private owner-operators and minority-owned businesses. Combining port administration costs, grant dollars and owners’ contributions, the program has resulted in a total air quality investment of more than $2.4 million.
Partners in the program include LDEQ, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Planning Commission, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, University of New Orleans, LSU Health Sciences Center and the Environmental Defense Fund.
The Port of New Orleans reports that, due to the popularity of the Clean TRIP program, there is currently a waiting list of more than 40 truck owners interested in retiring older vehicles in favor of cleaner-burning trucks. The Port of New Orleans is working to secure additional grant funds in order to continue the program.
To learn more, visit cleantrip-portno.com.
