New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer are teaming up to allow port cities to set their own fuel efficiency standards for trucks.
“Congress must act to provide New York, and cities all across the country, with the common sense tools they need to improve the quality of air and quality of life for millions of people,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s time to update federal laws and allow our nation’s ports to help reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality for all New Yorkers by putting clean trucks on the road.”
The Clean Ports Act of 2011 would allow local ports, including the Port Authority, to regulate and enforce fuel-efficient truck programs that go beyond current federal mandates. The cities would have the authority to set standards, reduce emissions and improve air quality by replacing older diesel trucks with cleaner vehicles without imposing the burden onto truck drivers.
The House version of the bill was introduced by another local congressman, Jerry Nadler.
In a release, Mr. Schumer and Ms. Gillibrand note that cities like New York and Los Angeles have made great strides in reducing pollution around their ports, but have been hampered by a lack of federal involvement.