A ruling by a California court upholds the legality of the Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Truck Program and may improve the air you breathe by ensuring commercial trucks preform appropriate maintenance according to a press release Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Commercial trucking companies have in the past forced maintenance onto truckers employed as independent contractors, rather than ensure their trucking fleets were appropriately maintained. The legal ruling now places responsibility of maintaining their trucking fleet on the commercial trucking companies.

“This victory bolsters the standing of burgeoning clean port programs across the nation,” said Melissa Lin Perrella, senior attorney with NRDC’s Southern California Air Program. “Millions of people live in port communities across the country and are forced to subsidize the operations of outdated port operations with their lungs. This decision allows the Port of Los Angeles to continue introducing cleaner trucks while getting dirty ones off the road and sets the stage for healthier communities nationwide.”

The Clean Truck Program is designed to significantly reduce truck-related emissions and to manage and maintain these trucks for the long-term. “It’s essential we sustain the clean air achievements of LA’s clean truck program,” said David Pettit, senior attorney and director of NRDC’s Southern California Air Program. “Without regular truck maintenance, the region will be back at square one in terms of air pollution attributed to diesel trucks and port residents can’t afford that.”

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