Oakland’s truck ban exceeds regulations

Port Board President Victor Uno said, “This is another step that clearly demonstrates our commitment to a healthy community. The strict truck ban will help us achieve our goal of reducing the health risk from diesel pollution from seaport sources.” The Port of Oakland ordinance that includes the drayage truck ban will go through a second reading on October 20, 2009.

As of January 1st 2010, drayage trucks with engine year models earlier than 1994 will be banned at the Oakland seaport. Drayage trucks with engine year models between 1994 and 2003 have to be retrofitted with diesel particulate filters to enter Port of Oakland maritime facilities.

The Port of Oakland’s drayage truck ban goes well beyond the requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations by establishing a turn-away requirement for noncompliant trucks at the seaport. The CARB regulations allow non-compliant trucks to serve the seaport so long as certain information about each truck is recorded and reported to CARB for enforcement.

The Port of Oakland truck ban would require that the seaport facility operator deny entry to drayage trucks, with very limited exceptions, for those who cannot demonstrate compliance with the CARB January 2010 clean trucks deadline. The Port of Oakland will continue coordinated outreach to the seaport trucking community and maritime terminal customers to provide the latest information about the CARB regulations, the drayage truck ban and other important information regarding the Port’s Maritime Comprehensive Truck Management Program.