Massport and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have established a "Clean Truck" program giving owners of older trucks servicing Conley Container Terminal an incentive to replace the vehicles with ones that are 2007 emission compliant or newer. A total of $1.5 million, including a $500,000 EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant announced today will provide truck owners with 50 percent of the replacement cost up to $25,000 of older trucks.
Massport and the EPA expect up to 60 older trucks will be replaced, with truck owners contributing at least half of the replacement cost. The newer trucks will dramatically reduce lifetime emissions resulting in significant air quality and public health benefits. The program is expected to improve air quality in and around the South Boston terminal at a time when container shipments are projected to grow by up to 50 percent in the coming years.
Older trucks serving Conley are a primary source of port-related air emissions. In January, Massport submitted a grant application to the EPA for $500,000 to replace trucks that are 15 to 26 years old with a 2007 emission compliant truck. In June, the Massport Board voted to get the Clean Truck Program underway with or without federal funding, by providing $1 million in support.
Massport also plans to build a Conley Terminal Dedicated Freight Corridor roadway for container trucks and other industrial traffic between Conley and Summer Street at a point south of the Reserved Channel.
The Clean Truck Program and the freight corridor are the most recent in a long line of Massport efforts to reduce air emissions associated with all of its transportation-related operations.
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