Next month, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will begin accepting comment on its proposal to bar trucks with older engines from the ports.
By March 1, it would require new trucks that want to serve the port have engines meeting 2007 Environmental Protection Agency on-road emissions standards. The proposal also would deny access to trucks with 1994 and 1995 engines by Jan. 1, 2018.
Additionally, the port authority announced Jan. 7 it would supplement a $9 million federal grant it anticipates receiving with $1.2 million for its Truck Replacement Program. This would provide $10.2 million to replace about 400 trucks currently serving the port with 1994 and 1995 engines. Port official said they would continue pursuing additional TRP funding.
The authority also is working with financial institutions to see if low-interest loans can be made available to replace trucks with 1996-2006 engines that currently enter the port. Its initial replacement program accepted applications 2010-2013 and through federal grants, replaced 429 older trucks. Officials will post the proposal on the port website at www.panynj.gov for a 30-day comment period that starts in February. They will accept feedback via email at publiccomments@panynj.gov
