CRT Launches Full-Page Ad Campaign Announcing Roll-Out of Clean Trucks
Long Beach
August 19, 2008
The Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT), an association of retailers, trucking companies, carriers and shippers, launched a newspaper advertising campaign on Monday in the Long Beach Press-Telegram and the Daily Breeze to highlight its proactive efforts to help reduce truck emissions, enhance air quality, and better the lives of Long Beach residents. The ad, entitled “It’s Time to Clear the Air,” also recognizes the work of Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who has vigorously challenged industry stakeholders to replace older-model trucks.
“We are putting clean trucks on the road as quickly as we can, because we want to create a sustainable environment in Long Beach,“ said Rick Gabrielson, one of the founding members of CRT. “With leading industry stakeholders like CRT working proactively to meet 2007 and even 2010 EPA standards in advance, we know we’re at the forefront of providing cleaner, safer, and more reliable goods movement at the Port.”
CRT has developed a plan for independent owner-operators to obtain 2007 emissions standard-compliant vehicles by providing them with financial assistance so they can retrofit existing trucks to meet the new standards. In doing so, CRT is enabling independent owner-operators to meet these requirements over a reasonable period of time.
In keeping with the spirit of the Clean Air Action Plan of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CRT has been developing voluntary industry solutions that tackle truck replacement and truck emissions reduction while addressing the concerns of local residents, community leaders and environmental groups.
For more information please contact James Jack at (916) 880-3008
CRT Ad Generates Momentum
Long Beach
August 20, 2008
CRT made a big splash in Southern California on Monday with our “It’s Time to Clear the Air” newspaper ad in both the Long Beach Press Telegram and the Daily Breeze. But our effort officially became a homerun when President Jim Hankla of the Long Beach Port Board of Commissioners commended CRT at their meeting this past Monday.
Check out the video by clicking the link here.
President Hankla's statement comes during the new business portion of the meeting. (Below the media player, select "new business" scroll down bar and click on "go".) His statement is just a few minutes long and can be found at marker 41.00 on the timer.
President Hankla made these comments in the context of his support for the "Green Flag" program for retailers. The Port's Green Flag program encourages ships entering the Port to reduce speed in order to reduce emissions. High compliance levels (90%) result in rebates on wharfage and other fees. He went on to say that a number of the companies affiliated with CRT are truly environmentally minded companies who should be encouraged to continue moving forward these innovative programs.
CRT Inaugural Press Conference
Yusen Terminals, Inc, Port of Los Angeles
August 3, 2007
Target Corporation
Rick Gabrielson, Senior Manager, Import Operations
“Target is extremely pleased to join TTSI and the NYK Group as a founding member of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation. The Coalition was conceived many months ago for the sole purpose of developing and implementing solutions to address the issue of truck related emissions.
We know this is a significant environmental issue impacting our businesses and our communities and therefore it requires a thoughtful and innovative solution. The Coalition feels strongly that by pooling together our public and private sector resources, we are better able to make decisions and identify solutions which are best for the industry as a whole. We certainly welcome additional members to the Coalition and extend an invitation to all interested parties.
As the nation’s second largest retailer, we at Target have had a long-standing commitment to the communities we serve. That commitment extends to the environment itself as well as the heath and safeness of community members. The Coalition and this program offer us the opportunity to have a tangible and positive impact on the LA/Long Beach community.”
NYK Group Companies, Peter Keller, President (NYK Line)
Peter Keller, President
“NYK Group Companies, NYK Liner, NYK Logistics and Yusen Terminals, are pleased to be founding members of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation. As a responsible global citizen, NYK is a leader in protecting air quality and the marine environment. From FY 1990 through FY 2005, CO2 emissions from NYK-owned vessels were reduced by 40 percent per ton of cargo transported. Of particular significance to San Pedro Bay communities, we have been burning low sulfur fuel oil at berth here since 2005 and recently announced that 38 of our new and existing frontline container vessels will be made capable of using shore side electric power.
Today, we are especially delighted to join forces with our coalition partners, Target and TTSI, to implement, in a relatively short period of time, a private-sector solution that provides clean, safe and reliable drayage service at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. While this is a first, small step, we believe that it represents an important initiative. We hope that the International Community of Shippers and Carriers will join the Coalition so we can all collectively bring needed changes to San Pedro Harbor drayage.”
Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) REMARKS
Victor La Rosa, President
Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI) is very proud to announce that we have developed a comprehensive plan to convert our fleet of 100 Drayage trucks in the San Pedro Basin within the next twelve (12) months to a Totally Green Fleet.
TTSI developed, along with AQMD and the Ports, a diverse approach to achieving a Green Fleet within a one year time frame through the purchase of 1/3 LNG tractors, 1/3 New 2007 generation diesel tractors and 1/3 retro-fit kits, employing diesel particulate filters.
This conversion will meet the standards developed by the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. This plan could not have taken place without the support of Target Corporation and NYK Companies.
Specifically to achieve this objective, we relied on a multi-faceted approach. First was to call for a market adjustment fee from the Beneficial Cargo Owner and to take advantage of available grant money to reduce the purchase price on alternative fuel equipment.
This will allow TTSI to lease or purchase LNG and 2008 low sulfur burning diesel tractors, or retrofitted diesel trucks, which meet the AQMD clean air requirements.
TTSI is dedicated to obtaining sustainability. We are the guarantor of all leases or purchases, which has allowed us to create a loan/buy program for independent owner operators who wish to take this approach. In addition, monthly inspections will be completed by TTSI with all reports available for audit.
TTSI is committed to addressing these issues with our community and being a good corporate citizen. We urge other shippers, trucking companies and carriers to join us in working together to find meaningful solutions.
