Cargo fee’s mean cleaner ports in California

Freight owners are now required to pay $35-$70 per container, on diesel trucks only,  in Long Beach, and Los Angeles is soon to follow.  Some argue that the new fees could have a negative impact on small business since the goods on their trucks are generally not as expensive as larger companies who sell more costly items such as electronics or furniture.  There are some who even say foreign trade will also be affected.  The fees would discourage potential sales leading them to competing countries.

Despite the drawbacks, the benefits are worth the effort.  Communities exposed to diesel pollution experience a higher rate of cancer and heart disease.   Setting a fee for trucks that use diesel will encourage companies to consider using fuel as opposed to diesel, lowering the risk of diesel pollution. 

The new fees in conjunction with PierPASS, a $100 fee charged for every 40-foot container moved within peak hours, will not only raise funds to upgrade of about 16,000 diesel trucks ensuring that they meet federal standards, but it will also help keep an estimated 60,000 trucks a week out of rush hour traffic.