Local ports initiate antipollution program

The investigation, which commission officials warned could lead to a cease and desist order that would send the ports back to the drawing boards, would address whether the Port of Los Angeles violated federal maritime regulations and practices by insisting that trucking firms hire port drivers as employees. The Port of Long Beach adopted a plan that allows both independent operators and employee truckers to access its terminals.

Ports from San Diego to Seattle have expressed an interest in adopting similar programs to get cleaner-burning trucks on the road. However, some shipping interests believe the concept may be a hard sell elsewhere.

"You're seeing an aggressive approach at these ports because of the overall air quality concerns of that region, the magnitude of the cargo they have to move, and because of community concerns about health," said Meredith Martino, manager of government relations and environmental policy for the American Assn. of Port Authorities. "But those are not the top priorities of every port."

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, whose district includes the Port of Los Angeles, would disagree.

"No longer do we have to decide whether we can have good jobs or good health," she said. "Today, we can have both."

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