$50 Million for Zero-Emission Truck Program

LOS ANGELES — The Metro Board of Directors Oct. 28, unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Whittier Councilman Fernando Dutra to set aside $50 million to fund a program to replace dirty diesel trucks using the 710 freeway with clean, zero-emissions trucks.

The motion approved by the Metro Board of Directors sets aside $50 million of Measure R funding as “seed funding” for a 710 South Clean Truck Program. The program will be developed in collaboration with communities along the 710, Metro’s goods movement partners, labor, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and agencies including the South Coast Air Quality Management District or AQMD to accelerate the transition away from cancer-causing diesel trucks to clean zero-emissions trucks and charging infrastructure.

Hahn and Dutra aim to position Metro’s 710 South Clean Truck Program to make sure it is eligible for new funding from both the state and the federal government with the possible passage of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill.

Metro Board member Fernando Dutra said this historic investment is an important first step and down payment for the health and workforce needs of Gateway Cities residents. He noted it is particularly significant given the move to the ports 24/7 operations and the growth in goods movement in this region.