Container Fees Suggested for Local Ports to Combat Pollution
A bill that would charge a $30 fee per 20- foot container entering the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature.
Senate Bill 927, passed by the Assembly on Aug. 30 and the Senate on Aug. 31, would use the annual $500 million the fee is expected to generate to clean up the air and improve the transportation infrastructure around the ports, as well as to beef up port security.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), who is a port watchdog.
Republicans who opposed the bill said it would stifle business and be passed on to consumers. SB 927 has been strongly opposed by shippers, importers, marine terminal operators and ocean carriers.
Democrats said the new fees would be used to clean up the gritty air generated by ships docked at the ports, which account for more than 40 percent of the ocean-going cargo traffic in the United States.
It is strongly supported by environmental groups, including the Coalition for Clean Air. One-third of the funds collected would go to the California Air Resources Board to help reduce truck, ship and railroad pollution coming from the ports.—Deborah Belgum
