A federal judge has upheld all elements of the Port of Los Angeles’ clean air program, including a controversial provision that bans independent truck drivers and requires them to be employees of companies that have obtained concessions.
Los Angeles district court Judge Christina Snyder stated in Thursday’s ruling that the port’s concession agreements with trucking companies were a “business necessity” to protect the government’s financial interests.
The program requires engines in trucks servicing the port to meet progressively stiffer clean air standards. The port has spent more than $57 million on subsidizing the purchase of clean-emission trucks for some companies.