New York-New Jersey port seeks green powers over truckers

THE Port Authority of New York and New Jersey wants the Federal Aviation Administration Authorisation Act (FAAAA) to include provisions for state and local entities like themselves to impose environmental regulations on waterfront truckers.

As it stands, lower levels of government can only act in reference to vehicle safety, though truckers opposing the port authority's power grab, insist others laws provide the means to protect the environment.

But the port authority said: "Unfortunately, the 30-year old statute fails to address the recent rise in volumes and concentration of containerised trade. While such growth has brought great economic benefits to ports and local communities, it has also created significant challenges in the areas of environmental protection and throughput efficiency. As a result, we believe the FAAAA needs to be reviewed and updated."

This appeal was made in a letter to New Jersey Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's subcommittee on surface transportation and merchant marine infrastructure, safety and security, who was asked to consider revising the FAAAA.

But National Industrial Transportation League chief Peter Gatti said the port should be able to accomplish its goals through existing law. "They want broader powers," Mr Gatti said. "If this was just an issue of clean air, that's one thing. But there is no argument that the existing law already permits that."

The NIT League is one of 32 groups protesting to Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, last month opposing the inclusion of additional exemptions under the FAAAA.

(www.schednet.com)