The American Trucking Association (ATA) has filed for an injunction in Los Angeles federal court to block a US$2.4 billion LA-Long Beach restrictive truck port access scheme to be implemented October 1.
The ATA presented individual motor carriers' dispositions itemising costs and burdens they would face if the ports access licensing scheme were adopted.
LA and Long Beach harbours have developed a scheme that restricts trucker access to the ports and the ATA says that in doing so they have violated federal laws and overstepped their authorities by presuming to regulate interstate commerce.
The access license, said the ATA, is a "textbook case of the need for federal pre-emption to prevent a patchwork of service-determining laws, rules and regulations."
The two ports contend that the scheme will reduce truck pollution by forcing 17,000 drivers to use trucks that meet stringent 2007 federal emission standards, reports American Shipper.
Said Port of Long Beach executive director Richard Steinke: "It is disappointing that the ATA is seeking to impede this critical air quality initiative."
Said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: "We are committed to rolling ahead with the world's most ambitious and bold plan to simultaneously green and grow a port."
