As ports around the nation consider ways to reduce diesel fuel emissions, a court case in California is proving change can be even more complex � and confusing � than expected.

In 2008, American Transportation Association (ATA) filed suit against the Port of Los Angeles, alleging their new Clean Truck Program violated Federal law that limits local jurisdictions� ability to create trucking regulations.  

The program is designed to lower pollution from diesel trucks, in part by limiting the vehicles that are given access to the cargo at the port. Under the original rules, by 2012 all drayage trucks must meet 2007 emission standards and their drivers must be employed by a company that has paid the port�s concession fee. In other words, most owner operators would be forbidden from working with the port.  

After rounds of rulings and appeals over the past two years, on August 26, 2010, U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder ruled in favor of the Port.

The Clean Truck Program has drawn reactions from a diverse range of organizations, including Owner Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and transportation economists. With opinions that range from unequivocal support to belief the program is more focused on supporting unionization than the environment, the case is a hot-button topic for anyone involved in the transportation industry.

Because there are so many articles and viewpoints to decipher in order to stay informed, we have scoured the available information and distilled it down to a quick, easy-to-understand blog series. Our goal is to ensure our members remain up-to-date on the details as easily as possible, so you can save your time and energy for the road.

Check back tomorrow to learn the ATA v. Port of L.A. background and facts. On Monday, you will learn the opinions, timeline and implications for change.