Port NOLA Expands Truck Replacement Program

The Port of New Orleans has announced additional grant funding for its Clean Truck Replacement Incentive Program (Clean TRIP), which helps drayage truck drivers replace aging vehicles with newer, emissions-compliant models.

In its January 20 meeting, the port’s board of commissioners voted to receive $346,180 from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, which brought total grant funding for the Clean TRIP program to $3.21 million. The program provides matching funds to truck owners. The latest round of funds will assist in the purchase of at least 10 new vehicles by the end of the third quarter of this year. With the new funding, Port NOLA will expand eligibility to its entire three-parish area, which includes Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.

“The Port of New Orleans is pleased to expand our successful Clean TRIP program so eligible truck drivers in St. Bernard, Jefferson and Orleans parishes who provide drayage services to ports can update their trucks and contribute to collective efforts to improve air quality in our region,” said Brandy Christian, Port NOLA’s president and CEO. “Truckers work with more reliable equipment, and residents in our region benefit from air quality improvements.”

The program so far has aided in the replacement of 76 older diesel trucks. Newer trucks produce 96 percent less small particulate matter and 90 percent less nitrous oxides.

Drivers with trucks from 2009 engine model years and older qualify. New trucks must have 2015 or newer engines. To qualify, current trucks must have been owned by the operator for at least 24 months and have served a drayage facility within the port for at least the previous 12 months. Qualifying owners are able to replace up to two trucks. More information is available on the port’s website, www.portnola.com.