RILA Welcomes Port of New York and New Jersey Clean Truck Program 

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) applauded the Port of New York and New Jersey today for adopting an emission reduction program that will retire high-polluting trucks serving the Port.

RILA is a partner with the Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT) who assisted the Port of New York and New Jersey in their development of a Clean Truck Program (CTP).

“We commend the Port of New York and New Jersey for their proactive efforts to craft a comprehensive Clean Truck Program to reduce diesel emissions at their Port,” said Katherine Lugar, executive vice president for public affairs. “RILA and our members are proud partners with the Coalition for Responsible Transportation and are committed and collaborating with the broader shipping community to improve air-quality in and around the ports.”

The New York and New Jersey Dirty Truck Ban will improve air quality, reduce associated human health and the environment effects, and reduce maritime-related greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with climate change.

“The Port of NY/NJ clean truck program seizes upon the demonstrated commitment of the shipping industry to work collaboratively with the port authorities and the communities to improve air quality without unnecessarily interrupting the flow of commerce,” concluded Lugar.

CRT is known for their financing model which achieved great success in helping truckers acquire new vehicles to meet the requirements of the Clean Truck Plans in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This financing model will be used to achieve similar success at the Port of New York and New Jersey.

RILA partnered with CRT in 2009 to expand efforts to reduce diesel emissions in and around our nation’s ports, the partnership expanded upon the CRT’s impressive accomplishments and leverage of the market power of America’s largest shippers to make further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Founded in 2007, CRT has been a leading advocate for the implementation of practical and responsible solutions that reduce port truck pollution without disrupting the flow of commerce.  CRT members include national shippers, ocean carriers, drayage providers and equipment manufacturers to which all have made substantial investments in cleaning up our nation’s air quality.

RILA and its members actively pursue and promote environmental sustainability in numerous ways. In 2007, RILA launched the RILA Sustainability Initiative (RSI), a collaborative initiative designed to help leading retail companies meet and exceed environmental standards by pursuing environmentally sustainable activities and responsible business practices.

Both RILA and CRT are members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Program. Smartway is an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry, designed to increase energy and fuel efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. RILA is also a member of SmartWay’s Shipper Stakeholder Committee, which provides input toward the continued development of the program, and is a partner with EPA’s Energy Star and WasteWise programs.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

###