Port Authority of NY and NJ Reneges on Clean Truck Promise

In a shameful action, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has backtracked on plans and promises to the surrounding communities to reduce the deadly diesel exhaust they emit and the disease and death they cause.

“Every day a dirty truck passes through the port and our neighborhoods it takes our breath away and in some cases forever. Asthma, just one of the many health harms dirty diesel causes, killing more Newarkers than homicides,” said Amy Goldsmith, chair of the Coalition for Healthy Ports.

As the Coalition for Healthy Ports pointed out, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey could afford to protect public health – it just chooses not to.

“The PANYNJ collects huge sums from routinely increased tolls to fund development projects. It is spending over a billion to raise the Bayonne Bridge for the next generation of supersized Post-Panamax ships, and millions more to expand the port. By comparison, nothing more than crumbs has been spent to clean up the deadly diesel pollution harming workers and families living in the most vulnerable and disproportionately burdened communities with the port as its neighbor. The PANYNJ decision to virtually abandon its clean air strategy and its corresponding tariffs truly speaks to the values of the Port Authority– profits over health at all costs.”

For more information, check out:

PORT AUTHORITY CLEAN TRUCK PLAN A DISGRACE, Coalition for Healthy Ports (in CBN News)

Port Authority drops plan for cleaner trucks, NorthJersey.com

#ZeroEmissionsNow