Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 1, 2018
Preamble
REVISED Motion by:
HAHN, SOLIS, GARCIA, AND DUPONT-WALKER
Related to Item 5: I-710 South EIR/EIS Project
The 710 Freeway is a major transportation corridor not only for daily commuters, but also for freight movement from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the nation. While “goods movement” is a major economic driver for our region, it comes at a high cost for the many communities and residents along the 19 mile freeway. For many years, children and adults alike have suffered from serious health issues as a result of the pollution emitted by the trucks delivering freight inland, and neighborhoods have been severely impacted by congestion and traffic. This freeway is known as the “diesel death zone.”
For 15 years, Metro has partnered with Caltrans, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, the Ports, the individual cities along the 710, community activists and others, to develop different ‘alternatives’ to re-imagine the 710 in a way that balances commerce and environmental responsibility.
There are now three alternatives for the Metro Board to choose from: “No Build”, “5c” and “7.” Both include a funding target of $100 million for the purchase of “Near Zero” (NZE) or “Zero” emission (ZE) trucks that would travel on the 710 corridor. Yet, according to AQMD, even taking into consideration either build alternative, “the region will need substantial additional emission reductions to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.” Additionally, Metro has reported that greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions would be reduced by nearly the same levels for either alternative.
Dedicating the funding exclusively to “zero emission” technology once is available and requiring only ZE vehicles be allowed - once they are constructed - could improve air quality standards significantly. The technology for long haul trucks that would emit NO poisonous fumes is emerging quickly, as exhibited by leading auto manufacturers such as Tesla and Daimler AG. Freeways in China, Israel and Norway are being constructed to have electric chargers embedded under the pavement, thus enabling electric vehicles - both cars and long haul trucks - to charge their batteries as they are moving. This significant investment by Metro can be a game-changing accelerator of “zero emission” technology, eliminating the need to subsidize “near zero” emission vehicles.
The future 710 freeway must not be a “diesel death zone” but a corridor where freight can be moved quickly without impairing the health of communities alongside the 710 Freeway. Both can be achieved.
Subject
SUBJECT: REVISED MOTION BY DIRECTORS HAHN, SOLIS,
GARCIA, AND DUPONT-WALKER
Title
WE THEREFORE MOVE to direct the Metro CEO and Staff to, as part of, staff recommended Locally Preferred Alternative 5c:
A. Change the Zero Emission/Near Zero Emission truck technology development program to the phased-in “Zero Emission Truck Technology Development Program.”
B. Increase program funding target from $100 million to $200 million, and include in the Program incentives and grants investment in the acceleration of zero emission technology both for long hauling trucks and for freeway infrastructure, including but not limited to, “under the pavement” vehicle charging capacity as options to consider.
C. Convene a working group comprised of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), California Transportation Commission (CTC), the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, zero-emission industry experts and other key stakeholders to develop a policy recommendation for a full, zero-emission only, dedicated lane including, but not limited to “rechargeable roadways” on the entire 19 mile long stretch of the 710 freeway, and include this as part of the final EIR/EIS document, presented in the September 2018 Metro board meeting. as part of the reevaluation of the remaining elements of Alternative 5c, after the Early Action Projects have been completed.