Transportation Daily News July 30

Emissions:

 

Senate Democrats urge EPA chief to resign over air pollution rulings, alleged false testimony -- Four Democratic senators called Tuesday for Stephen Johnson to resign as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and asked Attorney General Michael Mukasey to begin an investigation into whether he lied in testimony to a Senate committee. The senators, all members of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said Johnson — the first career scientist to head the agency — had repeatedly succumbed to political pressure on decisions vital to protecting health and the environment. AP 7/30/08

 

*EPA tests show no danger in West Oakland -- A neighborhood in West Oakland can breathe easier after tests for dangerous levels of hazardous compounds in the air came back negative, according to federal environmental officials. The results of those tests showed no high levels of trichloroethylene, cis-dichloroethene, trans dichloroethene or vinyl chloride that would require the agency to take immediate action. Inside Bay Area 7/30/08

 

Shipping:

 

Respite at Port of Oakland gives seafarers much-needed break -- At the port, these men are welcomed by the staff of the International Maritime Center, a multi-denominational organization that provides counseling, phone cards and free rides to the shops at Emeryville. With a pool table and beers for sale, the center gives respite from a long, lonely voyage, said the Rev. David Ross, an Episcopal deacon who volunteers there. Inside Bay Area 7/28/08

 

‘Good Jobs, Clean Air!’ Rally backs clean, safe ports plan -- If a broad coalition of labor and community activists, health advocates and environmentalists has its way, pollution from ports around the country will be cut drastically in coming years, while at the same time, a group of port workers wrongly called “independent contractors” will gain a living wage and benefits.  The Port of Los Angeles has already approved a Clean Trucks Program, and in the coming months, Oakland could become the nation’s second port to do so. PWW 7/28/08

 

*ATA sues California ports -- The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced their Clean Trucks Program stays on schedule, despite an American Trucking Associations lawsuit against it. The ATA filed a complaint July 28 for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The group charged that the Clean Trucks Program unlawfully re-regulates the industry by limiting port access to trucking companies in port-approved concession contracts. Etrucker 7/30/08

 

Transit and infrastructure:

 

*Bay Area transit projects threatened by state budget proposal -- The construction of a fourth bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, widening of Highway 4 in Antioch and other transportation projects could face expensive delays if California lawmakers raid gas tax funds to close a state budget gap, says the Bay Area's transportation commission. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to reject a proposal under consideration in state budget talks to borrow gasoline state tax revenues meant for transportation projects. CC Times 7/29/08