California fee proposal would ‘confiscate’ trucker income

A Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners member is railing against California’s Clean Truck Fund fees, putting its future up for debate.

During a Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners special meeting in August, Director of Planning and Strategy Mike Keenan presented the results of this year’s port truck driver survey. About half are owner-operators, with a median household income of $60,000. Port truckers average about 11 hours of work each day. Truckers earn about $67 per trip.

Edward Renwick, vice president of the commission, said at that rate, Clean Truck Fund fees up to $20 will “confiscate” a third of a port trucker’s income. Approved in March 2020 by the commission, the Clean Truck Fund hits cargo coming out of the port with a fee of $10 per loaded 20-foot equivalent unit or $20 per loaded 40-foot equivalent unit. The fee will be charged to the “beneficial cargo owner” for loaded containers hauled by a truck.

However, Renwick said beneficial cargo owners like Walmart may pass down that cost to the truckers. Walmart opposed the Clean Truck Fund when it was being proposed.

“If someone is in the bottom half, what we’re really talking about is the working poor,” Renwick said. “These are hardworking Americans that are working 11 hours a day, struggling to get by, and we’re talking about confiscating a third of their income.”

Keenan conceded that it is likely that truckers will shoulder the burden of the $20 Clean Truck Fund fees.

That is especially true for immigrant truckers, many of whom are looking to purchase their own truck in pursuit of the American dream. Keenan said the relative ease of entry into trucking means drivers face a lot of competition, including with those drivers willing to eat the $20 fee to gain an advantage.

When talking about approving the fee last year, Renwick said, “We were wrong.”

Commissioner Diane Middleton told Renwick he needs solutions first, but the board is with him.

“Be a champion for truck drivers,” Middleton told Renwick. “I believe everyone on this board will line up behind you and say, ‘Go get ’em.’” LL