September 5, 2007

Schwarzenegger, Lowenthal on container fee

The governor and Sen. Lowenthal have worked out a truce on SB 974, the container fee legislation for the ports. Lowenthal has agreed to pull the bill and Schwarzenegger has said he agrees in concept with the idea of levying a fee on containers moving through the ports to pay for environmental mitigation and -- this is key -- to speed the movement of goods. They will work out the details this fall and come back with a bill after the start of the new year.

Here is the statement:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) issued the following statement regarding SB 974 port container fee legislation.

"Our ports are an integral component of goods movement in and out of California. I support the concept of SB 974 and want to work together with Senator Lowenthal on the bill so it addresses the future of goods movement while also reducing environmental impacts. I look forward to working during the fall recess with the Senator, his fellow legislators and all interested parties to craft a solution that will protect California's air quality and also facilitate the goods movement through California," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

"I am pleased that the Governor understands the need to fund air quality improvements and rail infrastructure, especially grade separations. I accept the Governor's offer to work together and make SB 974 a reality." stated Lowenthal.

SB 974 would impose a fee on all container cargo going in and out of the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. The revenue from that fee would fund projects that would alleviate pollution of containerized cargo moved to and from these ports and improve the movement of such cargo in California.

Posted by dweintraub on September 5, 2007 4:15 PM