The Port Authority and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have launched an aggressive program to replace up to 636 of the oldest, most polluting trucks serving the Port of New York and New Jersey with newer models that generate less pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Applications for grants and financial assistance to cover the cost of a new truck are available at the Truck Replacement Center or online at http://www.replacemytruck.org/ or in Spanish at http://www.cambiamicamion.org/. The center is at 1180 McLester Street in Elizabeth, NJ.

The $28m program is designed to encourage the owners of up to 636 pre-1994 drayage trucks that regularly serve the port to purchase newer vehicles. Truckers are eligible if they regularly call on the Port Authority's marine terminals. The program is partly funded by a $7m EPA grant, with the remainder coming from Port Authority funds. Pre-1994 model trucks will be phased out and no longer be able to call on Port Authority marine terminals beginning Jan. 1, 2011. Trucks not equipped with engines that meet or exceed 2007 federal emissions standards will no longer be able to call on the Port Authority marine terminals beginning on Jan. 1, 2017.

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