CONTACT: Lisa Langone or Matthew Brelis 617-568-3100

                        Conley Terminal Clean Truck Program Delivers First Green Vehicle
                            Independent Owner/Operator is First to Purchase Replacement Truck

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Port Authority announced its first clean diesel replacement truck was purchased by independent owner/operator John Jones this month. Last fall, Massport teamed up with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency establishing a jointly-funded program giving owners of older trucks servicing the terminal a financial incentive to replace them with ones that are 2007 emission compliant or newer. Up to 60 older trucks are expected to be replaced, with truck owners contributing at least half of the replacement cost. The old truck engine must be disabled and scrapped.

Jones, a Whitman, Mass. resident, is contracted to drive for Atlantic Beverage Express in Braintree, and visits Conley Terminal, on average, 3 times a day. He purchased a 2008 Kenworth W900L truck with a 2007 Caterpillar C-15 engine, and his old truck, a 1996 Ford LTL9000 truck with a 1995 Caterpillar 3406E engine, was taken off the road and demolished. Over the next ten years, it is anticipated that Jones’ truck will eliminate more than 10 tons of nitrogen oxides, 6 tons of hydrocarbons and nearly a half a ton of particulate matter from the environment.

“We congratulate Mr. Jones for taking advantage of this new program offered to truckers regularly doing business at Conley Terminal,” said Mike Leone, Massport’s Port Director. “The delivery of Mr. Jones’ truck is an important step forward for us as we continue to proactively improve air quality around the terminal, and lessen the impacts of terminal operations on our South Boston neighbors.”

The newer trucks obtained through the program will dramatically reduce lifetime emissions resulting in significant air quality and public health benefits.

“When I was 20 years old, I purchased my first truck, and started hauling containers to and from Conley Terminal. That was 26 years ago,” said Jones. “My family and I are extremely grateful to Massport and the EPA for giving me the opportunity to purchase a truck that I otherwise could not afford. Further, it makes me happy to know I am contributing positively to the environment.”

Older trucks serving Conley are a major source of port-related air emissions. The Clean Truck Program aims to replace trucks that are 15 to 26 years old with a 2007 emission compliant truck, and combines $1 million in Massport-funded support and a $500,000 EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant. The $1.5 million is available to provide truck owners with 50 percent of the replacement cost, up to $25,000.

Massport’s maritime operations and its facilities enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in the region by supporting more than 27,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contributing nearly $450 million in annual economic impact. It is estimated that with the expected cargo volume increases over the next decade Massport-generated jobs will grow to more than 50,000 by 2025. The Port of Boston’s overall activity supports 34,000 jobs, and contributes more than $2 billion to the local, regional, and national economies.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities.

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