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Reps. Payne, Jr. and Sires Urge Gov. Murphy to Replace Outdated Diesel Trucks at Ports

February 27, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and Albio Sires (NJ-8) sent a letter urging New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to take action to improve air quality in the Port Newark-Elizabeth and Port Jersey Marine Terminals by phasing out and replacing pre-2007 diesel trucks this year.

“Under the previous governor’s administration, phasing out of pre-2007 diesel trucks stalled. This year, the Port Authority and State of New Jersey should take steps to replace outdated diesel trucks and help reduce pollutants around the port areas, ” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Environmental injustice is a serious problem in Newark and other port communities. The impacts of diesel and other pollutants are making people, especially children, sick in communities around Port Newark-Elizabeth and Port Jersey Marine Terminals. By replacing outdated diesel trucks, the State of New Jersey can help alleviate the health crisis.”

“Residents of our port communities are being forced to suffer the health impact of thousands of dirty truck engines’ daily exhaust. This is immoral - especially since our State has the means to address this problem,” said Rep. Albio Sires. “By continuing the Port Authority’s program to replace old diesel engines with newer, cleaner models, our State can strike the right balance between facilitating commerce and protecting our residents’ health.”

Reps. Donald M. Payne, Jr., and Albio Sires are members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Their districts are home to the Port Newark-Elizabeth and Port Jersey Marine Terminals.