Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Faster Freight — Cleaner Air Expo 2004
(An Expo on Improving Goods Movement in Northern California)

Solutions for Moving Increasing Cargo Volumes in California

Contacts:

Kathy Krasenics, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates
310.314.1934, Ext. 4
310.314.9196
kathy@gladstein.org
www.ffca2004.com

Note to Assignment Editors!
Faster Freight — Cleaner Air Expo 2004:
December 8th and 9th - Oakland Marriott City Center & Convention Center, Oakland, CA

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 23, 2004...With ships arriving faster than dockworkers can handle them, California’s ports and goods movement systems already cannot keep ahead of the growing amount of cargo. The delays have revealed problems with everything from harbor operations to the truck and rail systems that move goods inland. At each point of the goods movement system, whether it be an idling locomotive in a switchyard, older model trucks waiting in line at a marine terminal or increased take-offs and landings of cargo planes, each piece of this system is now a significant contributor to congestion and air quality problems in Northern California.

Faster Freight – Cleaner Air 2004 will showcase the success stories and solutions that have already been effectively implemented by other communities in the U.S. Highlighted will be the technologies, policies, investments and other tools businesses and communities can take to move more freight with increased efficiency and less environmental impact. The event will provide information on opportunities available to businesses and communities to obtain both financial and technical resources to help now and in the future. Ultimately, the conference will provide a link between low-emission technology, infrastructure planning efforts, funding opportunities and resources, and the end users within the freight movement industry.

During the conference, an overview of the Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Regional Goods Movement Study will be presented to highlight some of the study’s findings. “This study provided valuable input to MTC’s recently-released long-range transportation plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, which is our blueprint for infrastructure needed to move people and freight over the next 25 years,” said MTC Executive Director Steve Heminger.

“There is no question that more containers are going to be moved into and out of California in the coming years,” noted Jerry Bridges, the Port’s Executive Director. “We are excited to be a part of this unique event to collaborate on the needed infrastructure improvements to California’s highway and rail systems. These improvements are critical to the Port’s ability to efficiently move these increased container volumes to where they need to go.”

“Working together, we can ensure that the Port of Oakland remains a crucial economic hub and a national leader in new and innovative diesel emissions reductions strategies,” said Wayne Nastri, administrator of the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office in San Francisco. “The solutions lie in collaborative approaches and this conference is an excellent opportunity for us to continue to work together.”

Beyond these planning and infrastructure improvement, the Expo will showcase the low-emission and alternative fuel technology options available to goods movement participants such as truck fleets, locomotive and off-road equipment operators, and international shipping companies. With the increased use of these technologies, California’s goods movement sector will be able to continue to grow without adding to the region’s air quality concerns. With these collective improvements, California will be able to realize the economic opportunities presented by expanding international trade without suffering additional adverse congestion and air quality impacts.

“This conference demonstrates the possibilities for improving air quality and lessening the impact of increased goods movement through the cooperative efforts of the public and private sectors,” said Jack Broadbent, Executive Officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Pacific Gas and Electric, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Port of Oakland and the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) have partnered to host Faster Freight - Cleaner Air 2004: An Expo On Improving Goods Movement in Northern California. The event is scheduled for December 8-9, 2004 at the Oakland Marriott City Center and Convention Center in Oakland, California.

The event is being sponsored in part by Diesel Technology Forum, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, San Joaquin Council of Governments, CH2Mhill, Cummins West and many others.

For information and to register: www.ffca2004.com Contact: kathy@gladstein.com
Phone: 310.314.1934, Ext. 4

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