Changing working conditions for truckers is one of the keys to solving air pollution generated by container operations at the Port of Seattle a panel of experts agreed in a live radio discussion on KBCS' Voices of Diversity September 5.
The panelists included Port of Seattle Commissioner Alec Fisken; Heather Trim an environmental geologist from People for Puget Sound, Heather Weiner, Change to Win; Lucille Ross Meyer, ACORN, and an independent trucking contractor who asked to be called "T". Moderator for the panel was Tom Herriman.
The lively discussion, which included a steady stream of questions and comments for the listener telephone lines, identified diesel truck pollution as a series health hazard for Puget Sound residents. But the 1500 drivers who own their trucks and work as independent contractors don't have the financial means to upgrade or replace their aging trucks. Several panelists described proposals at the Port of Seattle which would improve conditions for the truck drivers, and hold the freight companies and ultimately the shipping lines responsible for cleaning up diesel truck pollution. Listen to the podcast.