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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - In an effort to encourage clean renewable energy use, the Los Angeles City Council today will consider adopting an ordinance that would create commercial loading zones exclusively available for zero-emission commercial delivery vehicles.
If adopted, the ordinance would authorize the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to install loading zones for the “exclusive use and access by zero-emission commercial delivery vehicles.''
In a report to the City Council on April 28, LADOT said it would identify curbside locations in areas that are:
-- high density;
-- subject to high commercial loading zone demands;
-- disproportionately burdened by air pollution; and
-- under LADOT's administrative authority to install, enforce and monitor.
It is expected to cost up to $2,000 per location for an expected initial five locations, according to LADOT.
The ordinance was initiated by a motion introduced by Councilman Kevin de Leon on Feb. 2, 2021 and was passed unanimously.
“Downtown Los Angeles serves as an economic hub for Southern California. With a skyrocketing population and substantial amount of residential and office space under construction, it is getting busier and busier. The large amount of commercial tenants means that there is a large number of commercial vehicles loading and unloading goods for local businesses,'' the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Mike Bonin, stated.
“The goals of achieving 100% clean renewable energy has changed how people and companies think and act when it comes to the environment. Reaching these goals (in California Senate Bill 100) cannot be met unless we change the way we do business.''
The Senate bill aims to eliminate carbon emissions by 2045. Los Angeles' Green New Deal also calls for powering the city on 100% renewable energy by 2045.
“One objective of the city's Green New Deal is to reduce carbon emissions by expanding zero emission vehicle use. Encouraging urban and long haul delivery companies to procure more zero emission vehicles while still meeting their operational levels will help the City achieve this goal,'' LADOT said in its April report to the City Council on the feasibility of creating zero-emission commercial loading zones.
“These Zero Emission Delivery Zones (ZEDZ) will benefit urban freight and last mile delivery providers who use zero-emission vehicles to deliver goods and parcels in high-density neighborhoods, and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission freight vehicles. While the market for zero emission passenger vehicles quickly expanded in the last several years, the medium and heavy duty commercial vehicle segment still lags behind. This pilot will send a market signal to vehicle manufacturers and encourage local urban freight operators to transition fleets to zero-emission vehicles to reduce particulate and greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Los Angeles neighborhoods.''
The ordinance needs to be unanimously approved on its first consideration. If not unanimously approved Tuesday, it will be considered after the City Council returns from its recess at the end of July, when it will require eight affirmative votes to be adopted.
People can watch Tuesday's meeting at clerk.lacity.org/calendar.
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