Port Cleaner Trucks and Environmental Justice in the Greater New York Area

Abstract

This paper examines local air pollution levels in disadvantaged neighborhoods near ports after the adoption of cleaner diesel trucks under the Port Drayage Truck Replacement Programs (TRPs). Using annual air pollutant data and census demographics at the tract level, we estimate changes in air quality through a Difference-in-Differences-in-Differences (DDD) model. Our findings indicate that the impact of TRPs was mixed: near-port Black/African American communities were likely worse off, while near-port Hispanic/Latinos saw improvements. Since 2010, air quality improvements in Greater New York (GNY) were 4.5% greater than in near-port communities. Black-majority tracts near ports experienced 6.4% higher NO₂ than Black-majority tracts in GNY. Within near-port areas, Black-majority tracts had 2.7% higher NO₂ than non-Black-majority tracts. The relative gap between Black and non-Black populations in near-port areas widened by about 2% compared to GNY. Conversely, near-port Hispanic-majority tracts had NO₂ levels similar to GNY Black-majority and near-port non-Hispanic-majority areas, with the relative gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations in near-port areas narrowing by 4% compared to GNY. These disparities highlight the disproportionate benefits and drawbacks of TRPs, underscoring the need for more targeted interventions. To address these inequities, we recommend an integrated policy approach, including interstate collaboration to standardize truck regulations, stricter on-road emission controls in near-port areas, and accelerated adoption of clean technologies like electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These actions could reduce environmental health disparities and promote environmental justice by addressing the systemic vulnerabilities of near-port communities.