(June 6, 2007) -- The CA State Senate today passed and sent to the Assembly SB 974, the "port investment bill" by State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D., LB-SP-PV) that would levy a fee on cargo containers at the ports of LB-LA & Oakland and use the revenue to fund "goods movement" capacity expansion infrastructure with "mitigation" but no guarantee of a "no net increase" in pollution.

The bill was supported by the LB City Council but not by LB's Board of Harbor Commissioners, which sought amendments to assure continued funding even if the Ports didn't deliver pollution reduction "goals" in their "Clean Air Action Plan" due to "circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Ports."

Sen. Lowenthal's office told LBReport.com that he did not amend the measure as sought by the Port. His office said the floor vote was 22-10 (we'll link to the tally when posted by the Senate Clerk).