The Port of Tacoma posted significant progress in the first year of a regional cooperative effort to reduce port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy Implementation Report outlines progress by the Port and its regional partners, the ports of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., to meet jointly established short- and long-term clean air goals for ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbor craft.
The goals were adopted in early 2008 as part of the ground-breaking Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The implementation report calls out the early progress achieved by all three ports through their cooperative relationships with customers, tenants, and air and environmental regulatory agencies.
Port of Tacoma tallied the following first year results:
- 57 percent of the ships that call frequently at the Port met or exceeded the 2010 goal by using distillate fuel at berth.
- 47 percent of cargo-handling equipment met or exceeded the 2010 goal. Also, all diesel equipment at the Port uses ultra-low sulfur fuel or biodiesel blend.
- The Port supported its rail operators' participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program. All switching locomotives serving the Port use ultra-low sulfur diesel.
- 86 percent of the drayage trucks serving the Port met or exceeded the 2010 goal of 1994 or newer model year emission standards.
The report also outlines efforts under way for 2009 and beyond.
About the Port of Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to Port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The Port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks. To learn more about the Port of Tacoma, visit www.portoftacoma.com.
Contact: Tara Mattina, 253-428-8674