The Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) Conley Container Terminal has won the 2015 Breathe Easy Leadership Award.
The award was given to the terminal for its significant contribution to reducing diesel emissions and promoting clean transportation in the northeast of America.
“One of our priorities is to be a good neighbour to the communities that surround Massport properties,” said Thomas P. Glynn, CEO of Massport.
He added: “We have a responsibility to both the community and the environment while we support a thriving shipping terminal and we will continue to do all we can for cleaner air now and cleaner air in the future.”
The award was presented by Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC), which is made up of environmental agencies and private sector companies that aim to reduce diesel emissions, improve public health, and promote clean diesel technology.
NEDC gives the award to individuals and organisations which have taken steps to reduce diesel emissions beyond what is required by law, such as using alternative fuel use like biodiesel and natural gas.
In 2011, Massport received a US$50,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant to replace 20 drayage trucks. Since then, it has petitioned for an extra US$1m for its Clean Truck Programme to allow 40 more drayage trucks that service Conley Terminal to be replaced by trucks with cleaner diesel engines.
Through the implementation of the Clean Truck Program, Massport has helped to improve air quality at the shipping terminal and in the parks and neighbourhoods in South Boston.
“Massport continues to work to make significant reductions in diesel engine-related air emissions in South Boston and to reduce the environmental impacts of operations at Conley Terminal,” said Lisa Wieland Massport’s acting port director.
“The Clean Truck Program is just one example of Massport using its limited capital budget to effect reductions in air emissions in the South Boston community,” she concluded.
