Seattle Port Commissioners approve clean air package

The clean air plan will keep older, more polluting trucks off roads and Port terminals; the customer support plan reduces fees and defers some payments from terminal operators. The Port sees its green port strategy as both a way to improve its competitive position and promote sustainable practices. The Port of Seattle will continue to demonstrate this environmental commitment by contributing $2.3 million to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA). The Port is investing the funds in programs that reduce diesel emission from maritime sources, particularly a program that buys back pre-1994 trucks and scraps them. Additional funds available from other sources will be used to assist truckers with replacing older trucks with newer, cleaner retrofits that produce less pollution. In July, the Port will begin offering 100 overnight truck parking spaces for area truckers to help reduce traffic congestion, and related emissions, in the neighbouring communities of South Park and Georgetown. Earlier this year, the Port implemented the At-Berth Clean (ABC) fuel program for ocean going vessels, which provides small financial incentives for vessel operators to use clean fuels (0.5% sulfur diesel) while docked at Port of Seattle facilities. The program reduces vessel emissions as outlined in the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The Port of Seattle also has the only shore power facility in the world that can power two at-berth cruise vessels at the same terminal.

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