Includes progress from ports of Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma
August 31, 2009
Port Metro Vancouver and the ports of Seattle and Tacoma have released their first Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy Implementation Report.
The partnership among the ports has been developed to reduce maritime and port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific Northwest that affect air quality and climate change.
The goal of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is to reduce air emissions in the Pacific Northwest from current and future maritime port operations through specific strategies and actions within each category of port operation. The groundbreaking effort has three components:
• Reduce maritime and port-related air quality impacts on human health, the environment and the economy;
• Reduce contribution to climate change through co-benefits associated with reducing air quality impacts; and
• Help the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound airshed continue to meet air quality standards and objectives.
“The implementation report set goals for transparency, progress and clarity around air quality,” said a Port of Seattle press release. “Although there are a number of technical reporting standards to clarify between the three port agencies, there have been good benchmarks established for future collaboration, as environmental goals are met in the coming years.
“What makes the strategy actions outlined in this report unique are that they are driven by the ports’ collaborative relationships with industry, agencies and other stakeholders in order to achieve early reductions prior to any future applicable regulations.”
Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani said, “First, we worked with our partners to measure maritime air emissions, then we created a plan that collaborates with our customers, stakeholders and neighbours. Providing a report that details our efforts to date is a terrific next step as we move toward cleaner air for our region.”