Clean Air: Hueneme, San Diego, Seattle, Virginia

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The Port of Hueneme has been awarded a $500,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Port of San Diego's shore power system at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal was selected in March as a public works 2014 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 2 presented a 2014 Clean Air Excellence Award to the Port of Seattle in recognition of its Seaport Air Quality Program. The Port of Virginia has received a $750,000 EPA grant that will be used toward the purchase of three pieces of low-emission, hybrid cargo-handling equipment.

Hueneme Receives $500,000 EPA DERA Grant for Shore Power Project 

The Port of Hueneme has been awarded a $500,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The funds will be used to complete phase II of the port’s shore power project and in so doing allow additional vessels to connect to the system.

The system just last month (Advisory, April 8, 2014) successfully completed its first vessel test, which Port CEO Kristin Decas described as "a giant leap forward for us and the community."

Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), a supporter of shore power whose Congressional district includes Ventura County and the port district, said the DERA grant would "improve air quality" and "allow the port to better compete for business in the international market."

San Diego: Port’s Shore Power Project Selected as Public Works Project of the Year

The Port of San Diego's shore power system at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal was selected in March as a public works 2014 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association.

Dedicated February 24, the system allows cargo vessels to "plug-in" and use electrical power from San Diego Gas & Electric instead of relying on diesel fuel engines while in port (Advisory, March 4, 2014)

Construction on the $4.25 million project began in mid-2013 and was funded by the port's capital improvement program.

The terminal’s principal tenant and shore-power user, Dole Fresh Fruit Company, recently signed a new long-term lease under which, the port and Dole agreed to work together on these infrastructure improvements.

This project fulfills a California Air Resources Board mandate requiring California ports and terminals to provide shore power to container, passenger and refrigerated-cargo ships. The port is already equipped to provide shore power to cruise ships berthed at its B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Pier facilities.

The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, professional association of public works agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to promoting excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.

San Diego’s award-winning shore power system for cargo ships.
Photo/Dale Frost, Port of San Diego

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 2 presented a 2014 Clean Air Excellence Award to the Port of Seattle in recognition of its Seaport Air Quality Program.

The port received the award in the Regulation/Policy Innovations category for its work in successfully reducing maritime-related emissions through programs that exceed mandated standards. The port worked collaboratively with regulatory agencies, neighboring ports, the maritime industry and the community to reduce air emissions.

The resulting programs include the At-Berth Clean (ABC) Fuels initiative, Green Gateway Partner Awards, the Clean Truck Program, and promoting shore power use for cruise vessels while moored at port terminals.

The awards program, established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, recognizes and honors both individuals and organizations that have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, advanced public understanding of air pollution and improved air quality. Entries are judged by EPA and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee.

Virginia Port to Purchase Hybrid Cargo-Handling Equipment with Federal Grant

The Port of Virginia has received a $750,000 EPA grant that will be used toward the purchase of three pieces of low-emission, hybrid cargo-handling equipment.

The port is replacing a trio of aging, Tier-1 diesel-powered straddle carriers with Tier-4 diesel-electric shuttle carriers. Straddle carriers are used at Norfolk International Terminals and shuttle carriers at APMT in Portsmouth, which is where the new machines will be deployed.

Through its "Tier" system, the federal government rates non-road diesel engines, with Tier-4 engines being the cleanest-running diesel engines available to industry. Tier-4 standards require that certain emissions be reduced by as much as 90 percent through the use of control technologies, including advanced exhaust-gas after treatment.

The project cost is $3,423,000; the port’s portion is $2,673,000. The hybrid equipment will be part of the port’s Green Operator program, which is a voluntary truck replacement and vessel-fuel switching program.

"This effort further integrates our cargo handling sector into the GO program," said port CEO John Reinhart."It has been our policy for more than a decade to demonstrate and incorporate clean-diesel technology into our operation. This effort will produce immediate environmental improvements through reduction of emissions, fossil fuel consumption and noise from port operations."