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Environment: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Port Metro Vancouver

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Federal Grant Supports $500,000 to Improve Air Quality at Port of Baltimore

A $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation coupled with $300,000 in existing state funds will enable the Port of Baltimore to continue its Dray Truck Replacement Program.
 
The program provides owners and operators of short-haul dray trucks up to $20,000 to purchase trucks that meet or exceed 2007 Environmental Protection Agency emission standards. The funding is expected to replace approximately 22 older diesel trucks. 

According to the Maryland Port Administration (MPA), the program so far has helped replace approximately 100 dray trucks and thereby cutting approximately 108 tons of nitrogen oxides, 29 tons of carbon monoxide, four tons of particulate matter, and four tons of hydrocarbons from air emissions.

"The Dray Truck Replacement Program has proven to be an effective tool at reducing air emissions and cleaning the air at and around the Port of Baltimore," said Barbara McMahon, the MPA’s manager of safety, environment, and risk management. "We encourage truck owners to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase a cleaner-running truck."  

The program requires scrapping the vehicles to ensure they are taken out of service. To qualify, trucks must be in working condition and currently serve the Port of Baltimore, with a model year between 1990 and 2003. Applications are prioritized through a set of criteria that include the truck’s age and the number of trips it takes to and from the port.

The $200,000 grant comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and the $300,000 coming from Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund. The full cost of a replacement truck ranges from approximately $40,000 to $70,000. Even with a $20,000 provided through the program, owners make a substantial financial commitment toward the purchase of a new truck.

Los Angeles Expands Marina Engine Exchange Program 

The Port of Los Angeles has revitalized and expanded its Marina Engine Exchange Program to include all-electric and alternatively fuelled motors. Introduced in 2012, the program provides 75 percent of the total cost (up to $2,000) for local boat owners to upgrade old, highly polluting motors with California Air Resources Board (CARB) three-star certified ultra-low emission motors. To date, the program has helped purchase nearly 100 outboard motors, resulting in the reduction of approximately 7,150 pounds of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen annually.

New alternatively fueled engines all meet CARB’s exhaust emission standards, while all-electric engines have zero exhaust emissions. Considering that the all-electric engines provide a greater emissions benefit, and recognizing that most are significantly more expensive than the combustion based motors, the port will offer up to $3,000 to boat owners choosing to purchase an electric motor.

To qualify, an applicant’s boat must have an operational, two-stroke outboard motor no greater than 20 horsepower and be located in a Port of Los Angeles marina. The old motor will be replaced with an approximate equivalent horsepower rating (up to 15 horsepower). Upon engine replacement, the boat must remain in a Port of Los Angeles marina for at least one year.

Grant funding will be approved until all available funds have been distributed. 

Port Metro Vancouver Again Recognized as a Responsible Leader in Sustainability

Port Metro Vancouver has once again ranked among Corporate Knights magazine’s 2015 Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada. The methodology for the ranking takes into account 12 key performance indicators covering management of resources, employees and finances.

"It is a great honor to receive recognition of our environmental excellence and transparency," said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at Port Metro Vancouver. "Port Metro Vancouver is responding to increasing demand for trade by ensuring port operations and growth are sustainability managed." 

The port authority’s fourth annual sustainability report covers several key achievements, including shore power, Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, the container truck licensing system and EcoAction.
 
In recent months, Port Metro Vancouver launched the Non-Road Diesel Emissions Program, which will reduce diesel particulate matter emissions in cargo handling equipment. In collaboration with government agencies, First Nations, marine industry users, non-government organizations and scientific experts, the port also launched the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program to better understand potential impacts to whales, porpoises and dolphins from commercial vessel activities along the southern coast of British Columbia. These programs complement recent teamwork with Metro Vancouver to improve the monitoring of air quality in the Burrard Inlet.
 

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