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Environment: Houston, Port Angeles

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Houston: EPA Awards Port Authority Nearly $900,000 to Clean Up Diesel Engines 

The Port of Houston Authority will receive almost $900,000 as part of an award of more than $2.1 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for three clean diesel projects in EPA's Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) to help reduce emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines. Nationally, EPA is awarding $8 million to 21 recipients.

This funding is provided under EPA's Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Fiscal Year 2014 allocation, which will include engine replacements, repowers and idle reduction technologies to clean up a variety of older diesel engines.

The funding supports the expansion of the Houston-Galveston Drayage Truck Program implemented by the port authority and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). This program has assisted with the replacement of 200 trucks since 2009. In its entirety, through its Clean Vehicles Program, H-GAC has replaced more than 3,000 heavy-duty vehicles since 2002.

The $899,960 EPA DERA grant combined with a match of $900,000 from drayage truck owners will finance the replacement of replace 14 older drayage trucks (model years 1995-2003) with new 2010 EPA/CARB-compliant trucks with Class 8 engines. During the life of the vehicles, reductions of 57.64 tons of NOx, 2.51 tons of PM2.5, 3.21 tons of HC, and 21.18 tons of CO are anticipated.

The new trucks will have GPS units installed to provide H-GAC and the port authority data that will offer perspectives on idling and port operations. H-GAC will provide feedback to fleet owners and operators for potential fuel savings and emissions reduction. Periodic workshops and events will educate operators and service personnel on proper maintenance and operation of clean diesel and alternative field engines.

"Reducing fuel costs and improving air quality are important roles in the fabric of port operations, economy and air quality," said Charlie Jenkins, the port authority’s managing director of channel development and environmental affairs. "In partnership with H-GAC, the port authority continues to focus on environmental stewardship while maintaining the economic stimulus the port provides our region and Texas."

Port Angeles: Composite Recycling Technology Center to Receive $712K from State’s Clean Energy Fund

The Port of Port Angeles’ Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) is one of five clean energy technology projects designated to receive funding from the Washington State Clean Energy Fund. 

The CRTC was notified of $712,000 in matching funds from the state to help secure federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). The port has offered up to $1,288,000 in matching funds to the EDA in support of the project. The port also has applied for Opportunity Funds from Clallam County to be used as match. These combined sources will support the $4 million in infrastructure necessary to complete the building that will house the recycling center and Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing - Composite Technology training program. 

The CRTC will develop a reprocessing center to convert composite waste streams into useful products to create jobs and income while reducing negative environmental impact. For example, Peninsula College students have been making I-beams in a classroom lab that could be utilized for applications such as solar panel mounts. The CRTC is a joint project of the Port of Port Angeles, the City of Port Angeles, Clallam County and Peninsula College, with significant involvement from industry, workforce training and research partners across the United States. 

A report on the "Economic Impacts of the Composite Recycling Technology Center" predicts the center will create "338 new jobs at an annual average wage of $67,553 with average living wage premiums of $27,387." 

"The recycling center offers a unique opportunity for our community," said Jennifer States, the port’s director of business development. "The CRTC project is already starting to establish Clallam County’s as a global leader in carbon fiber composite recycling. Once we cut the ribbon on this state of the art facility, that leadership role will continue to grow." 
 

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