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Ports/Authorities
 Ferries, cruise ships, freighters, fishing vessels, and the landside facilities that support them create bustling ports along the coast of the northeastern United States. Diesel engines power almost all port activities, from the vessels themselves to cargo-handling equipment to the trains and trucks that move goods in and out of marine terminals. Ports therefore become concentrated sources of diesel emissions, and they are often located near large urban centers affected by pollution from other diesel-powered vehicles. With rapid growth in cruise ship calls, container freight volumes and land-side businesses such as fish processing, the need to work with port authorities and terminal operators on emission reduction strategies has never been stronger.
Early collaborative efforts in the Northeast between industry and government agencies demonstrating emission reduction options for marine vessels and port operations include:
- In New York Harbor, retrofitting and repowering public and private ferries and tugboats to significantly reduce NOx emissions
- At the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and its private terminals, repowering, upgrading and refueling cargo-handling equipment and instituting gate management efficiencies
- At the New York Container Terminal, installing regenerating diesel particulate filters on cargo handling equipment and piloting idle reduction technology on locomotives.
- At South Jersey Port Corporation, the purchase of an electric crane
- At Boston’s MassPort Conley Container Terminal, retrofitting yard and cargo-handling equipment, using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), and systematically acquiring new equipment with maximum-efficiency engines.
To kick off involvement in the Ports sector, NEDC hosted the Northeast Clean Ports Workshop in New York City on February 1, 2006. For the conference summary and presentations, click here.
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NEDC Ports Workgroup
The NEDC Ports Workgroup focuses on developing innovative, cost-effective solutions for ports in the Northeast. Workgroup participants include representatives from five of the eight state air agencies in the Northeast, port authorities, and industry. The group meets regularly by conference call, reaches out to local and national experts for input, and has been visiting ports in all represented states to learn more about their operations, equipment and emissions.
For a list of workgroup representatives, click here. >>
For the Statement of Mission and Goals, click here. >>
Recent presentations about Environmental Management Systems at ports
Clean Ports U.S.A. is also developing case studies of ports’ diesel emission reduction efforts, including those of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of Massport’s Conley Container Terminal. Click here for more information.
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Partners
 As the Workgroup moves forward to engage additional stakeholders, prioritize emissions sources and demonstrate solutions, it will continue to work with national partners such as:
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Federal Regulations
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing more stringent exhaust emission standards for locomotives and marine diesel engines. The proposal would significantly reduce harmful emissions of diesel particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from these engines through a three-part program: (1) tightening emission standards for existing locomotives when they are remanufactured, (2) setting near-term engine-out emission standards, referred to as Tier 3 standards, for newly-built locomotives and marine diesel engines; and (3) setting longer-term standards, referred to as Tier 4 standards, for newly-built locomotives and marine diesel engines that reflect the application of high-efficiency aftertreatment technology.
EPA is also proposing provisions to eliminate emissions from unnecessary locomotive idling. The proposal would result in PM reductions of about 90 percent and NOx reductions of about 80 percent from engines meeting these standards, compared to engines meeting the current standards. The proposed standards would also yield sizeable reductions in emissions of HC, CO, and other air toxics.
Click here to read the full proposal.
In April 2006, the United States Senate supported the ratification of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) treaty on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI, which mandates nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx) controls on ocean going marine vessels. Once MARPOL is ratified, the U.S. can apply to the IMO to designate sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) along the U.S. coast that would limit the sulfur level in ships’ fuel. Click here for full article.
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Reports, Workshops and Presentations
Short Sea Shipping Symposium
UMass Dartmouth
March 26-27, 2008
This two-day conference provided attendees with a broad overview of domestic Short Sea Shipping. Over 100 representatives from federal, state and local government agencies, consultants, shipping industry representatives, and environmental advocates participated in the discussions. For the conference agenda and to download presentations, click here.
 Scoping
Study to Evaluate the Emissions of Harbor Craft Operating
in Boston Harbor and Potential Control Options" (NESCAUM,
April 2006)
To better characterize pollutants emanating from Boston harbor's
commercial fleet, the Northeast States for Coordinated Air
Use Management (NESCAUM) developed a preliminary inventory
of emissions from passenger ferries, tour boats, tugboats,
military craft, and other vessels, which are collectively known
as "harbor craft." The report, "Scoping
Study to Evaluate the Emissions of Harbor Craft Operating in
Boston Harbor and Potential Control Options" summarizes
the findings and provides preliminary information to the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection for its consideration
of emissions reduction strategies.
Emission Reduction Incentives for Off-Road Diesel Equipment Used in the Port and Construction Sectors (ICF/EPA 2005)
This report describes and assesses incentive programs to reduce emissions from off-road diesel engines used in the construction industry and port sector. The report focuses primarily on grant programs, tax incentives, modified contracting procedures, and non-monetary incentives implemented at the federal, state, regional, and local level.
The National Marine Container Transportation System: A Call to Action
A description of challenges and opportunities in coordinating marine, on-dock, and highway/rail systems to move container freight, authored by industry association The Waterfront Coalition.
SmartWay Transport Partnership Emission Reduction Strategies for Drayage Fleets
Seven technical bulletins outlining fuel- and time-saving strategies for trucks that serve ports and the shippers, logistics firms, and port facilities they serve.
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Action Plans
San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (Draft)
The San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Draft Plan was developed jointly by the Port of Los Angeles, and the Port of Long Beach. This plan is the first of its kind in the country and seeks to significantly reduce the health risks posed by air pollution from port-related ships, trains, trucks, terminal equipment and harbor craft.
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