Posted on February 1, 2019
The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore was awarded $2.4 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repower marine engines and upgrade diesel dray trucks and equipment that is used to move cargo. The funding will further reduce emissions at the Port itself and in surrounding areas.
“Our administration is committed to growing Maryland’s economy while protecting our environment,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This federal funding will support growth at one of our state’s top economic engines, while significantly reducing emissions and building on the clean air progress that we have made.”
Through initiatives like the Clean Diesel and Dray Truck Replacement programs, the Port has been able to reduce the lifetime amount of air pollutants by more than 10,000 tons while continuing to grow our business. The EPA funding is coming from a Diesel Emission Reduction Act grant. The funding will go toward the replacement of approximately 35 dray trucks, 30 pieces of cargo-handling equipment such as forklifts and yard tractors, and the repowering of four marine engines. These replacements and repowers will result in the lifetime emission reduction of approximately 37 tons of particulate matter, 398 tons of nitrogen oxides, 165 tons of carbon monoxide, and 724 tons of carbon dioxide. It will also save more than 64,000 tons of fuel.
“Improving the environment while continuing to grow business is a win-win,” said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.
To date, the Port of Baltimore has replaced 175 older dray trucks with newer model, cleaner versions. It has also replaced, retrofitted or repowered about 60 pieces of cargo-handling equipment with newer, less polluting engines. Both of those initiatives were important in improving air quality associated with port activities.
“The Maryland Department of the Environment thanks EPA for this smart investment in clean air around the port and across the Baltimore area,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “A green and thriving port contributes to a healthy Maryland economy while also continuing the clean air progress Maryland has made in recent years.”
Last year the Port of Baltimore hosted the first North American GreenPort Congress conference which brought maritime professionals from around the world together to discuss environmental initiatives and developments. The Port has also been recognized for its nationally-renowned dredged material management program, where sediment from shipping channels leading to the Port of Baltimore is reused to restore wetlands and eroding islands.
Source: AJOT
