Pacific Northwest ports set lower emissions targets

Pacific Northwest ports set lower emissions targets Three ports in the Pacific Northwest — Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver in Canada ' Wednesday outlined a plan designed to significantly reduce emissions from ships and cargo handling equipment by 2010.
   The Pacific Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy includes performance goals to reduce particulate matter by 70 percent from ships at berth and 30 percent from cargo handling equipment. The plan will be submitted in the fall to the Seattle and Tacoma port commissions, and to the Vancouver Port Authority board of directors for final approval in December.
   As the emissions reduction plan is further developed, the three ports will identify specific performance goals and emissions reduction targets for port-related trucking, rail and harbor craft activities. As the plan is finalized, the ports will ask stakeholder groups to help implement emissions reduction measures and formally sign on as partners.
   “We’re pleased the ports have joined together to take action on diesel emissions,” said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “The performance goal approach will help us demonstrate results and measure progress. We look forward to continuing partnerships with the ports, industry and others to ensure future growth can occur while maintaining good air quality and reducing exposure to diesel exhaust.”