Seattle terminal equipment to undergo retrofit for air emissions

Seattle terminal equipment to undergo retrofit for air emissions    The Port of Seattle said Tuesday it will retrofit cargo-handling machines on Harbor Island with diesel oxidation catalysts to help reduce air emissions in the harbor.
   The port is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and its largest marine terminal operator on this and other initiatives to help reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality in the Seattle area, officials said in a statement.
   By March, the port expects to retrofit 54 cargo-handling machines at Terminal 18 with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), which reduce diesel particulate matter and other air pollutants. Terminal 18 is leased and operated by Seattle-based SSAT, which also owns the equipment to be retrofitted and will cover the labor costs associated with the retrofits.
   The port estimates the DOCs will reduce emissions of particulate matter by 20 to 26 percent, carbon monoxide by 38 to 40 percent and hydrocarbons by 49 to 50 percent. The funding for the retrofits comes from the port ($40,000), EPA ($35,000) and Clean Air Agency ($30,000) money.
   Those three entities are also funding the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, which will collect information on the kind, quantity, and origins of emissions released from maritime sources and will be completed by the end of 2006. It is funded by a $100,000 grant from EPA and $310,000 in matching funds from other participants.