Northwest ports release clean air plan

Northwest ports release clean air plan    The ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C., have released a Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy Implementation Report.
   The regional partnership was developed to reduce maritime and port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific Northwest that affect air quality and climate change.
   The goal of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is to reduce air emissions in the Pacific Northwest from current and future maritime port operations through specific strategies and actions within each category of port operation, the Port of Seattle said in a statement.
   The strategy involves three primary components:
   ' Reduce maritime and port-related air quality impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
   ' Reduce contribution to climate change through co-benefits associated with reducing air quality impacts.
   ' Help the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound airshed continue to meet air quality standards and objectives.
   'The implementation report sets goals for transparency, progress, and clarity around air quality,' the ports said. 'Although there are a number of technical reporting standards to clarify between the three port agencies, there have been good benchmarks established for future collaboration, as environmental goals are met in the coming years.
   'What makes the strategy actions outlined in this report unique are that they are driven by the ports’ collaborative relationships with industry, agencies and other stakeholders in order to achieve early reductions prior to any future applicable regulations.'
   The full clean air report, which is expected to be completed annually, is available here.