South Carolina ports take steps to reduce pollution

South Carolina ports take steps to reduce pollution The South Carolina State Ports Authority said it has completed a “baseline” air emissions inventory that estimated the amount of air pollutants generated by activity through the Port of Charleston’s public marine terminals in 2005.
   The port said the study can be used to more accurately understand the sources of pollution related to port activities, including their relative contribution to overall regional emissions. Using it, the port can “track progress over time as new technology and efficiency improvements are implemented” and target future emissions reduction efforts.
   Since 2005 the port has reduced emissions through steps such as replacing diesel-fueled cranes and equipment with electric cranes or using cleaner fuels such as ultra-low sulfur diesel with 15 parts per million sulfur content, instead of fuel containing as much as 500 ppm sulfur, as well as reducing truck idling and truck trips on local roads.
   Meanwhile, the port said last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had awarded it a two-year, $1.7 million grant to reduce port-related air emissions by handling equipment and over-the-road trucks. The grant includes $735,000 in federal funding with $963,500 in matching funds. The port applied for the grant in partnership with three business groups, the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control and American Lung Association.