FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2011
Contact: Michele Leslie Potter, 206-587-4819, mlesliepotter@psrc.org
Seattle and Tacoma Ports win VISION 2040 Award for Clean Air Strategy
SEATTLE - The Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle have won a 2011 VISION 2040 award from
the Puget Sound Regional Council for their Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The awards
recognize innovative projects and programs that help ensure a sustainable future as the region
grows.
The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is the first and only tri-port and international agreement
to reduce greenhouse gas and diesel particulate emissions from maritime operations. It's a joint
effort of the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. The strategy
has allowed the three ports to remain globally competitive during the recession while still
changing operations to be more environmentally friendly and improve air quality.
"We were impressed with the collaborative approach of the ports' strategy," said Mukilteo
Councilmember Jennifer Gregerson, chair of the VISION 2040 awards committee. "It shows that
working together can help regional interests to stay competitive while meeting their
environmental goals."
"The ports are demonstrating that we can work together to reduce emissions in ways that are
good for the environment and our overall economy," said Josh Brown, Kitsap County
Commissioner and President of the PSRC. "It's exciting to see such an innovative and effective
partnership happening in our region."
The Seattle port estimates that nearly 500 tons of sulfur emissions have been eliminated
through the use of cleaner fuels. More than 116 vessels from eight container carriers and four
cruise lines have participated in the program. To reduce emissions from cargo-hauling trucks,
the port also bought and scrapped 280 older diesel trucks and has barred pre-1994 trucks from
its container terminals.
"Through the strategy, Port of Tacoma is retrofitting its cargo handling equipment with level 3
diesel exhaust emission reduction technology," said Pierce County Councilmember Joyce
McDonald, member of the VISION 2040 Awards Selection Committee. "Port of Tacoma also
launched an effective market-based program to reduce the emissions of the short haul trucks."
All three ports have used the strategy to inventory emissions, employ green procurement
policies, and implement equipment and energy efficiency programs.
Item No.: 4b_attach________
Meeting Date: __July 12, 2011__
Port of Tacoma Contact Information:
Tara Mattina, 253-428-8674, tmattina@portoftacoma.com. Commission Meetings are
streamed live over the Internet. More information is available on Port of Tacoma's Northwest
Ports Clean Air Strategy Website.
Port of Seattle Contact Information:
Charla Skaggs, 206-787-3235, skaggs.c@portseattle.org. Commission Meetings are streamed
live over the Internet. More information is available on Port of Seattle's Seaport Air Quality
Website.
VISION 2040 is the region's growth management, economic, and transportation strategy,
designed to meet the needs of the 5 million people expected to be living in the region in 2040
(compared to the 3.7 million people living here today). It is an integrated, long-range vision for
the future that lays out a strategy for maintaining a healthy region - promoting the well-being
of people and communities, economic vitality, and a healthy environment.
PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and
economic development planning within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The
Council is composed of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies serving the
region. In 2012, PSRC will select projects for the roughly $400 million in federal funds the region
can expect to receive over the next few years. PSRC is also the lead regional economic
development planning resource and home to the Prosperity Partnership.
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