Port of Seattle Commission Adopts Regional Clean Air Strategy

Seattle joins Tacoma, Vancouver B.C. in protecting region's air quality

The Port of Seattle Commission voted today to adopt the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a joint effort to reduce seaport-related air emissions with the Port of Tacoma and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The Strategy, initially released in May of last year, is the culmination of input from the three ports, major stakeholders, environmental groups and local citizens throughout the region. In conjunction with adopting the Strategy, the Port Commission authorized a resolution that aligns the organization's seaport environmental goals with those of the Port of Tacoma.

"While we have much work ahead of us in terms of the implementation of the emissions reduction goals, I am extremely pleased with the Commission's vote today," said John Creighton, President of the Port Commission. "Since joining the Port of Seattle, I have made environmental issues a key focus of mine, and the Clean Air Strategy represents a first but significant step forward in reducing air emissions and protecting the air quality for the entire region."

The overall goal of the Strategy is to reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the region by achieving early reductions in advance of, and complementary to, applicable regulations. It builds on emission reduction strategies already implemented, and establishes short- and long-term performance measures for reducing emissions from cargo-handling equipment, rail, harbor craft, ocean-going vessels, and trucks.

"My goal for the Port of Seattle is to be the cleanest, greenest, most energy efficient port in the United States, and measures like the Clean Air Strategy will go a long way toward helping us achieve that goal," said Port CEO Tay Yoshitani. "Air quality is not a local issue, it's a global one. By partnering with our neighbors on the Georgia Basin, we are able to implement changes that protect the environment without hampering our ability to attract cargo to the Port of Seattle."

The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy marks the first such international cooperative effort in the port community - one that will hopefully be embraced by others across North America. Barbara Cole, Senior Environmental Program Manager for the Port of Seattle, has championed air quality efforts for years and is very pleased to see the Strategy come to fruition. "I am pleased to see everyone involved in the seaport industry cooperating to protect air quality now and in the years to come," she said. "I appreciate the leadership the Port Commission provided us as we worked together to craft a cohesive, effective air quality strategy for the Puget Sound region."

For a complete copy of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, please visit www.portseattle.org/seaport.