Port Commissioners Approve Customer Support, Clean Air Package

Plan will retain jobs, make the Port more competitive

Port of Seattle Commissioners approved a plan today that protects jobs, supports local truckers and maritime cargo customers, and reduces diesel emissions. The clean air plan will keep older, more polluting trucks off roads and Port terminals; the customer support plan reduces fees and defers some payments from terminal operators.

“This package helps protect over 12,000 seaport jobs during the worst economy in two generations,” said Port Commission President Bill Bryant. “Today’s action makes the Port of Seattle cleaner and more competitive.”

“We’ve worked closely with the neighborhoods most impacted by truck emissions and parking. We’re striking a balance between improving our air now and helping truckers who make their living moving containers in this difficult economy,” said Commission Vice President Gael Tarleton, who took a lead role in working with stakeholders to craft the plan.

Customer Package:

The relief package is focused on terminal operators whose revenues depend on the number of containers they handle. Port cargo was down 37% in February 2009 as consumer spending continued to drop, endangering the jobs that cargo generates. Seattle’s maritime cargo industry supports over 135,000 jobs throughout the state - jobs that are crucial to the health of the state’s economy.

The customer support program would go into effect from June 2009 to June 2010, although adjustments may be made as economic conditions change. The package offered to Seattle terminal operators is proportionally similar to what Los Angeles and Long Beach have offered their terminal operators.

Clean Air Package:

The Port sees its green port strategy as both a way to improve its competitive position and promote sustainable practices. The Port of Seattle will continue to demonstrate this environmental commitment by contributing $2.3 million to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA). The Port is investing the funds in programs that reduce diesel emission from maritime sources, particularly a program that buys back pre-1994 trucks and scraps them. Additional funds available from other sources will be used to assist truckers with replacing older trucks with newer, cleaner retrofits that produce less pollution.

In July, the Port will begin offering 100 overnight truck parking spaces for area truckers to help reduce traffic congestion, and related emissions, in the neighboring communities of South Park and Georgetown.

Earlier this year, the Port implemented the At-Berth Clean (ABC) fuel program for ocean going vessels, which provides small financial incentives for vessel operators to use clean fuels (0.5% sulfur diesel) while docked at Port of Seattle facilities. The program reduces vessel emissions as outlined in the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The Port of Seattle also has the only shore power facility in the world that can power two at-berth cruise vessels at the same terminal.

Find more information about how the Port of Seattle supports the economic and environmental health of the Puget Sound region here.