The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has accepted a $782,482 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant programme as part of its efforts to cut emissions, reports Safety4sea.
Deployment of battery-electric tractors
The DERA grant program will support Rail Management Services (RMS), who operates at the South Intermodal Yard in Tacoma, to replace six existing diesel-powered terminal tractors with battery-electric versions.
John McCarthy, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance said, “This grant will help secure our ability to install the first permanent deployment of electric cargo-handling equipment in our gateway. Through our partnership with RMS and Tacoma Power, these upgrades will replace nearly 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel with clean electricity annually, resulting in reductions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions of 1.4 tons per year and 260 tons of greenhouse gas.”
Clean replacement of fuel
In addition, under the DERA program, RMS will remanufacture their terminal tractors into battery-electric vehicles. RMS currently operates a fleet of 10 vehicles with a mix of Tier 2 and Tier 3 non-road diesel engines.
“With our decades long standing relationship at the Port of Tacoma and with NWSA, RMS is proud to be included in this electric hostler venture which will reduce emissions and create a safer, cleaner environment for our employees,” said Ed Morgenthaler, vice president of Rail Management Services.
What is more, these upgrades will replace nearly 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel with clean electricity annually, resulting in reductions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions of 1.4 tons per year and 260 tons of greenhouse gas.
Cutting pollution and emissions
Chris Hladick, EPA regional administrator in Seattle said, “By helping Northwest port operators retire older, dirtier engines by supporting their diesel terminal tractor replacement project, they can buy retrofitted electric tractors that are more efficient, pollute less and save money.”
“By investing in cleaner air in congested, urban areas, we can help those who suffer more than their fair share of air pollution get welcome relief and a healthier community,” he added.
Concluding, the new electric tractors are expected to go into operation late 2021.
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Source: Safety4sea
