With the goal of creating jobs, boosting local economies, reducing diesel fuel emissions and protecting human health, the U.S.
By Patrick Burnson
Published: August, 2009
With the goal of creating jobs, boosting local economies, reducing diesel fuel emissions and protecting human health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced awards for about half of its allotted federal stimulus money to state, regional and federal air quality programs, including several in and around seaports.
The Port of Oakland and The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) were selected for $2 million in funding to retrofit 81 Port of Oakland trucks with diesel particulate filters and replace 22 older trucks with cleaner, newer ones that operate in and around the Port of Oakland. A diesel particulate filter, when retrofitted to a port truck, is designed to reduce diesel emissions by 85 percent. These funds are now part of a new $22 million program introduced by an innovative partnership between the Air District, the Port of Oakland, the California Air Resources Board (ARB), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program’s goal is to quickly reduce the health risks to the West Oakland community caused by heavy truck activity at this major transportation hub.
“The Port of Oakland continues to work with its regulatory partners such as the EPA, California Air Resources Board, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District to provide meaningful outreach to the trucking community in order to reduce the diesel pollution in the region,” said Richard Sinkoff, Port of Oakland environmental director.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided the EPA with $300 million in new competitive grants for the national and state programs to support the implementation of verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies as part of the National Clean Diesel Campaign. Of the EPA stimulus grants announced so far, about $30 million in awards are going to programs for reducing diesel emissions in and around U.S. seaports, with the potential for more seaport-related awards to follow in the coming weeks.
“As stewards of the coastal environment,” said Kurt Nagle, American Association of Port Authorities president and CEO, “America’s seaports are investing millions of dollars a year to control emissions related to cargo and passenger handling operations in and around their facilities. Receiving an EPA grant enhances a port’s ability to succeed in that effort while delivering prosperity to the community and region it serves.”
Applications will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is expected to go quickly. According to statewide regulation, after January 1, 2010, trucks without particulate filters will be prohibited from entering the port and cannot receive the retrofit funding. Port truckers with model year 2006 or older vehicles serving the port can apply for funding to install the particulate filter device at the Port of Oakland’s OT411 Truck Information Center at 11 Burma Road, Oakland, CA 94607.
Developer Wins Lease for Port of Oakland Rail Terminal
AMB Property Corp. and a local developer have beaten out two competitors for a long-term lease to operate an intermodal rail terminal at the Port of Oakland. The 168-acre property owned by the port is part of the former Oakland Army Base, and has figured prominently in plans for the ocean cargo gateway’s plans for some time.
AMB was the preferred bidder to redevelop and operate the dedicated rail facility under a concession of 30 years or more; AMB has proposed a 66-year lease. The project will include extensive environmental remediation before construction can begin, and the Oakland City Council must also approve the deal.
AMB Property, headquartered in San Francisco, is a global owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate catering to the logistics and freight transportation sectors. It is paired with Oakland-based commercial property developer California Capital Group, which has a 15 percent stake in the joint venture.
Association of Pacific Ports to Hold Seminar
The Association of Pacific Ports, a trade and information association founded in 1913 as the Association of Pacific and Far East Ports, will be staging a one-day seminar in San Francisco on Thursday, November 5. While a venue has yet to be determined, the APP’s popular “Fly-In, Fly-Out Seminar” is certain to be well attended.
Programs of the Association of Pacific Ports are aimed at enhancing the technical and governance expertise of commissioners and other port officials through meetings, educational seminars and the exchange of appropriate communications. These programs are also pertinent to the needs of ports’ management and technical staff.
All ports located in areas tributary to the Pacific Ocean are eligible to join the APP. The ports of Redwood City, Richmond, Stockton have been longtime members, with many executives taking on leadership roles at the APP.
