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Exhibit mA Port Commission 122me MeetingMM STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY PO BOX 47600 0 Olympia, WA 98504-7600 0 360-407-6000 711 for Washington Relay Service 0 Persons with a speech disability can call 877-833-6341 July 12, 2011 Mr. Bill Bryant Commission President Port of Seattle Commission 2711 Alaskan Way Seattle WA, 98121 RE: Ecology support for implementation of the NW Ports Clean Air Strategy Dear Mr. Bryant: I am writing to you to express my strong support for the Port of Seattle's comprehensive and effective efforts to attain the goals of the NW Ports Clean Air Strategy (CAS) and to reduce the impacts of diesel exhaust on surrounding communities. The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has identified diesel exhaust as one of the air pollutants most harmful to public health in Washington State. Seventy percent of the cancer risk from airborne pollutants is from diesel exhaust. It makes healthy people more at risk for respiratory disease and worsens the symptoms of people with health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. More than four million people in Washington live or work close to transportation corridors and hubs where they are most likely to be exposed to diesel exhaust. Because of the heavy concentration of diesel engines and human population at and near ports, cleaning up diesel engines at ports is one of Ecology's top priorities. As the 2010 CAS Implementation Report indicates, much progress has been made. Ecology has been a committed partner in these efforts. Ecology staff have worked with port staff to analyze emissions, focus priorities, develop projects, lend our technical expertise and provide grant funding for clean diesel projects. In addition to the staff time and funding that the Port of Seattle and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency have devoted to implementing the CAS, Ecology has directly contributed over $2 million toward clean diesel projects at ports in the last two years. These include: 0 Exhaust retrofits for drayage trucks 0 Exhaust retrots for cargo handling equipment 0 Replacing old engines with new cleaner engines on cargo handling equipment 0 Providing idle reduction technologies for locomotives and cargo handling equipment. All of these projects reduce toxic particulate emissions and some of these projects save fuel and reduce green house gasses. "137?" " Mr. Bill Bryant July 12, 2011 Page Two Ecology is committed to continuing our partnership with the ports in implementing the CAS. Ecology continues to seek funding for port projects. This week we will be releasing an announcement of the availability of several million dollars in new funding for clean diesel projects. Port clean diesel projects will be one of our top priorities for these new funds. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Commission and Port staff for winning the Puget Sound Regional Council's Vision 2040 award. This recognition underscores the value of the excellent work the Port and its partners do to protect the environment. In closing I would like to thank the Commissioners and Port staff for all their hard work and commitment to cleaning up the air around ports. There's more work to do and I know we have a devoted and sincere partner in the Port of Seattle. Sincerely, QRCQ Stuart A. Clark Air Quality Program Manager cc: Sarah Flagg, Port of Seattle Frank Van Haren, Washington State Dept. of Ecology Craig KEnworthy, PSCAA Rick Albright, EPA
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