PORT OF SEATTLE
MEMORANDUM
COMMISSION AGENDA – STAFF BRIEFING Item No.
7a
Date of Meet ing
August 25, 2009
DATE:
August 10, 2009
TO:
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
FROM:
Wayne Grotheer, Director Seaport Professional and Technical Services
Sarah Flagg, Seaport Air Quality Program Manager
SUBJECT:
Clean Air Update
Staff will update the Commission regarding the development of the Clean Truck Program under
the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. This update will include status of lease amendments
with marine terminal operators under the Customer Recovery Package, Puget Sound Clean Air
Agency buy-back and scrap program for pre-1994 trucks, and drayage truck programs at Port of
New York/New Jersey, Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Port of Tacoma, Port Metro
Vancouver, and Port of Oakland.
BACKGROUND
On January 22, 2008, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted the Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy, a voluntary and collaborative effort of the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver
(B.C.) to reduce maritime and port-related emissions that affect air quality and climate change in
the Pacific Northwest. Developed in close collaboration with the Puget Sound Clean Air
Agency, Washington Department of Ecology, US Environmental Protection Agency, and
Environment Canada with input from stakeholders, customers, and citizens, the Strategy will
result in emission reductions to further improve air quality throughout the region.
The strategy has three primary emissions reduction objectives:
Reduce maritime related air quality impacts on human health, the environment and the
economy;
Reduce contribution to climate change through co-benefits associated with reducing air
quality impacts; and
Help the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound region continue to meet air quality standards and
objectives.