PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.       7a 
STAFF BRIEFING             Date of Meeting    June 25, 2013 

DATE:    June 17, 2013 
TO:     Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Director Seaport Environmental and Planning 
Janice Gedlund, Seaport Air Quality Program Manager 
SUBJECT:  Draft Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy Update 
SYNOPSIS: 
Port staff will provide an overview of the proposed update to the Northwest Ports Clean
Air Strategy that is currently undergoing public review. The strategy, a voluntary,
collaborative effort between the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Metro Vancouver (B.C.)
was originally adopted in 2008 and is currently being updated to incorporate what was
learned from the 2011 emissions inventory, which showed considerable across-the-board
reductions in pollutants since the base year of 2005. 
This update includes establishment of additional reduction goals for diesel particulate
matter (DPM) and greenhouse gases (GHG); revised 2015 performance targets;
establishment of 2020 performance targets; and an increased commitment to conduct
pilot and demonstration projects. Staff will also describe how this relates to the January 4, 
2011, Commission motion to accelerate the Clean Air Program. Since 2008, the Port has
invested $5,216,250 to reduce emissions from Port-related maritime operations. 
BACKGROUND: 
Proposed 2013 update to the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 
The Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and Port Metro Vancouver are continuing their
collaborative efforts on the strategy. On June 11, 2013, a draft 2013 strategy update was
released for public comment. Public comments will be accepted until July 26, 2013, and
the Port will host two public meetings on June 26 and June 27. The basic objectives of
the strategy have not changed. It creates a harmonized approach to improving air quality
and reducing port-related emissions in the shared airshed to reduce impacts to public
health and the environment while supporting economic growth. 
The three ports and the six partner agencies have evaluated data and lessons learned from
implementation efforts, advances in emission-reduction technology, and changes in the
regulatory landscape over the past five years. This experience informs the strategy update 
and its key elements, including:

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Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
June 17, 2013 
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1.  Goals for reducing port-related emissions in the Georgia BasinPuget Sound
airshed. 
2.  Pilot studies and demonstration projects to assess how new emission-reduction
technologies can help meet the emission-reduction goals. 
3.  Performance targets for 2015 and 2020 for reducing emissions in each covered
sector. 
The Port of Seattle is hosting two open houses/public comment meetings on the draft
strategy update. One meeting will be held at Pier 69 at 1:00 p.m. on June 26 and the
other at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in the Delridge Neighborhood at 6:00 p.m. 
on June 27. Additionally, Port staff will give briefings on the strategy update at a number
of community council and neighborhood association meetings during June and July.
Following the public review period, the strategy partners will assess comments and revise
the strategy as needed. This process may take several months, after which we will bring
the final back to the Commission for review and adoption. 
1.  Emission Reduction Goals 
The proposed 2013 strategy update identifies voluntary actions that are intended to
complement regulations to reduce air pollution. Together with the regulations, the
proposed actions are expected to achieve the following emission reduction goals relative
to the 2005 baseline emissions inventories: 
Reduce DPM emissions per ton of cargo by 75% by 2015 and 80% by 2020. 
Reduce GHG emissions per ton of cargo by 10% by 2015 and 15% by 2020. 
Because the size and characteristics of each sector vary across the three ports, the strategy
update does not set emission reduction goals per sector. Rather, each port can determine
the appropriate balance of actions to achieve these levels of reduction. 
Every five years, the ports will update their air emissions inventories and analyze
progress toward emission-reduction goals. 
2.  Pilot Projects 
The strategy update calls for pilot studies and demonstration projects designed to advance
emission-reduction technologies for the maritime and port industry. Each port will
evaluate or engage in at least one pilot study or demonstration project per year, and share
findings with stakeholders and strategy partners. Port staff believes this is attainable. We
are currently working with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, for example, to assess
alternative technologies to meet the strategy's truck target to move to 2007 model year
engine emission standards. 
3.  Performance Targets by Sector 
The strategy partners updated and revised the previous 2015 performance measures and
set new performance targets for 2020. The strategy update includes new and updated
actions and performance targets for the following sectors: ocean-going vessels, harbor
vessels, cargo-handling equipment, trucks, locomotives and port administration (sources

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June 17, 2013 
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that are operated or governed directly by the ports). Significant progress has been made
with respect to fuel and engine improvements. It is expected that the next evolution of air
quality improvements will focus on efficiency improvements to further reduce DPM as
well as GHGs. Each year, the strategy partners will continue to publish implementation
reports that summarize their progress on performance targets. 
As discussed in the original document and the strategy update, success relies on
significant contributions from port tenants, customers, and other stakeholders who
manage port activities and equipment that produce air emissions, as well as regional
transportation agencies that can influence freight movement. With their tenants and
stakeholders, the three ports seek to manage future growth in a way that improves air
quality and supports sustainable port operations. 
Ocean-Going Vessels 
Reduces 
Actions                 2015 Targets     2020 Targets    DPM  GH
G 
Ports track
number of
Early compliance
vessels with 
with 2015 ECA
Tier 3 marine
0.1% fuel-sulfur
Vessels surpass ECA                   engines, shore
level (or                             
requirements                         power use,
equivalent) while
cleaner fuel, or 
hoteling before Jan
other emission-
1, 2015 
reduction
technologies 
Ports and vessels participate
in port-designed or thirdparty
certification programs 
that promote continuous      All ports and     All ports and

improvement (such as        10% of vessel    40% of vessel
Environmental Ship Index,    calls           calls 
Green Marine, Clean Cargo
Working Group, or others) 
The existing performance measure for ocean-going vessels in 2015 is to meet
International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for sulfur content in fuel. Since
these standards now match regulatory requirements that established the North American
Emission Control Area (ECA), the strategy's revised target is for vessels to surpass ECA
requirements by burning even lower sulfur content fuel while at berth. The Port's At-
Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) program has been promoting the use of cleaner fuels 
while at berth since 2009. In addition, use of shorepower at T-91 also achieves this target.

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June 17, 2013 
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In 2015, the second phase of the IMO and ECA targets goes into effect that will require
ocean-going vessels to burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur content, or achieve an
equivalent emission reduction, within the ECA. At that point in time, the ABC Fuels
program will sunset. This regulation will dramatically reduce DPM emissions from
ocean-going vessels. 
The 2020 target for ocean-going vessels shifts to efficiency improvements that will
increase focus on GHG and reduce fuel use and operating costs for vessels. The target is
for ports and vessels to participate in a port-designed or third-party certification program
that promotes  continuous improvement (such as Environmental Ship Index, Green
Marine, Clean Cargo Working Group, or others.) 
Harbor Vessels 
Reduces 
Actions               2015 Targets     2020 Targets 
DPM  GHG 
Partners       Partners
Strategy partners conduct  conduct       conduct
annual outreach to port-   outreach and    outreach and
related harbor vessel        50% of harbor   90% of harbor

companies and recognize   vessel companies  vessel companies
best practices and engine   report best      report best
upgrades             practices and    practices and
engine upgrades   engine upgrades 
Ports and harbor vessels
participate in portdesigned
or third-party
certification programs that  All ports and    All ports and
promote continuous       10% of harbor   40% of harbor           
improvement (such as     vessels         vessels 
Environmental Ship Index,
Green Marine, Clean Cargo
Working Group, or others) 

For purposes of the strategy, this sector is limited to harbor vessels that have port-related
functions. The ports have not been directly involved in harbor vessel-related projects to
date. The strategy update calls for both ports and harbor vessels to participate in portdesigned
or third-party certification programs, such as those listed above. In Seattle,
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will take the lead in conducting annual outreach to portrelated
harbor vessel companies to promote engine upgrades and best practices.

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June 17, 2013 
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Cargo-Handling Equipment 
Reduces 
Actions               2015 Targets     2020 Targets 
DPM  GHG 
CHE meets Tier 4 interim
(T4i) emission standards or   50% of CHE     80% of CHE        
equivalent 
Ports and terminals have
fuel-efficiency plans in     Ports and 50%   Ports and 100% 

place that promote        of terminals      of terminals 
continuous improvement 
Prior performance measures have focused on use of cleaner fuels and upgrading,
repowering or retrofitting existing pieces of equipment with cleaner engines or exhaust
controls.  The terminal operators have provided in-kind contributions for project
oversight, implementation and maintenance costs associated with the retrofitted
equipment. They have also purchased newer, clean equipment. Along with continuing to
promote cleaner engines, the strategy update includes a target for fuel-efficiency plans.
For diesel-powered equipment, using fuel efficiently will likely reduce DPM emissions;
regardless of fuel type, fuel-efficiency measures will likely reduce GHG emissions. 
Locomotives 
Reduces 
Actions                 2015 Targets    2020 Targets 
DPM  GHG 
100% of owners
Switching locomotive owners   100% of owners achieve 
participate in an efficiency    institute a      performance            
program              program       objectives of
chosen program 
Switching locomotive owners 
10% of      20% of
upgrade or replace
unregulated    unregulated
unregulated engines (engine                                  
switching     locomotive
replacements will be Tier 2 or 
locomotives     engines 
better) 

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology
have conducted several grant-funded projects to reduce locomotive emissions. The Port

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June 17, 2013 
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assisted Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in obtaining grant funds to upgrade switching
engines owned by Louis Dreyfus.  The strategy update set targets for switcher
locomotives to participate in an efficiency program such as the EPA SmartWay program,
to reduce fuel and emissions, and for upgraded engines on switcher locomotives.
Port Administration 
Reduces 
Actions                2015 Targets     2020 Targets 
DPM  GHG 
Ports own and operate     Ports report use
cleaner vehicles and       of cleaner      Ports increase
equipment and have fuel-   vehicles and     use of cleaner

use reduction plans in place  equipment and   vehicles and
that promote continuous     other relevant    equipment 
improvement            information 
Institute clean
Institute clean
Ports apply clean                     construction
construction best
construction standards to                best practices
practices for
engines used on port-led                  for port-led
port-led projects,
construction projects (such as                projects,
including idle-                         
AAPA, EPA Best Practices               including idle
reduction and
for Clean Diesel                        reduction and
Tier 2 engine
Construction, or equivalent                 Tier 4 engine
emission
best management practices)                emissions
requirements 
requirements 
Ports facilitate energy
studies and conservation
Each port
projects at port-operated
Each port      completes 3
and/or tenant facilities to
conducts 3     energy               
identify and address energy
energy studies    conservation
conservation opportunities in
projects 
building systems, processes,
and yard lighting 
This sector covers sources that are operated or governed directly by the ports such as
port-owned vehicles and vessels, office buildings, support facilities, and employee
functions.   The strategy update focuses on several specific categories of port
administration: increasing use of cleaner vehicles and equipment; applying clean

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June 17, 2013 
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construction standards to engines used on port-led construction projects; and conducting
energy studies and energy conservation measures at port-operated and tenant facilities.
The Port of Seattle already has most of these items underway, but these targets will
encourage more rigorous programs and continuous improvement. 
Trucks 
Reduces 
Actions                 2015 Targets    2020 Targets 
DPM  GHG 
Trucks meet or surpass EPA             100% of
emission standards for model  80% of trucks   trucks (by       
year 2007                            2017) 
Ports, terminals, and trucks               Ports,
have fuel-use reduction plans   All ports       terminals, and

in place that promote         participate       50% of trucks 
continuous improvement                  participate 

Follow-up to January 4, 2011, Commission Motion to Accelerate Clean Air Goals 
On January 4, 2011, the Port Commission adopted a "Motion to Accelerate Seaport Clean
Air Goals to 2015," directing staff to present options for accelerating the Clean Air
Strategy implementation. The motion also directed staff to provide an interim briefing in
mid-2011, draft recommendations at the end of 2011, and present final recommendations 
in mid-2012. Staff briefed the Commission in July 2011, February 2012 and December
2012 on various aspects of strategy implementation and approaches to possible
acceleration of the goals.
On December 4, 2012, the Commissioners indicated that, given staff's evaluation of the
alternatives, they did not feel compelled to accelerate the clean truck program. However,
the Commission did direct staff to continue discussions with our strategy partners and
with the trucking community. 
Regarding the 2015 target, the strategy partners have recommended no change to the
existing 2015 interim target for 80% of trucks calling at terminals to meet EPA emission
standards for 2007 model year engines or equivalent, with 100% of trucks meeting those
standards by 2017. Accordingly, the 2015 goal will be an interim target and trucks with
pre-2007 engines will not be turned away at terminal gates until after the 2017 deadline
(December 31, 2017.)
Per the Commission's request, Port staff conducted additional outreach with the trucking
community. A Driver Advisory Group was formed, consisting of 15 drivers representing
a wide range of dray types, which met twice in February 2013. Members were asked to
identify their preferred option for implementing the 2007 engine requirement and the

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June 17, 2013 
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consensus was to recommend that the new mandate for 2007 engines take effect in 2017.
The Drivers Advisory Group gave the following reasons for its recommendation: 
The recession, and the move of the Grand Alliance to the Port of Tacoma, has
reduced the amount of work they are getting. 
The reduced number of trips since mid-2012 has likely reduced the total emissions
from trucks. 
In 2015, many truck owners will still be paying off loans on trucks purchased to meet
the 2010 target. 
The cost and availability of replacement trucks hinders their ability to afford a newer
truck without significant financial assistance, which will be exacerbated by an earlier
due date (2015 vs. 2017). 
There is difficulty in creating an equitable system for requiring only 80% of trucks to
upgrade in 2015. 
There is a potential inconsistency with the Port of Tacoma's clean truck enforcement. 
Truck emissions have been reduced by 53% since 2005 and represent a small
percentage (7%) of the Port's total DPM emissions. 
Additionally, the difference in air emissions between an accelerated target and a soft
target in 2015 is relatively small and short-lived, as 100% of trucks will be required to be
upgrade by 2017 in any event. During the same time period, the North American ECA
regulations will drastically reduce particulate emissions  since ocean-going vessels
currently emit 78% of the Port's DPM emissions, and will overshadow any gains made in
the trucking sector.
Additional Background: Development of the 2008 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's first Air Toxics Evaluation (2003) showed that
78% of the public health risk from air pollution in Puget Sound comes from diesel.
Following that finding, the Port voluntarily initiated and managed the first effort to
quantify sources of maritime air emission in the Puget Sound region. The result was the
2005 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory (2005 emissions inventory) which
was developed by a forum of regulatory agencies, ports, industry, and non-governmental
organizations. The 2005 emissions inventory, published in 2007, was a comprehensive
baseline of all maritime-related emission sources (ocean-going vessels, cargo-handling
equipment, trucks, rail and harbor vessels) in the greater Puget Sound region. 
In response to these findings, the Port, along with the Port of Tacoma and Port of Metro
Vancouver, B.C., developed the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (strategy.) The
strategy is a voluntary and collaborative effort between these three ports 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, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
and Environment Canada with input from stakeholders, customers, and citizens, the
strategy was focused on achieving emission reductions to further improve air quality
throughout the region. The Port Commission adopted the strategy on January 22, 2008.

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June 17, 2013 
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The 2008 strategy has three primary emissions reduction objectives: 
Reduce maritime and port-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. 
Help the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound region continue to meet air quality standards
and objectives. 
The strategy built on the significant efforts that the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Metro
Vancouver have invested in emission reductions, and established common short-term
(2010) and long-term (2015) performance measures for further reducing emissions from
cargo-handling equipment, rail, harbor vessels, ocean-going vessels, and trucks. 
Actions taken since adoption of the 2008 strategy 
Since its adoption in 2008, the strategy partners have released annual reports
documenting progress in implementing the strategy. A 2011 Implementation Report was
published in July 2011, and the 2012 Implementation Report will be released in June
2013. 
The Port has made $5,216,250 in investments to reduce emissions from port-related
maritime operations.  This includes approximately $1,924,000 for the Clean Truck
Program, $332,000 for cargo-handling equipment upgrades, and $2,960,000 for ABC
Fuels. This does not include expenditures on the air emissions inventory or the staff and
consultant time to support the clean air program.
In 2011-2012, the Port worked with its partners of the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum
to conduct a second inventory of all maritime-related air emission sources in the greater
Puget Sound region. The second inventory, which was published on October 30,2012, 
reports on calendar year 2011 criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions from
ocean-going vessels, harbor craft, cargo-handling equipment, trucks, and locomotives.
The recent inventories show considerable progress in reducing emissions since the
previous 2005 inventories. Puget Sound -wide, maritime emissions of diesel particulate
matter fell from 7 percent to 52 percent, depending on sector, from 2005 to 2011. (For
the Port, diesel particulate matter emission reduced by 14% to 39%, depending on sector,
over the same period. Greenhouse gas emissions also declined by 5% at the Port.) This
was a result of mandatory engine and fuel standards but also significant, voluntary
investments of the maritime industry and government agencies in cleaner technology,
cleaner fuels and more efficient systems of operation that were targeted in the strategy.
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS BRIEFING: 
PowerPoint presentation. 
Draft Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 2013 Update

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Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
June 17, 2013 
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PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS: 
February 9, 2005  the Commission adopted Resolution No. 3534, expressing its
commitment to Maritime Air Quality. 
April 26, 2005  the Commission authorized joint development of the Puget
Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory and $500,000 for support and
implementation of the project. 
February 16, 2007  the Commission passed a series of environmental motions
that required, in part, that staff present an air quality action plan for Commission
approval. 
March 27, 2007  the Commission authorized the amendment of the existing
contract for the Air Emission Inventory in the amount of $25,000, and to receive
and spend supplemental funding for the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions
Inventory Project. 
April 10, 2007  the Commission was briefed on the Puget Sound Maritime Air
Emissions Inventory Project. 
August 28, 2007  the Commission adopted Resolution No. 3585, endorsing the
U.S. Proposal to the International Maritime Organization seeking more stringent
air emissions standards for ocean going vessels. 
December 6, 2007  the Commission was briefed on the revised draft of the
Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. 
January 22, 2008  the Commission adopted the Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy. 
April 1, 2008  the Commission and the public were briefed on the Northwest
Ports Clean Air Strategy implementation. 
July 8, 2008  the Commission was briefed on the Port's Clean Truck Program. 
September 2, 2008  the Commission was briefed on the Port's Clean Truck
Program for drayage operations at West Coast Seaports. 
November 11, 2008  the Commission was briefed on the Port's Clean Truck
Program. 
December 2, 2008  the Commission authorized a transfer of $500,000 to the
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for the At-Berth Clean Fuels Vessel Incentive
Program. 
February 10, 2009  the Commission held a policy roundtable discussion of the
Clean Air Program. 
March 31, 2009  the Commission was briefed on the customer support package
and the Clean Air Program.

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June 17, 2013 
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April 14, 2009  the Commission authorized the execution of lease agreements
with Total Terminals Inc. for Terminal 46, SSAT (Seattle) for Terminal 25/30,
SSA Terminals for Terminal 18, and Eagle Marine for Terminal 5, to incorporate
the Customer Support Package and the Ports Clean Air Program into those leases. 
April 14, 2009  the Commission authorized an agreement with Puget Sound
Clean Air Agency,  to transfer $2.3 million ($1.15  million  in 2009 and 
$1.15 million  in 2010) from the Port's operating budget to support the
implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. 
June 23, 2009  the Commission received a briefing on the Northwest Ports Clean
Air Strategy 2008 Implementation Report. 
August 25, 2009  the Commission authorized a revised Customer Support
Package lease amendment with Total Terminals Inc.; and authorized the Port to
purchase energy efficient light fixtures and related equipment for T-46, for an
amount not to exceed $680,000. 
August 25, 2009  the Commission received a Clean Air Update. 
January 12, 2010  the Commission was briefed on the Seaport's Air Quality
Program. 
June 8, 2010  the Commission authorized to supplement the value of the At-
Berth Clean Fuels Vessel Incentive Program by $541,500, for a total 2010 annual
program budget of $841,500. Within the $541,500, $135,000 represents funds
that were originally approved in 2009, but were not used until 2010. 
November 9, 2010  the Commission authorized to increase the amount of the At-
Berth Clean Fuels Vessel Incentive Program by $110,250, for a total 2010 annual
program budget of $951,750, to cover participation by the projected number of
qualifying vessel visits for the remainder of the year. 
December 7, 2010  the Commission was briefed on the Northwest Ports Clean
Air Strategy Implementation Status. 
January 4, 2011  the Commission adopted the "Motion to Accelerate Seaport
Clean Air Goals to 2015." 
February 1, 2011  the Commission authorized to sign agreement 20090046
Amendment 4 with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to transfer $1,160,250 in
funds to support the implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy,
and to extend the end date from June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2013. Amendment 4
increased the total amount transferred from the Port to PSCAA since 2009 to
$4,166,250. 
July 12, 2011  the Commission was briefed on the Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy 2010 Implementation Report and interim report on Accelerating Clean
Air Goals.

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June 17, 2013 
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February 7, 2012  the Commission was briefed on the Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy and on the Port's current air quality program effort, and draft
recommendations on options for accelerating Seaport Clean Air Strategy goals.
May 1, 2012  the Commission authorized to sign agreement 20090046
Amendment 5 with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to transfer $1,050,000 in
funds to support the implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. 
Amendment 5 increased the total amount transferred from the Port to PSCAA 
since 2009 to $5,216,250. 
December 4, 2012  the Commission was briefed on the results of the 2011 Puget
Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory and options for accelerating the
NWPCAS truck goals.