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The Port of Tacoma, Wash., recently noted progress in the second year of a regional cooperative effort to reduce port-related diesel and greenhouse-gas emissions.

Tacoma Rail added idle-reduction devices on six switchers; now, 10 of the railroad’s 18 switchers emit fewer air pollutants, according to the port. In addition, all switchers serving the port now use ultra-low-sulfur diesel.

The port also continues to support railroads’ participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) voluntary SmartWay program, which calls for adopting engines and fuels that produce fewer emissions, as well as idle-reduction technology and energy efficiency programs.

In terms of cargo-handling equipment, 70 percent of the port’s equipment now meets the EPA’s 2010 goal calling for Tier 2 or Tier 3 engines to operate on ultra-low sulfur diesel or biodiesel, up from 47 percent in 2008. In addition, all port-owned diesel equipment uses ultra-low sulfur fuel or a biodiesel blend, port officials said in a prepared statement.