advertisement

---

Ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and Vancouver, British Columbia, recently announced that their joint Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy initiative is helping to reduce air emissions in the Pacific Northwest region.

An implementation report shows short- and long-term emission goals for ships, trains, trucks, cargo-handling equipment and harbor craft are being met, port officials said in a prepared statement. The goals were adopted in early 2008 as part of the clean air strategy.

As of 2010’s end, 44 percent of ships used low-sulfur fuels or electrical shore power; many railroads replaced switching locomotives, added idle- and friction-reduction technologies, and used low-sulfur fuels; 98 percent of drayage trucks retrofitted engines or developed incentive programs; and 62 percent of diesel-powered equipment underwent retrofits or replacements, or used low-sulfur fuels, according to the ports.

Next year, the ports plan to review the clean air strategy to incorporate lessons learned and establish new goals.

Meanwhile, the Port of Centralia, Wash., announced that the Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad is relocating from Elma, Wash., to Centralia. Owned by RailAmerica Inc., the short line operates 108 miles of track in southwest Washington.