On April 21, 2015 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is awarding $5 million in grant funding for clean diesel projects at four U.S. ports. EPA says the selected projects in California, Oregon, New Jersey and Texas will improve the air quality for people who live and work near the ports, and significantly reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that lead to climate change.

Since most ships and equipment at ports run on diesel engines, clean diesel projects at ports produce immediate emissions reductions and provide health benefits to those living and working in the area. Depending on the type of equipment, new diesel engines are 90% cleaner than the old engines they replace.

The grants are funded through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and are located in areas where communities need the most help with local air quality.

The DERA grant recipients are:

• California – The City of Los Angeles Harbor Department will replace a diesel-powered crane with an all-electric crane that produces zero emissions at the San Pedro Bay.
• New Jersey – The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection will replace Tier 1 engines on marine vessels with Tier 4 certified engines significantly reducing particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (Nox) and other pollutants. These vessels operate between Atlantic Highlands in New Jersey and terminal locations in New York City.
• Oregon – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will retrofit cargo handling equipment with diesel particulate filters and replace 23 drayage trucks with ones powered by certified engines that are model year 2011 or newer at the Port of Portland.
• Texas – The Port of Houston Authority will replace 25 drayage trucks with drayage trucks powered by certified engines that are model year 2011 or newer. These drayage trucks operate in the Port of Houston and along the Houston Ship Channel.

What this means to you
EPA is awarding $5 million in DERA fund grants to target diesel emissions at U.S. ports in California, New Jersey, Oregon and Texas.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn more about diesel emission control solutions for engines used in or near U.S. ports.