AAPA to Vocalize Industry Efforts to Reduce Emissions

Emphasizing the steps that public port authorities have taken on their own to reduce air emissions and encouraging Congress to take steps to help improve air quality, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will go before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure tomorrow to point out the accomplishments of the U.S. port industry and identify the steps that Congress can take to help reduce air emissions in and around commercial seaports. The Association’s testimony will be presented by Linda Strout, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Seattle. In her testimony, Ms. Strout — whose port has numerous accomplishments related to air quality, such as providing biodiesel at its Shilsole Bay Marina and providing shoreside power for Princess Cruises and Holland America ships that dock in Seattle — will emphasize that public port authorities are taking many steps to improve air quality in the communities in which they operate. Ms. Strout will also encourage Congress to (1) enact legislation to implement an international treaty, MARPOL Annex VI, that would set standards for and reduce vessel emissions, (2) fully fund the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, a federal program that has helped port authorities reduce emissions from older diesel engines, and (3) promote environmentally friendly short sea shipping alternatives by eliminating the financial barrier created by imposition of harbor maintenance tax. Her testimony will outline examples of what ports are doing both on the facility and emissions outside port fencelines, as well as made recommendations for how the federal government could help, including providing additional funds for voluntary emissions reduction projects at ports.