Region 1: EPA New England

Sustainable Ports

EPA New England encourages ports to undertake voluntary emission-reduction and fuel-saving measures by providing information, technical assistance, recognition and access to funding programs. The engines and equipment present at ports, including cargo handling equipment, trucks, locomotives and vessels can contribute to levels of fine particles, sulfur dioxides and ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the air. These pollutants adversely affect human health.

Air pollution is a great place for ports to begin their sustainability efforts because cost-effective, verified technologies and cleaner fuels are available to reduce these emissions. However, sustainable ports must also assess their operations in an all-inclusive manner, including their handling of hazardous and solid wastes, surface water discharges, chemical storage, and so forth. To help make that happen, EPA New England is partnering with EPA Region 2, the Northeast Diesel Collaborative and Northeast ports to develop a multi-media approach to preventing pollution and conserving resources.

Tiered Approach to Greening New England's Ports
EPA New England developed an overview of the many and diverse strategies that ports can choose to begin to "green" their operations. These strategies are organized into three tiers - Environmental Stewardship, Technology Strategies, and Infrastructure and Replacement Strategies – based on cost and complexity. Full descriptions of each of these strategies are available from the Options for the Marine Ports Sector: Green Strategies for Sustainable Ports brochure (PDF) (8 pp., 499 KB, about PDF).

Port Technologies and Management Strategies
To give maritime facility and vessel owners a starting point for exploring the wide variety of technologies and strategies available to reduce emissions and save fuel, an EPA student intern compiled the Port Technologies and Management Strategies list as a research project. While this tool is not intended to be comprehensive, and the accuracy of the information provided has not been verified, we hope it provides a window to a variety of ideas and resources for further exploration. Please consult EPA Headquarters' National Clean Diesel Campaign for more information on the technologies and strategies emphasized by the Clean Ports USA voluntary program, links to regulatory programs concerning the engines and fuels used by vessels and equipment found at ports, and other resources.

Current Sustainable Port Strategies in New England
New England ports are taking the lead in developing their own "green port" strategies and sustainability plans. The Massachusetts Port Authority and the ports in New Bedford, MA, and Bridgeport, CT are the first in New England to draft Sustainable Port Plans. EPA New England staff are available to assist any New England port in analyzing and selecting which "green" technologies and strategies will work best for them.

• New Bedford
  Port of New Bedford: Green Port Initiatives (PDF) (24 pp., 1.55 MB, about PDF)
• Bridgeport
  Bridgeport CT Green Port Strategy, Draft Dated 02/02/09 (PDF) (11 pp., 153 KB, about PDF)
• Massport
  Massport has an Environmental Management Policy and System, and several Sustainability efforts underway.
  • Massport Port Sustainability Progress Report, August 2008 (PDF) (17 pp., 315 KB, about PDF)
    This report highlights the sustainability-related activities that Massport’s Maritime Department has undertaken to date through the operations and development of its maritime terminals and other properties in Charlestown, East Boston and South Boston. It also provides an overview of the programs that Massport has put in place to improve the sustainability performance of the Maritime Department’s operations.

Multi-Media Approach
Since ports can significantly impact the environment in many ways, a variety of federal, state, local and international environmental laws and regulations apply to their facilities. Ports also vary in their business structures and activities, which can make understanding these environmental responsibilities challenging. EPA New England and EPA Region 2 are developing multi-media compliance assistance tools specifically for marine ports in the Northeast. In the meantime, ports can refer to the following EPA resources for additional information.

US EPA Agency-Wide Ports Strategy
EPA has adopted an agency-wide multi-media approach to fostering sustainability at marine ports. This involves many programs and partners. Major themes are:

• Clean Air and Affordable Energy
• Clean and Safe Water
• Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
• The Global Environment
• Ports Communication
• Enforcement

An Environmental Management System (EMS) Primer for Ports: Advancing Port Sustainability (PDF) (55 pp, 2.82 MB, about PDF)
The purpose of the document is to help ports develop EMSs and understand how an EMS can advance port sustainability. The development of the primer is a project of the 4+ yr. partnership between the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sector Strategies Program.

EPA Water Transportation Sector Notebook
As a profile of the water transportation industry, this document presents water transportation operations as defined by their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. It also provides background information on the size, geographic distribution and economic condition of the water transportation industry.

Clean Ports USA
This program, part of EPA's National Clean Diesel Campaign, collaborates with ports nationwide to provide information on technologies and strategies, incentives and recognition. Case studies showcasing ports' emission-reduction and fuel-saving strategies are available.

IMO MARPOL Annex VI Amendments
On October 9, 2008, the Member States of the International Maritime Organization adopted new international standards for marine diesel engines and their fuels. This new program will dramatically reduce air pollution from ships by establishing a new tier of performance-based standards for marine diesel engines and their fuels and by establishing additional, more stringent emission requirements for ships that operate in specially-designated coastal areas where air-quality problems are acute.

Northeast Diesel Collaborative Ports Work Group
The NEDC Ports Workgroup brings together government, industry, and port stakeholders to implement innovative, cost-effective strategies for reducing diesel emissions at marine ports in the Northeast.

Northeast Diesel Collaborative Resources for Funding
This site offers information on current funding opportunities for projects in ports.
* Please note EPA provides this resource solely for informational purposes. The agency cannot attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

Northeast Diesel Collaborative Model Contract Specifications for Construction Projects (PDF) (6 pp., 94 KB, about PDF)
This template offers language for including diesel emissions controls in construction project contracts.
* Please note EPA provides this resource solely for informational purposes. The agency cannot attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

Model Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) (4 pp., 147 KB, about PDF) | MS Word Version (48 KB))
This template can help a "Green" Port Authority (GPA) develop voluntary agreements with participating GPA terminal/port businesses to reduce emissions, conserve energy, and improve environmental management.
* Please note EPA provides this resource solely for informational purposes. The agency cannot attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

Model Bid Specifications (PDF) (2 pp., 126 KB, about PDF)
This template offers language to help port authorities write contracts with port customers/businesses that will promote reduction of diesel particulate emissions from marine engines.
* Please note EPA provides this resource solely for informational purposes. The agency cannot attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

Emission Reduction Strategies for Drayage Fleets from EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership
SmartWay Transport is an innovative collaboration between EPA and the freight sector designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and improve energy security

Related Links
American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

American Association of Port Authorities Sustainable Ports Strategy (PDF) (2 pp., 116 KB, about PDF)
This document outlines the AAPA's guiding principles and resolutions for promoting sustainable ports.

Faster Freight Cleaner Air East Coast (one of a series of conferences on efficient marine, highway, and rail transport)

Natural Resources Defense Council: Harboring Pollution – Strategies to Clean Up US Ports

West Coast Diesel Collaborative – Marine Vessels and Ports Workgroup

Contacts
Abby Swaine (swaine.abby@epa.gov or 617-918-1841)
Halida Hatic (hatic.halida@epa.gov or 617-918-1680)
Larry Wells (wells.larry@epa.gov or 617-918-1836)