Oil Patch Bits: Port of Tacoma terminal awarded Environmental Protection Agency grant

In a move it said will create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment for the people of Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said July 20 that it has awarded nearly $1.5 million to reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions by retrofitting ocean-going vessels and adding alternative maritime power at the Totem Ocean Trailer Express terminal at the Port of Tacoma.

This clean diesel project is expected to create jobs while protecting Tacoma’s air quality.

The funds are provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. Under this funding competition, EPA Region 10 received more than 49 grant applications requesting $80 million-plus to help fund clean diesel emissions projects.

In addition to helping create and retain jobs, EPA said the clean diesel projects are expected to help reduce premature deaths, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments, lost work days, and many other health impact every year, and are estimated to reduce diesel particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent.