Port rolls out air quality information to truckers

On any given weekday, nearly 800 trucks roll through the gates of Terminal 6 loaded with containers either arriving from or bound for Oregon’s international trade partners. That’s what made it the perfect location on Earth Day for the Port of Portland’s marine environmental team to equip truckers with information about emissions and air quality.

Every driver who comes through the gate today will receive a copy of Cascade Sierra Solutions’ “Guide to Saving Fuel and Reducing Emissions.” The nonprofit entity offers information and assistance programs for retrofitting and upgrading older trucks and guidance for the selection of new trucks. Cascade has Oregon outreach centers in Portland and Coburg, and its overall efforts are aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing pollution.

As resource intensive industries, shipping and trucking have seen increases in both voluntary measures and new restrictions intended to reduce their carbon footprints. In times like these when it is tougher for truckers to do business after the spike in fuel costs last year and the prolonged economic slowdown this year, the Port sees positive opportunities in a proactive approach to the issue of air quality.

“There are ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality while saving money, and even those not motivated by climate change may be motivated by pocket change,” said David Breen, air quality program manager. “Most of the emissions at or near our facilities are not under direct Port control, but we can help encourage our partners to do their part.”

Ports up and down the West Coast have environmental programs unique to the volumes they handle, customers they serve and area in which they are located. The Port of Portland’s Air Quality Program focuses on improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and protecting the region’s airshed. The Port has implemented strategies that reduce idling at marine and aviation facilities, added hybrid vehicles to its fleet and replaced older equipment with more fuel-efficient versions.