Truck emissions are a big problem for air quality.
Credit: Pledge for Growth

The SPA’s Pledge for Growth program is finally moving forward with the goal of improving air quality, saving fuel costs, and reducing emissions that was brought up here last year.

Some air management steps the SPA is taking include:

1. switching to cleaner fuels by using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) – three years ahead of federal mandate. On-site partners switching to ULSD K – with an increased kerosene content – will cut air emission levels from affected equipment by 10% 2 – 4 years ahead of the federal mandate.
2. The SPA has just recently replaced four diesel-electric container cranes with all-electric models and has retired older equipment.
3. Committing to 30 minutes or less “turn time” on average by trucks on site, which will reduce the idling times and air emissions of motor carriers at port facilities.
4. Exceeding the industry average for crane productivity for loading and unloading of containers, which reduces crane emissions.
5. The SPA utilizes refrigerated container plugs on its facilities, which allow cargo to be temperature controlled on-site via electric power instead of diesel-powered generators – also reducing emissions.
6. Becoming a member of the South Atlantic Chassis Pool, roadside breakdowns can hopefully be taken care of on location vs. a tow back to the yard – reducing traffic and emissions.