EPA to Partner with Industry on Drayage Emission Port Program
The Environmental Protection Agency, joined by the Coalition for Responsible Transportation and the Environmental Defense Fund, is launching a new SmartWay initiative to reduce pollution from thousands of short-haul dray trucks that are widely used in port facilities to haul freight from cargo ships to nearby local distribution points.
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(Many of the dray trucks today are older and dirtier than trucks used on highways, and contribute to public health and environmental challenges at ports and surrounding areas. Model year 1994 and older dray trucks emit approximately 60 times more particulates at a size of PM 2.51 than model year 2007 and newer trucks.)
Carriers Agree to Reduce PM 2.5 Emissions by 50% Below Industry Average
Under the SmartWay dray truck initiative, carriers sign an agreement with EPA to track and reduce PM 2.5 emissions by 50% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 25% below the industry average over a three year period.
Shipper Partners Commit to Using Cleaner Trucks to Haul 75% of Freight
In addition, SmartWay dray shipper partners will commit to use the cleaner trucks to haul 75% or more of port freight.
(Charter shipper partners in the program include Best Buy, The Home Depot, Hewlett Packard, JC Penney, Lowe's, Nike, Target, and Walmart.)
Program & Incentives Expected to Cut Final Costs, Improve Air Quality
Under the agreement and through certain incentives, EPA and its SmartWay partners expect to build on the SmartWay program’s success in cutting fuel costs, reducing harmful diesel emissions, preserving jobs, and protecting air quality.
(In 2004, EPA launched SmartWay - a brand that represents environmentally cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options. Since 2004, SmartWay partners including many of the country’s top retailers, trucking and rail companies and manufacturers have reduced fuel use, cut foreign oil imports by 50 million barrels and saved an estimated $6.1 billion in fuel costs.)
1Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 is a size that is less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (μm) in aerodynamic diameter, and is respirable (can be breathed in).