Aneffort to replaceolddray truckshasbeen
successful in reducing emissions at the Port of
Baltimore, and as a result, the Maryland Port
Administration (MPA) is seeking additional
funding to keep the program running.
Many dray trucks – which are large, diesel
trucks that haul freight fromPort facilities to local
distribution points – are older vehicles with high
emission rates.But,with theassistanceof theMid-
AtlanticDrayTruckReplacementProgram,80newer,
cleaner-runningdray truckshavebeenpurchasedby
independentowner-operators,andat least twomore
truckswill beaddedby theendof 2014.
Last year, the MPA encouraged companies
at the Port to apply for incentives to purchase
new trucks under a program underwritten by
federal and state funds. TheMPA andMaryland
Department of Transportation (MDOT) provided
financial support to enhance the Dray Truck
Replacement Program, whichwas developedby
a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The program is administered
by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management
Association (MARAMA) and the University of
MarylandEnvironmental FinanceCenter.
“The participation of the Maryland Port
Administration really enhanced the Regional
Dray Truck Replacement Program,” said Susan
Wierman, ExecutiveDirector ofMARAMA. “Port
leaders were there from the beginning, helping
todesign theprogram. Theyset asidestate funds
to leverage additional grant funds for trucks
serving thePort of Baltimore. Theyalsoprovided
crucial assistance ingetting theword out about
the program and confirming Port service by
applicants.”
Replacing 80 dray trucks serving the Port
reducedemissions of pollutants that formozone
smog. Nitrogen oxides (NOX) were reduced by
about 90 tonsper year, andhydrocarbons (HC)by
between3and4 tonsper year.Over theestimated
lifetime of the trucks replaced, thismeansmore
than 1,000 tonsofNOXandnearly44 tonsofHC.
The program also reduced diesel particulate
matter emissions. MARAMA estimates that
reduction isabout 4 tonsper year, amounting to
about 47 tonsof fineparticlesover the lifetimeof
the trucks replaced. Theseemissions reductions
will help people breathe more easily wherever
these trucks are used.
“The successes achieved by this program in
cleaningup theairnotonlyat thePortbutalong the
routes traveledbydray trucks throughout the region
are a shining example of howpublic-privatepart-
nerships canmakea real difference in improving
the environment and the health of our communi-
ties,” saidJoanneM. Throwe, Director, University
of Maryland Environmental Finance Center.
On average, the trucks replaced had 1996
engines,while theaveragenew truckwasmodel
year 2009. Replacement trucks ranged in price
from about $40,000 to about $70,000, so even
witha$20,000down-payment provided through
the program, the replacements represented a
substantial commitment on thepart of the truck
owners. Owners’ loancommitments totaledmore
than$2.5million.
Companies applying for funds through the
dray truck replacement program are prioritized
by specificcriteria, including theageof the truck
and the number of trips it takes to and from the
Port of Baltimore. Any vehicles being replaced
must be scrapped so that they do not remain in
service and create pollution.
The MPA’s ultimate goal is to reduce emis-
sions, particularly fromdiesel enginesoperating
at the Port, and promote cleaner air. Initiatives
suchas thedray truck replacement programun-
derscorehow thepublicandprivatesectorswork
together tohelp achieve these goals.
AsMARAMA’sWiermannoted, “Thisprogram
depended on the collaborative efforts of many
people, and MARAMA is very grateful for the
important part played by the Maryland Port
Administration.”
PowerOver Pollution
EffortsMade toKeepDray TruckProgramRunning
Last year, theMPA encouraged
companies at thePort to apply for
incentives topurchasenew trucks
under aprogramunderwrittenby
federal and state funds.
PORT
ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY
[
24
]
ThePort of Baltimore
■
March/April 2014
