EPA Ports Initiative Supported Through Funding and Improving Near-Port Community Quality of Life
The
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), created in 1956, is a self-sustaining public authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massport owns and operates several major maritime terminals within the Port of Boston (including the Conley Container Terminal and Black Falcon Cruise Terminal), and other maritime and real estate properties in South Boston, East Boston and Charlestown. Massport has made enhancements to the near-port community as well as significant reductions in air emissions through the following efforts.
Dedicated Freight Corridor and Park
The dedicated freight corridor will take trucks off neighborhood streets of South Boston. Additionally, Massport has plans to build and maintain a 4.2-acre park that will serve as a significant noise and visual buffer as well as an amenity for the adjacent residents.
Reductions in Idling and Truck Trips
The amount of time drayage trucks spend in the terminal has been reduced by 40 percent in the last 10 years. Through the use of technology and coordination with port stakeholders, Massport has avoided 21,000 truck trips per year into South Boston.
Truck Replacement Program
Since 2011, the Massport Clean Truck Program at the Conley Terminal has replaced 60 and plans to replace another 26 older drayage trucks with 2007 or newer trucks. These replacements have significantly reduced oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, and other emissions, although challenges to the program needed to be overcome.
Rubber Tire Gantry Cranes Repowered
In 2015, Massport replaced Tier 3 generator sets with EPA certified Tier 4 generator sets in five rubber tire gantry cranes. The replacements are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 percent, thus reducing overall emissions.
Read more about Massport's air emissions and community enhancements on EPA's Port Initiative website. |
