Author Archives: Marcelo Norsworthy

Voluntary Clean Truck Programs Reduce Emissions At Ports, But Fall Short Of Clean Air Goals

By | Bio | Published: May 15, 2013

Voluntary truck replacement programs at ports are a common means of improving local air quality without imposing strict restrictions.  However, new research shows that these voluntary programs, while a critical component of a comprehensive clean air plan for ports, are limited in their overall effectiveness, especially when considered in the context of mandatory programs.  A new peer-reviewed study by Environmental Defense Fund, “Emissions reduction analysis of voluntary clean truck programs at U.S. ports”, will be published in the July issue of Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment.  The study, authored by Elena Craft, PhD and me, demonstrates that voluntary programs only reduce emissions by one to four percent compared to a baseline of truck emissions before program implementation.  Furthermore, the potential emission reductions are limited to 15 percent for particulate matter (PM) and 35 percent for nitrous oxides (NOx), two pollutants linked to serious health risks.  This means that, under current program guidelines, only a fraction of total truck emissions could be reduced through voluntary replacements.  These findings are striking given the accomplishments noted at ports that have implemented more rigorous programs, such as the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program, which set a progressive ban on older, more polluting trucks, ultimately requiring the use of clean trucks that meet the 2007 emissions standards.

This is a critical environmental and public health issue.  Short-haul drayage trucks have been found to contribute substantially to port area air pollution, and there is broad consensus from communities, cargo owners, transportation providers, and ports that older trucks need to be retrofitted or retired in order to reduce the public health risk from emissions associated with freight transportation.

In 2009, EDF announced a partnership with the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Port of Houston to replace older, polluting trucks with new, cleaner models.  The outcome of this partnership resulted in the best incentive program in the country for owner-operator truck drivers.  The Drayage Loan Program combined federal and state grants to provide drivers with low-interest loans and high value grants to trade in their truck.  While voluntary programs, such as the one at the Port of Houston, have helped build stakeholder support and drive progress toward cleaner air, the limited capability of voluntary programs, as demonstrated by this study, highlights the need for stronger actions on behalf of all partners.  This is especially true for Houston, as emissions from trucks operating at the port are estimated to amount to approximately half of all emissions within the port’s 2015 projected emissions inventory.  Read More »

Posted in Air Pollutants, Drayage, Houston, Transportation | Tagged | 2 Responses

Clean Air Strategies Needed At Port of Houston As Commission Reports Record Year, Projects Growth

By | Bio | Published: March 11, 2013

Source: Port of Houston

On February 26, the Port of Houston Authority Commission reviewed its operations and approved a 2013 budget with a higher total revenue, net income and profit margin than either 2011 or 2012. The port also projected growth in both 2013 and 2014 and reported a record year in 2012 in terms of total tonnage (the number of tons coming into the port). The nearly 20 percent increase in the amount of tonnage at the port between 2010 and 2014 (projected) and the cruise business that will draw more than 100 vessel calls over the next several years are expected to contribute to regional air quality challenges. Couple the additional traffic from the port with population growth in the metro region, current nonattainment status for ozone and strengthened standards for particulate matter, and the Port of Houston faces an uphill climb in helping the region meet its air quality goals.

EDF has promoted clean air strategies in Houston for many years and has worked closely with the port on implementation strategies that have made a real difference in reducing air pollution. There is much more to do, and EDF is looking forward to taking the next steps with the port on actions that include:

Source: Port of Houston

  • Comprehensive adoption and implementation of revamped Clean Air Strategy Plan (a framework for emissions mitigation programs at the port)
  • Increased support for the Clean Truck Program (by 2015, almost half of all emissions at the port are expected to come from trucks)
  • Buy-in from port executives for environmental strategies
  • A plan to mitigate emissions resulting from the additional cruise traffic
  • Support for the environmental performance benchmarking system
  • Engagement with local communities on ambient air quality concerns

Importantly, the Texas Legislature is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 13 to discuss, among other issues, a bill that would significantly reform governance at the Port of Houston Authority. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, comes as a direct result of the Sunset Review conducted last year and is an opportune time for our state policymakers and port leadership to advance clean air policies at the Port of Houston.

The 2013 budget paints a bright financial future for the port. Now is the time to make sound investments in emissions mitigation programs that will ensure sustainable growth and help protect everybody’s clean air.

Posted in Air Pollution, Houston | Leave a comment

EDF Works With Stakeholders To Develop Recognition Program For Top Performing Ports/Terminals

By | Bio | Published: January 24, 2013

Last October, Environmental Defense Fund co-hosted a workshop with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) on performance metrics at ports. On Thursday, January 17, a group of thought leaders from the October workshop gathered to memorialize the workshop and discuss how those metrics might be used to highlight top performing ports with regard to environmental performance. The meeting specifically focused on air pollution as related to the movement of containers at large ports.

The diverse set of participants represented some of the nation’s largest ports, including Port of Long Beach, Port of Seattle, Virginia Ports Authority, Port of Houston Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Jacksonville Port Authority as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, AAPA, and the Coalition for Responsible Transportation. Discussion ranged from typical terminal performance metrics currently in place at ports to cutting edge environmental initiatives that are underway as well as considerations on how to be inclusive of differences in port size and management/operational structures.

As the collaborative process of developing a recognition program for top performing ports and terminals moves forward, EDF and other stakeholders will be reaching out to additional constituencies to ensure that the group develops an environmental performance toolkit that balances local needs and circumstances while addressing industry-wide challenges. We envision that the performance metric toolkit will encompass a variety of modes and sectors of activity at ports, including ships, heavy-duty trucks, cargo handling equipment, rail, and harbor craft. Many ports currently have programs that mitigate emissions from these sectors and the toolkit is anticipated to serve as a foundation for highlighting top environmental performers in the field.

As supply chain sustainability becomes a more visible concern, federal health-based air quality standards are strengthened, and the Panama Canal expansion presents new opportunities for the shipping industry, we expect that the effort to establish environmental performance metrics will help drive efficiency and environmental improvements at ports. Together, with our stakeholders, we look forward to continuing the dialogue and building an effective tool for port sustainability and environmental recognition.

Posted in Panama Canal, Ports, Transportation | Leave a comment

Panama Canal Expansion May Yield Significant Emission Implications For Shippers, Carriers And Port Authorities

By | Bio | Published: December 17, 2012

The current expansion of the Panama Canal, expected to be completed by early 2015, creates tremendous opportunities for the global freight transportation industry and may have significant effects on many ports in the United States, particularly in Houston and other Gulf areas. Today, I am happy to announce the publication of a peer-reviewed paper that analyzes the environmental implications of potential changes in container shipping as a result of the expansion. “Panama Canal Expansion: Emission Changes from Possible U.S. West Coast Modal Shift ,” is featured in a special issue of the journal Carbon Management. This paper, a collaboration by researchers at the University of Delaware, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), estimates changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and regional criteria pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Our study found that using larger, more efficient container ships instead of the traditional truck/rail overland network for East Coast-bound cargo may not necessarily offset the increase in carbon emissions resulting from a longer waterborne distance traveled. Although the carbon effects may be negligible, localized air pollution is anticipated to rise in ports with projected growth in cargo volume. This includes the emissions of criteria pollutants that increase the risk for health impacts, such as asthma and lung disease. Ports located in federal nonattainment areas, such as the Port of Houston, could be faced with additional traffic from the Panama Canal expansion that creates further air quality concerns (see our previous post on this issue). Although some ports, shippers and carriers are working to improve their environmental performance, more needs to be done to ensure we leverage the opportunities from an enhanced Panama Canal.

Air pollution concerns are even more relevant now for Houston now that the U.S. EPA has strengthened the annual particulate matter (PM) standard to 12 micrograms per cubic meter. This change, projected to save thousands of lives, reinforces the need to understand future emissions scenarios and strategically improve air quality.

As our paper illustrates, short sea shipping may be one way to alleviate traffic and pollutant emissions along the East and Gulf Coasts. As the shipping sector evolves following the Canal expansion, we are researching the impact of short sea shipping and other strategies to understand how they might mitigate some greenhouse gas and criteria emissions as well as increase reliability, network optimization and time of delivery.

As carriers and shippers look to reduce their environmental footprint, our report demonstrates that a systems approach must be taken to fully understand the effects of route selection, modes and distribution networks. An intermodal strategy can best take advantage of infrastructure developments such as the Canal expansion, provided that we carefully consider all of the costs and benefits. We continue to evaluate the impact of an expanded Panama Canal for the Houston region, and are working tirelessly to ensure that any growth is smart growth.

Posted in Air Pollution, Houston, Panama Canal, Ports, Transportation | Leave a comment

International Dialogue Highlights Global Opportunities for Supply Chain Sustainability

By | Bio | Published: November 13, 2012

Complete supply chains are inherently international and logistics decisions made in Bentonville, Arkansas can have impacts in ports such as Callao, Peru just as carrier choices made in Santiago, Chile may affect operations in Houston, Texas. While these complexities present challenges to the transportation and logistics sectors, they are also opportunities to collaborate across regions, companies, and industries. Much of the work required to improve air quality in transportation hot spots and drive efficiency gains in routing and distribution networks involves myriad actors. Of course, carbon accounting and technology adaptation are practices that are not limited to the U.S. and there is growing international interest in making supply chains more sustainable.

An example of new opportunities to engage more broadly on supply chain sustainability comes from last month’s Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Annual Conference. I met a representative from the Buenos Aires-based radio program “Hablemos de Logística” and we discussed trade growth in Latin America, environmental challenges facing the region, industry views on supply chain sustainability, and EDF’s vision and goals for regional efforts on transportation and logistics environmental programs. This interview (in Spanish), which aired on the October 23rd broadcast of “Hablemos de Logística,” captures some of our discussion. The radio program’s media group also includes Foro Logística, an event-based group that hosted the 4th Forum on Sustainability and the Supply Chain on November 6 in Buenos Aires. While the media group focuses on all aspects of supply chain and logistics topics, they understand the growing role that sustainability will play in this sector.

As EDF helps bring sound science and market-based economics to solving some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges, we are regularly looking for new partners and new opportunities. The global nature of supply chains and growing international awareness of transportation-related environmental concerns means there is better availability to work with diverse stakeholders on supply chain sustainability. This work translates to carbon reductions and air quality improvements for numerous regions as sustainability practices (such as those highlighted by my colleague Elena Craft) become more fully integrated in global supply chains.

La logística es internacional por su naturaleza y el interés en la sustentabilidad de la supply chain va creciendo cada año en América Latina. EDF se ha dedicado a solucionar temas de la huella de carbono, la eficiencia en transporte de carga y la contaminación del aire con varios socios del sector comercial, transportación y público. En la conferencia de CSCMP tuvimos la oportunidad de conversar con Fabio Contino, Director de “Hablemos de logística” un programa de radio basado en Buenos Aires. Hablamos sobre  los desafíos medioambientales en la región, el rol de sustentabilidad en la supply chain y la visión de EDF para una logística más eficiente y sustentable. La entrevista fue emitida en el programa del 23 de octubre y también online. EDF espera avanzar estos temas en América Latina y trabajar con autoridades portuarias, el sector del transporte, coordinadores de logística y el sector comercial para realizar una supply chain más sustentable.

 

Posted in Ports, Transportation | Leave a comment

Drayage Loan Program In Houston Begins New Chapter

By | Bio | Published: November 1, 2012

Since 2009, the Drayage Loan Program (DLP) has worked to replace older, more polluting trucks in the Houston area with newer, cleaner trucks by providing critical funding and support to local independent owner operators and drayage fleets. (Drayage is a term used to mean the transport of goods over a short distance). The innovative program, administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) and supported by the Port of Houston Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and numerous drayage companies and truck dealerships, combines low-interest loans and substantial grants to fund the fleet turnover. This effort has led to the successful replacement of 138 drayage trucks, engaged numerous drivers and carriers, and has spent nearly the entire original EPA SmartWay grant. The DLP has also leveraged grants and other financial opportunities, including state TERP funding. At full implementation, the program is expected to eliminate 1,638 tons of nitrogen oxide, 26.7 tons of particulate matter, and 3,636 tons of carbon dioxide. This represents an important step toward reducing air pollution in the Houston area.

The end of this year, however, marks the official conclusion of the Drayage Loan Program based on the original EPA funding award. This means that any drivers, fleet managers, or others interested in the program should act as soon as possible by submitting an application to HGAC. While there is still sufficient loan and grant funding available, there is limited time to disburse those funds. An amended form of the program is expected to continue into next year, though there may be less funding available due to the conclusion of the original terms.

The DLP has achieved significant emissions reductions benefits for the Houston area and all of the project partners remain committed to work with community and industry stakeholders to bring healthier air to the Houston region. This program is a model of multi-sector partnerships and innovative financing opportunities that can serve to inspire similar efforts.

More information, including loan and grant application materials, may be found at HGAC’s DLP website.

Posted in Drayage, Houston, Ports | Leave a comment

Railroad Sustainability Symposium Highlights Environmental Opportunities For Rail Sector

By | Bio | Published: September 27, 2012

While most of EDF’s freight transportation clean air efforts address emissions from the trucking and ocean sector, use of our nation’s railroad system for intermodal goods movement has been growing. In fact, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports that intermodal traffic on U.S. rail has risen from 6 million units in 1990 to nearly 12 million in 2011.

As rail lines come to view intermodal as a growth sector and revenue generator, there are significant opportunities to ensure that freight transportation remains on a path toward sustainability. In that context, Norfolk Southern and GE Transportation hosted the 2nd Annual Railroad Sustainability Symposium last week to highlight current sustainability practices in the sector and to create a dialogue about how sustainability impacts railroads, freight transportation and supply chain logistics.

The symposium covered a wide range of topics including new locomotive technology, sustainability measurement, and land restoration efforts. Perhaps most relevant to clean air issues in environmental hotspots was an update on the NS 999, an electric switcher locomotive prototype first rolled out in 2009 by Norfolk Southern. This locomotive was designed with the express purpose of serving rail yards, an area with high traffic density and idling rates, as well as harmful emissions.

The NS 999 emits no pollutants from combustion and would be most impactful in reducing harmful criteria pollutants which threaten public health. Efforts to continue testing and developing the locomotive are ongoing, but the NS 999 represents a significant effort to address emissions at some of the most critical junctures of the supply chain.

Also of particular interest was the discussion on metrics and calculations for sustainability efforts. A number of companies represented at the symposium are a part of the Carbon Disclosure Project and/or the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Many spoke of the need for accountability of emissions estimations and third-party verification of data that feeds into sustainability and emissions modeling.

The AAR showcased their carbon calculator, a popular tool also used by other transportation stakeholders like the Port of Seattle. These calculators estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions avoided by using a particular route or mode. Companies, shareholders, regulators and other interest groups continue to push for transparency in sustainability to allow consumers and suppliers of transportation services to measure their impact and achievements in this area.

The symposium was informative and the dialogue collaborative as representatives from the rail industry, shippers, logistics partners and others met to advance the sustainability agenda for railroads. Rail is a growing player in the intermodal market and new infrastructure developments across the country promise to spur additional growth for this sector.

Houston is recognized as a major rail hub for the region and at the Port of Houston, locomotives represent approximately 13 percent of port nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 8 percent of port particulate matter (PM) emissions according to the 2007 Goods Movement Air Emissions Inventory. As we work towards improving air quality in environmental hotspots and reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain, we look forward to engaging with rail partners on freight sustainability.

Posted in Goods Movement, Houston, Ports, Transportation | 4 Responses

Texas Sunset Commission Identifies Major Opportunities for Improvement At The Port Of Houston

By | Bio | Published: August 13, 2012

In a much-anticipated report on the management of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), the Sunset Commission, as directed by the Texas legislature, identified several opportunities to improve aspects of port management, including accountability and stakeholder trust.

Credit: Air Alliance Houston

Released on August 3, the 95-page report includes a series of recommendations for improvement in a number of basic management and fiduciary areas at the port. [Note: The Authority has until August 17 to respond and final comments will be submitted during a public hearing on September 5.]

While the report reaffirms the Authority’s ongoing “responsibility as a government agency,” it also highlights a pervasive “lack of accountability.” Understanding that the port is a unique institution, PHA is criticized in the report for not following a number of best practices in either the private or public sector.

One example of the port not following best management practices includes a controversial development fund, which was “modeled after the way private businesses operated” at the time of its inception in 1949. Today, “the Authority does not set spending limits for travel or entertainment” even though many companies and other organizations enforce stricter controls on such expenditures. This issue highlights PHA’s complex role of straddling public sector responsibilities with private sector expectations.

The report also identifies that public stakeholder trust in the Authority has steadily eroded, and finds that PHA “lacks a proactive public engagement strategy” to rebuild that trust. While community relationships are identified as critical to advancing PHA’s mission, the report suggests that current efforts are not enough to meet the needs of concerned citizens or the port itself. PHA’s handling of the failed cruise terminal and the current Bayport expansion are explicitly cited as two instances of public outreach efforts overall characterized as “reactive”. Transparency at the Authority was mentioned as a key issue for many stakeholders and will become increasingly important as the port seeks to expand due to projected increases in container throughput and the Panama Canal expansion.

As EDF continues to work in partnership with PHA to reduce emissions from oceangoing vessels, trains, cargo handling equipment, and port trucks and improve Houston air quality, we are encouraged by this report’s findings and recommendations. Residential areas immediately neighboring port facilities, commonly known as fenceline communities, bear many of the public health impacts of port activities. The reforms recommended in this report will help amplify their voice and ensure that stewardship of public goods, including air, water, land, and funds, become factors in port decision-making. These reforms will also make PHA stronger and better equipped to handle the inevitable diverse pressures over the next several years.

Posted in Houston, Panama Canal, Ports | Leave a comment

Transportation A Key Concern For Houston Officials Due To Anticipated Growth For Population And Economy

By | Bio | Published: July 27, 2012

Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) released a report on expected urban growth and the role that transportation plays in metropolitan economies. Confirming numerous other studies, the “Gross Metropolitan Product and Critical Role of Transportation Infrastructure” report notes that Texas leads the nation for cities with the challenging combination of very large populations and growth rates that outpace the rest of the country. At the top of the list is Greater Houston, with a current population of 6.2 million and an expected 2012 economic growth rate of 3.5 percent. This is notably higher than the growth rates of other large metropolitan areas such as Chicago (1.2 percent), New York (1.8 percent), Atlanta (1.8 percent), and Los Angeles (1.7 percent). While this may be positive news for job growth and economic development in the Lone Star State, Houston’s already overburdened transportation system will face tremendous pressures.

At the same time that population and economic output is rising, public spending on transportation infrastructure is decreasing and congestion costs are increasing. In fact, Houston has been characterized as the 7th most congested city in the nation, with Houstonians paying an average of $1,322 a year in annual congestion costs.   This issue is exacerbated in Houston due to its increasingly important role as a transportation hub. The USCM report highlights the role of international trade in our nation’s economic growth and its dependence on our freight movement system. However, the report also expresses grave concerns about the current state of that congestion system and the funding needed to expand and improve transportation infrastructure. For example, the Port of Houston Authority is currently awaiting a response from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an application to dredge a portion of the Houston Ship Channel and therefore expand its Bayport Container Terminal. Funding for this project and related infrastructure development is still uncertain.

We need innovative thinking on behalf of our public and private sector leaders to accommodate a larger population and greater demand on transportation infrastructure. Stressors such as congestion costs and environmental impacts will be intensified without strategic mitigation policies. As Houston and the rest of Texas continue to grow at an extremely fast pace, EDF is committed to help ensure that needed development is sustainable for our economy and our environment.

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USACE Releases Report On U.S. Port And Inland Waterways Modernization To Prepare For Panama Canal Expansion

By | Bio | Published: July 3, 2012

(Credit: www.britannica.com)

On June 20, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) submitted a vision and strategy document to Congress for the development of port and inland waterway infrastructure related to Panama Canal expansion. Expected to be completed in late 2014 or early 2015, the expansion will double the capacity of the Canal by allowing larger container ships to travel through the channel. U.S. ports seek to capture much of that traffic and are engaged in numerous projects to increase their capacity, primarily by dredging (the removal of sediment from a waterway) the areas leading to their terminals.

The Panama Canal expansion, U.S. port modernization and subsequent expected rise in container volumes at U.S. ports may have adverse environmental effects if proactive mitigation steps are not undertaken. With respect to air pollution, many ports are located in areas already burdened by unhealthy air and the potential rise in emissions from increased traffic would further deteriorate local air quality. EDF has worked with a number of ports on air quality mitigation programs and the USACE report indicates that further measures may be needed to ensure the well-being of the local population and environment.

Key findings from the USACE report include:

  • The southern and southeastern portions of the country are the fastest-growing region in the nation and demand for goods from these areas will drive local demand for transportation services.
  • Infrastructure development effects on air pollution, land use, water quality, species conservation and environmental justice will “play an important role in modernization decisions.” Mitigation programs will help alleviate environmental risk.
  • Limited federal and state funding requires the development of innovating financing to fully fund the port and inland waterway transportation network. Not all modernization projects will be fully funded and the prioritization decision-making process will be influenced by a variety of factors.
  • There is great uncertainty over the exact routing, throughput, timing, and trade pattern effects that the expansion will have on each particular port. This uncertainty complicates any funding prioritization strategy.

EDF submitted comments to drafts of the USACE report regarding the environmental factors that should be considered for the port expansion projects. These comments included:

  • The need for a comprehensive port environmental policy evaluation system based on transparent and scientifically rigorous data.
  • The localized public health effects due to port activities that further burden environmental justice communities.
  • Ongoing congestion at many ports and the environmental impacts that result from these inefficiencies.

As ports add infrastructure to handle expected growth in trade and container volumes, we will work to ensure that port modernization supports economic prosperity, public health and environmental quality. An efficient and sustainable transportation system removes barriers to commerce by providing a low-cost and reliable service. Many environmental goals also result in freight movement efficiency gains and there is tremendous opportunity to make sure that the U.S. response to Panama Canal expansion benefits both the economy and clean air.

Posted in Air Pollution, Panama Canal, Ports | 1 Response