Here's What's Happening in Washington
Washington and Oregon Coordinating Electrification
Through Portland State University, Oregon and Washington are coordinating metro area electrification on a bi-state basis for the metro Portland and Seattle deployment project funded by USDOE involving Nissan and Ecotality.
Both states expect to have fast-charging infrastructure in place along the I-5 by the end of October 2011. Spaced at intervals of 30 to 80 miles, the stations will enable EV travel the entire length of I-5 in the Northwest.
Electric Highway Project
The Washington State Department of Commerce and WSDOT are teaming up to implement the nation’s first “electric highway,” a basic network of public access electric vehicle (EV) recharging locations along Interstate 5. Once implemented, Washington will have the first border to border highway to offer fast charge technology. The electric highway will support mass-produced plug-in electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, and Chevrolet Volt.
Washington’s “electric highway” connects Puget Sound electric vehicle drivers participating in the EV project with other communities along I-5. The EV Project, a Department of Energy recovery grant demonstration, is bringing 900 Nissan Leaf vehicles and more than 2,000 EV charging stations to the Seattle area.
Through the Project, the state will partner with private companies to install fast charging infrastructure in critical charging zones in unserved locations along major interstates. Electric vehicle charging every 40 - 60 miles will provide a safety net for EV drivers traveling long distances. Ultimately the infrastructure will enable electric vehicle drivers to travel the length of the state along the 276 miles of I-5 between Washington’s borders with Oregon and Canada.
Port of Seattle's Clean Truck Rules Go Into Effect
January 1, 2011
Beginning January 1, 2011, all drayage trucks must adhere to new Clean Truck Program Guidelines to enter Port of Seattle Cargo Terminals.
Program requirements are:
- 1. All trucks must have model-year 1994 or newer engines.
- 2. All trucks must be registered in the Port’s Drayage Truck Registry and display the Green Gateway sticker on the driver’s side door.
Job Creation, Environment Lead Port of Seattle
Investments for 2011
On November 30, 2010, The Port of Seattle Commission authorized the port’s annual budget and plan of finance, approving nearly $400 million in capital projects. The budget invests over $9 million in transportation infrastructure and $11.6 million in environmental projects. Over $11 million will be invested in the Green Port Initiative, a comprehensive program implementing storm water treatment, energy conservation, and emission reduction programs across port facilities.
Port of Seattle Earns National "Green Fleet" Award
The Port of Seattle earned a national Green Fleet award for its environmental practices, making it number 20 out of 100 in a nationwide survey of federal, state, and local vehicle fleets. The Port achieved this award by its use of biodiesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles, a fleet policy which includes a green fleet section, the Port’s overall commitment to programs relating to air quality, and aggressive green practices at its Marine Maintenance shop.
The Port of Seattle began using CNG vehicles in 2002, added hybrid vehicles to its fleet in 2003, and using biodiesel in 2006. The port has also been an active policy leader for the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS), a partnership between the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver, BC, to support reductions in maritime and port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific Northwest.
First cargo ship in Pacific Northwest plugs into shore power at Port of Tacoma
October 27, 2010
Sparked by an EPA grant worth nearly $1.5 million, two TOTE cargo ships will now plug into electrical power and shut down diesel engines while docked during weekly calls at their Tacoma terminal.
The $2.7 million shore power project will reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent during TOTE’s 100 ship calls each year in Tacoma. That equals about 1.9 tons of diesel particulates and 1,360 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
