Port Everglades first to sign on for EPA air emissions study

While the port already meets mandated air quality standards, 'we want to have a benchmark to measure any changes,' said Steven Cernak, Port Everglades chief executive and port director.

The EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality will work closely with the port to coordinate research and modeling encompassing all port-related operations, technologies and anticipated growth scenarios. The EPA also intends to develop separate emissions estimates for areas outside the port's boundaries, such as highways and railroads used by Port Everglades customers.

'This agreement is an important step forward in developing emission reduction scenarios and inventories for port communities,' said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. 'With this collaborative initiative, together EPA and Port Everglades can support sustainable development and cleaner air.'

As part of the partnership agreement, the port is providing a baseline emissions inventory for EPA's analysis. Port Everglades contracted with Starcrest Consulting Group to collect the data needed to generate a 2015 emission inventory for the port. Starcrest has worked for many years in domestic and international efforts related to air quality and greenhouse gases in the maritime sector.

The EPA will use the key findings of the Starcrest emissions inventory to help Port Everglades set goals to reduce emissions.

Future emission inventories will be conducted to track progress toward meeting the goals, essentially evaluating the effectiveness of new technology and operational strategies.

This will help the EPA to develop future methods and provide practical examples that can be shared with other ports, related agencies and stakeholders.