Across the United States, local officials are modernizing their maritime ports, aiming to improve air quality for the coastal communities near these centers of trade. Alaska is one of the states leading the way in this endeavor. The state’s comprehensive pollution reduction plan impressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which awarded $47.6 million to Alaska as a part of the Clean Ports Program. This funding will support the planning and implementation of technological upgrades that are designed to cleanse the air supply by curtailing diesel emissions. These toxins are disseminated when ships and cargo-handling vehicles run their engines. It is vital to mitigate their harmful effects because, if humans are exposed to diesel pollution for a protracted period of time, they may eventually suffer from various medical afflictions.
Federal administrators selected two Alaskan projects to join a cohort of 55 successful applications. The first grant is worth $1.9 million and can be categorized as a Climate and Air Quality Planning Award. Like South Carolina’s strategy for Charleston Harbor, Anchorage’s Don Young Port of Alaska will use the funding to conduct an emissions inventory before determining the feasibility of hydrogen-powered equipment. The remaining $45.7 million is devoted to a more ambitious initiative at the Port of Seward, a popular cruise destination near Kenai Fjords National Park. This project is classified as a Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Grant and will aid in the construction of a shore power system. These devices enable vessels to plug themselves directly into the electrical grid, and this capability allows them to shut off their engines while docked, preventing the spread of diesel pollutants. The state of Maine also hopes to adopt this technology, and our article about their strategy explains the particulars of shore power in greater detail.
Photo Courtesy Topline Cruise
In a press release, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) elaborated on the myriad of advantages created by the Clean Ports Program: “This announcement is big for Seward, and for Alaska. The EPA’s grant will reduce emissions, noise, and fuel consumption for vessels in the Port of Seward while bolstering grid stability, lowering energy costs, and promoting community workforce development. I’m proud to have worked with local officials and stakeholders to facilitate these transformative resources for a great project that will deliver benefits for years to come.”
Senator Murkowski’s reference to grid stability is especially significant because of the high electricity demand required by shore power technology. Fortunately, Alaskan officials have anticipated this challenge and are erecting a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in an effort to magnify their local power supply. Additional grid upgrades will include the extension of the electric transmission line to the docks and the creation of a switchgear. In order to construct this complex apparatus, the Alaska Vocational Center (AVTEC) is developing an educational program that teaches port workers how to operate shore power and grid technologies.
Photo Courtesy Cruise Industry News
Seward’s air quality initiative is a part of a series of modernization projects that will expand the port’s cruise ship capacity, to meet the demands of the state’s surge in tourism. The 2023 season set a state record with 1.65 million cruise vacationers visiting Alaska in a single year. The picture above showcases a 3D rendering of the completed infrastructure. One of the most significant inclusions will be replacing Seward’s fixed pier with a floating docking station in order to handle a greater volume of large vessels. A strong cruise industry greatly benefited the state’s economy; however, the busier ports also led to an increase in diesel emissions. Alaska’s shore power project will address this concern, allowing the port to enter into a new era of sustainable growth while also ensuring that Alaskans can enjoy a healthy air quality.
Seward Mayor Sue McClure’s statement to the press reflects this optimistic sentiment: “The Port of Seward’s shore power project will place Seward among the forefront of sustainable ports in North America. By reducing reliance on diesel generators, we are not only cutting emissions but also enhancing the resilience of our local electric grid.”
