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GPA wins SEDC Community Leadership Award
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has been acknowledged by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a leader in the reduction of carbon emissions.
The Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC), a public-private partnership formed by the US EPA Region 4 office, named the port authority as its Community
Leadership Award winner for its efforts to improve air quality and public health by reducing emissions from existing diesel engines.
“The GPA has voluntarily undertaken many projects to decrease diesel fuel consumption, resulting in improved air quality,” said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
“Some of those projects include our innovative eRTGs or electric rubber tired gantry cranes, the repower of diesel RTGs with variable alternators, and the retrofit of 11 switch locomotives by GPA’s partner, Rail Link.”
In December 2012, the GPA unveiled its first four electrified rubber-tired gantry cranes. The GPA board recently approved spending US$8 million for Phase II of the eRTG project, which will convert 10 additional diesel RTGs to electric power, and install conductor rails at 12 more container blocks. GPA’s transition to an eRTG fleet should be complete by 2024.
“Cutting diesel consumption means not only cleaner air, but also lower energy costs,” added Foltz.
“Better cross-terminal truck transit means less idling and quicker turn times, but also reduced emissions.”
