The Northwest Seaport Alliance members recently accepted a $782,482 EPA grant that will help the operator of the South Intermodal Yard in Tacoma, Rail Management Services, to turn its six diesel-powered terminal tractors into battery-electric tractors.
This grant will pave the way for the installation of the gateway’s first permanent deployment of electric cargo-handling equipment, said John McCarthy, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
“Through our partnership with (Rail Management Services) and Tacoma Power, these upgrades will replace nearly 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel with clean electricity annually, resulting in reductions of diesel particulate matter emissions of 1.4 tons per year and 260 tons of greenhouse gas,” he said.
RMS has 10 vehicles with a mix of Tier 2 and Tier 3 non-road diesel engines.
“As an intermodal provider operating more than 50 terminals and performing over 9,000,000 lifts a year, Rail Management Services consistently refines its operations to find the most innovative and cost-effective assets available,” said Ed Morgenthaler, vice president of Rail Management Services. “With our decades long standing relationship at the Port of Tacoma and with NWSA, RMS is proud to be included in this electric hostler venture which will reduce emissions and create a safer, cleaner environment for our employees.”
