EPA Awards $2.4 Million Clean Diesel Grant to Maryland Environmental Service to Help Reduce Emissions at the Port of Baltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MILLERSVILLE, MD – Maryland Environmental Service (MES) will receive a $2.4 million clean diesel grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) on behalf of its business partner the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA), operator of the Port of Baltimore. Through this grant, the Hogan Administration’s commitment to strong environmental stewardship will help the Port reduce emissions from diesel powered equipment utilized at the Port.

“We are very pleased the U.S. EPA selected us for funding of this important project, which will reduce the carbon footprint at the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Environmental Service Director and CEO Roy McGrath. “In addition to creating a greener Port, nearby communities will benefit directly from the reduction of emissions,” added Mr. McGrath.

The total cost of the project is $6,287,622, consisting of $2,453,952 in EPA grant funds, and $3,822,267 in owner-match funds. The project will replace existing diesel-powered equipment with newer, lower emissions equipment. Among the equipment being replaced on this project are:

-30 cargo handling pieces of equipment such as forklifts and terminal tractors

-35 dray trucks, which are short haul trucks that pull containers in and out of the Port.

The project will also include the installation of new, lower emission engines on the Baltimore Inner Harbor tour boat Spirit of Baltimore, owned by Entertainment Cruises.

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About MES

Established in 1970, MES operates 1,000 environmental projects and services across the Mid-Atlantic Region, and employees over 800 teammates. An independent, self-supporting State agency, MES enhances and protects Maryland’s environment through innovative solutions to the region’s most complex environmental challenges. MES is a unique, not-for-profit public corporation that combines public sector commitment to environmental protection with private sector flexibility and responsiveness. MES receives no direct State operations funding, and does not have regulatory authority. More than two-thirds of MES’ revenues flow directly to the private sector. To learn more, visit www.menv.com.