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Released: 5/5/2008 

DRPA Facilitates Green Ports Initiative with Local Port Operators

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the Delaware River Port Authority today took a major step toward making the ports in South Jersey and Philadelphia more environmentally friendly. The agreement solidified a partnership among DRPA and port agencies South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) to launch a “Green Ports” initiative.

The “Green Ports” initiative will assist all three agencies in creating a cooperative approach to develop environmental programs and projects aimed at reducing or neutralizing the impact of port operations upon the environment and the surrounding community.

“All three agencies share the same waterway and as a result share the responsibility of maintaining a clean environment,” said DRPA Chairman Designee John Estey. “By banding together, we can leverage our capabilities to improve the environment in which we live and work.

“We live in a world where pollution and its effect on our livelihood has become a pressing concern, said DRPA Vice Chairman Jeff Nash. “As leaders in the port community, we feel that we should do our part to find solutions to decrease the impact of port operations on the surrounding community”

Over the next few months, the organizations will work together to select a consultant, who will review operations at DRPA, SJPC and PRPA facilities in order to recommend short term and long term alternatives for making port operations more environmentally friendly. A few examples of greening solutions that may be explored include energy/water conservation, electric or alternative fuel vehicles and equipment,, renewable sources of energy (solar and wind installations), new technologies and innovations in logistics processes (traffic management controls, congestion mitigation) and green buildings/facilities.

“DRPA has a long-standing commitment to clean air, clean water and sustainable development, said DRPA Chief Executive Officer John J. Matheussen. “Partnering with PRPA and SJPC for the Green Ports initiative demonstrates our effort to improve our impact on the environment.”

DRPA, SJPC and PRPA join other port operators such as Port Authority of NY/NJ and the Port of Long Beach in California in taking real steps to “green” America’s ports.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation and development agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

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