Transportation & greenhouse gas
Transportation emissions are the source for nearly half of all greenhouse gas (GHG) release in Washington. So it's no wonder WSDOT is striving to reduce carbon-based fuel emissions over the next ten years and beyond. In fact, reducing GHG emissions in our day-to-day operations and on the roads, waterways and airports we operate is an agency-wide objectives - and we have state leadership backing us up on this challenging endeavor.
 USDOT Highways and Climate Greenhouse gas (GHG) is a group of gases that exist naturally in Earth's atmosphere. Under normal conditions, these gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone, water vapor and methane, protect us from the sun’s radiation. Without this greenhouse effect, Earth cold not support life. But when too much GHG builds up in the atmosphere, it traps the sun's energy and warms the planet. Increasing temporatures affects the climate and causes extreme weather around the globe. |
In 2009 the Washington State Legislature passed a law (RCW 70.235.050) directing state agencies to annually measure their greenhouse gas emissions, estimate future emissions, track methods for reducing emissions and develop a strategy to meet the reduction targets. WSDOT has been tracking its emissions since 2009 and in 2011 developed a strategy to cut emissions by roughly 37,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e) over the next decade.
Emission reduction strategies
WSDOT identified strategies for meeting its 2020 reduction goal and prioritized them by achievability, initial cost and payback.
One strategy, for example, is fueling an increasing number state ferries with biodiesel. WSDOT closely monitors, tracks and reports progress toward our GHG reduction goals to the Department of Ecology. State law requires we submit reports every even numbered year.
Reducing GHG emissions in transportation is an agency-wide effort. From WSDOT's no-idling policy for vehicles and an emphasis on teleconferencing to our award-winning commute trip reduction (CTR) program, we are changing the way we do business for cleaner air and less emissions.
WSDOT’s plan is designed to conserve energy, fuels and funding while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 37,000 metric tons of MtCO2e over the next decade.
Where does transportation's greenhouse gas come from?
In 2006 transportation-related emissions accounted for 28 percent of GHG released in the U.S., making transportation second only to electricity generation for increasing GHG levels, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Climate scientists generally agree that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere should be no more than 350 parts per million to avoid major changes in climate; however our atmosphere now has about 393 parts per million of CO2. Scientists expect that number to rise by about two parts per million each year, until we substantially reduce CO2 emissions.
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WSDOT measured greenhouse gas emissions from commuting and business travel throughout the agency’s entire workforce to fine tune reduction strategies, such as teleconferencing, carpooling and using public transportation. We reduce business travel and single-occupant commutes by encouraging videoconferencing, teleconferencing, webinars, ridesharing, teleworking and making compressed work schedules available to our employees. These are just a few of the solutions that are helping us reach our goal — solutions that make economic and environmental sense and help communities thrive.
WSDOT fleet greenhouse gas reduction strategies |
Strategy
|
Est. annual GHG Reduction (MTCO2e) |
Increase vehicle fleet biodiesel use by 411,262 gallons in 2012
|
7,175 MTCO2e by 2013 |
Reduce gas consumption by an additional 5 percent to save 78,790 gallons annually
|
692 MTCO2e by 2015 |
Reduce diesel consumption by an additional 5percent to save 108,227 gallons annually
|
2,395 MTCO2e by 2015 |
Replace 360 small sedans and small SUVs with hybrid or electric vehicles
|
1,714 MTCO2e by 2020 |
Reduce Jumbo Mark 11 ferry engines from three to two per ferry to save 460,000 gallons of diesel annually
|
4,622 MTCO2e - ongoing |
Increase biodiesel use for ferries by 850,0000 gallons
|
8,647 MTCO2e by 2015 |
Install positive restraint system at Edmonds/Kingston terminal to save 200,000 gallons of diesel annually
|
2,054 MTCO2e by 2020 |
Power two new Super Class vessels with liquefied natural gas
|
2,687 MTCO2e by 2020 |
Building Energy Use |
Desktop computer power savings policy (monitor shut down)
|
248 MTCO2e by 2017 |
Desktop computer reductions:
Target = 254 computers |
34 MTCO2e by 2015 |
Telework: 31% of eligible employees telework on average one day week |
42 MTCO2e by 2015 |
Compressed work schedules:
95% eligible employees working 9/80s or 50% employees working 4/10s
|
120 MTCO2e 2015 |
Upgrade or replace interior light fixtures:
Target = 13,000 fixtures, changing T12s to T8s
|
1,070 MTCO2e by 2019 |
For more information on vehicle emissions and air quality in Washington state visit the state Department of Ecology website.