The Pacific Northwest is known for being a clean, green and naturally beautiful place to live and work. The Port of Vancouver works to protect the people and environment in this special location through efforts to help ensure that the region continues to meet local, state and federal ambient air quality standards.

In 2006, the port purchased its first Hybrid vehicle, a Ford Escape, to reduce fuel usage from related business trips. Since then, the port has purchased an additional hybrid vehicle in the form of a Toyota Prius to further the port’s commitment reduce emissions. These hybrid vehicles utilize a combination of electric and gasoline power, and the port saves on average 233 gallons of gas annually per vehicle when comparing the port’s hybrids to the non-hybrid version.

The hybrids were purchased with the port’s Alternative Fuels Program in mind. Since implemented in 2006, the port has voluntarily purchased renewable energy credits equivalent to 100 percent of port electricity usage, switched its compatible diesel equipment to ultra-low sulfur diesel, and conducted air emissions inventory to help the port quantify emissions from port sources, among others.

The port hopes that the purchase and use of these hybrid vehicles will, in addition to reducing emissions in our work environment, help support a new market for Washington agricultural products and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.