Charleston, SC - Continuing the Charleston maritime community's 'Pledge for Growth' environmental commitment, a local tug boat operator is switching half its fleet to cleaner-burning fuels. The fuel switch was made possible through grant funding awarded by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Last week, DHEC, through the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, awarded grants to nine organizations across the state in both the public and private sector.
Moran Charleston will upgrade one tug to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) three years ahead of federal mandate and another tug to a biodiesel blend. The funding covers the additional cost of buying the cleaner fuel, which ranges from 10 to 22 cents more per gallon than regular diesel. Moran will receive 75 percent of the cost difference in DERA grant funding and will cover the remaining 25 percent.
Moran provides ship docking and harbor towing services to vessels using the Port of Charleston. It is the successor company to White Stack Maritime, which had served the Port of Charleston since 1882.
To learn more about the port community's pledge to the environment, visit www.pledgeforgrowth.com.