Did You Know...? Tacoma's LNG Plant and TOTE Maritime Alaska

By Chuck Jensen 

Puget Sound Energy sold the idea of constructing the LNG facility on the tideflats largely on the premise that TOTE would convert its two ships to burn the cleaner fuel. TOTE invested over $100 million to convert the Midnight Sun and North Star ships to burn the fuel in making the 40 to 50 trips from Tacoma to Anchorage each year.   As opposed to burning the historical Bunker C fuel oil, the LNG engines reduce sulphur oxides by 95%, nitrogen oxides by as much as 80%, and other air toxins by over 90%. 

TOTE -- short for Totem Ocean Trailer Express -- loads each ship with "roll on" over-the-road trailers, which are driven off the ship when they arrive. It is a primary source for Alaska's food and consumer goods supply. as well as industrial and commerical goods.  

 The US is now the world's leading producer and exporter of natural gas. However, the local plant gets it gas from British Columbia via the Williams pipeline.