The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be putting nearly $3 billion toward 55 projects across 27 states to electrify U.S. ports.
The agency estimates that the “Clean Ports” grants announced on October 29 could eliminate more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 10 years, by funding the purchase of 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives and 20 vessels. The money will also help pay for battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, as well as solar power generation.
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“Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said.
Ports receiving grants include:
- Port of Oakland: $322 million to deploy electric and hydrogen-powered cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, and charging infrastructure, in addition to scrapping a portion of the port’s existing diesel fleet.
- Port of Tacoma: $3 million to conduct an inventory of the port’s emissions, and transition cargo handling equipment and light-duty vehicles to zero-emissions alternatives.
- Ports of Savannah and Brunswick: $48 million to build vessel shore power systems, which will allow ships to plug into the electric power grid and turn off their auxiliary diesel engines while idling at port.
- Port of Detroit: $22 million to acquire zero-emission cargo handling equipment, vessels, railcar movers, charging equipment and solar arrays.
