Rep. Barragán Announces $411 Million in Funding for Port of Los Angeles to Electrify Based on Barragán’s Climate Smart Ports Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 October 2024

Contact: Kevin G. McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)

[email protected]

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) announced the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) has been awarded a $411 million grant award from the EPA Clean Ports Program to replace diesel equipment and trucks with human operated, zero-emission technology, clean energy microgrids, electric charging, shore power, and more.

"This grant is a game-changer for the Port of LA and our port communities," said Rep. Barragán. "Today's funding announcement is the direct result of a five-year effort by my office to work with labor, environmental justice groups, industry, and ports, to secure billions of dollars to clean up ports across the country. It will help the Port of LA and ports across the country transition to zero-emission, human operated equipment. This investment will significantly reduce pollution from ports and help our nearby port communities breathe cleaner air."

"The men and women of the ILWU are thrilled to learn of this over $400 Million investment, by the U.S. EPA, in the environmental and economic well-being of our members and local communities. Human operated, zero-emission cargo handling equipment is the gold standard for maritime port operations not only because it protects good jobs while cleaning the air, but is also the most efficient and cost-effective in terms of port operations, while additionally providing the necessary safeguards against cyber threats to our national security," said Gary Herrera, President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 13.

"This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change, while accelerating the port-industry's transition to zero emissions across the country," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "This grant will fund over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, replacing nearly one-third of the diesel equipment currently on our docks, and eliminating over 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This successful application is the culmination of a deep partnership with environmental justice groups, labor, the private sector, and stakeholders at all levels of government, and we'll continue to work with our local communities to ensure this investment delivers benefits in their neighborhoods. We thank Congresswoman Barragán, the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their unprecedented support of our ambition and look forward to delivering on our commitment to cleaner air for future generations."

POLA processes the highest volume of containerized cargo in the United States, supporting 1 in 15 jobs in Los Angeles and 1.4 million jobs nationwide. However, cargo handling equipment (CHE) at POLA is a significant source of pollution, emitting over 500 tons of nitrogen oxides and other harmful emissions annually and contributing to high rates of asthma, cancer, and other health consequences.

The grant, made possible by Congresswoman Barragán's Climate Smart Ports Act, whose funding was included in the Inflation Reduction Act, will reduce air pollution and improve public health by helping the port transition to 100% zero-emissions terminal operations by 2030. In addition to the federal grant, POLA and its partners will also match $200 million for the project, totaling over $600 million to meet their clean air goals.

In line with the Climate Smart Ports Act, which was supported by the ILWU and several community-based organizations, the funds must be used for human-operated equipment and technology.

This grant will allow POLA to meet ZE goals by:

• funding the acquisition of approximately 400 pieces of ZE CHE and associated charging infrastructure to replace nearly 30% of POLA's diesel-burning CHE fleet;
• procuring 250 ZE drayage trucks and associated charging infrastructure;
• installing cutting-edge power management systems with solar generation and battery
• providing energy storage capacity to power additional ZE CHE;
• establishing one of the first shore-power support systems for auto carrier vessels to; and
• eliminating nearly 41,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and 55 tons of NOx emissions annually.

POLA and Harbor Community Benefit Foundation will also carry out an ambitious community-driven grant program to empower port-adjacent communities to award grants for zero-emission equipment, and offer opportunities for career engagement and workforce development.

This large-scale deployment of zero-emission equipment will support continued commercialization while helping California meet its climate goals, improve air quality in nearby communities, promote sustainable maritime practices, and protect and create good-paying jobs.

Rep. Barragán led a California Delegation letter of 19 members in support of the EPA grant.

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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California's 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).