EPA announces $104M clean ports investments in Washington

EPA announces $104M clean ports investments in Washington

EPA's Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment, infrastructure, and planning projects to tackle climate change, reduce air pollution, and advance environmental justice

October 29, 2024

SEATTLE- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that six ports in Washington were selected to receive more than $104 million through EPA's Clean Ports Programtosupport the deployment of zero-emission equipment and infrastructure and climate and air quality planning projects

The grants are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act - the largest investment in combating climate change and promoting clean energy in history- and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from U.S. ports and near surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America's ports thrive.

"Ports in the Pacific Northwest have for years provided access to global markets and been economic engines supporting thousands of jobs," said Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. "This funding, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will supercharge efforts to transition port operations to cleaner, zero-emissions solutions that benefit air quality surrounding port communities and advance our collective efforts to tackle the climate crisis."

"Our ports are amazing engines of economic growth and opportunity," said Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06). "That's why these investments from the EPA are such a big deal, especially for folks on the Olympic Peninsula and in the South Sound. Thanks to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Port of Port Angeles and the Northwest Seaport Alliance at the Port of Tacoma are taking major steps toward improved safety and climate resilience, decreased costs, and reduced emissions, without the costs falling solely on the backs of local taxpayers. As a native of Washington's Sixth District, I'm proud to have supported these important projects and look forward to a bright future for our ports and for the workers in our region."

"Ports are an integral part of our supply chains and local economies in the Pacific Northwest, and as we continue fighting the climate crisis, it's important that these hubs have the resources needed to adapt, bring in new technology, and thrive," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). "I was proud to support the Infrastructure Law, and I'm thrilled to see nearly $6 million going to the Northwest Seaport Alliance and the Port of Seattle to help them advance plans to reduce emissions, study sustainable fuels, and make their ports even cleaner. With these funds, Washington State will continue to be a leader in fighting the climate crisis and developing a truly clean economy. I am committed to continuing to support and help direct additional robust investments in our ports to accelerate our region's transition to a zero-emissions future."

"You cannot have a big-league economy with little league infrastructure," said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02). "Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Northwest Washington ports have the funding needed to reduce emissions and protect the environment while planning to transition to more sustainable, zero-emission operations. Congress must continue to make bold, long-term investments in Northwest Washington ports to create more jobs and build a cleaner and greener future."

"Southwest Washington's ports support good family-wage jobs, keep stuff moving we take for granted each day, and strengthen our rural and ag economies,"said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). "It's important we invest in our ports and the machinery and infrastructure that keeps our region moving forward. These funds will support two harbor cranes to improve efficiency and cargo loading at the Port of Vancouver, as well as new shore power at Terminal 1 which will stimulate growth for our local small businesses."

"While the Port of Vancouver USA has been making strides to carry out our Climate Action Plan, this grant award represents a huge leap forward," said Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA."We'regrateful for Senators Murray and Cantwell for helping create the Clean Ports Program that'sempowering ports like ours to accelerate a transformation to clean energy equipment and infrastructure. These funds will enable our investment in new zero emissions mobile harbor cranes and charging stations, and the installation of shore power at the future Terminal 1 cruise landing, bringing our port significantly closer to meeting our sustainability goals. We appreciate the continued support of our entire federal delegation for their ongoing commitment to ports in our region."

"We are deeply grateful for the Biden-Harris Administration's investment in the future of maritime decarbonization in the Pacific Northwest," said Port of Seattle Commission President Hamdi Mohamed. "This federal funding will allow us to conduct both a harbor vessel decarbonization feasibility study and a sustainable maritime fuels transition analysis. These are key building blocks to help our Puget Sound gateway achieve its aggressive carbon emission reduction goals and create a port for the future."

"This $65 million EPA investment is truly transformative for our community," said Port of Anacortes Executive Director Brett Greenwood. "These funds facilitatean innovative public-private partnership between the Port and local industry, driving simultaneous improvements to both our environment and economy. The investment will not only bring in new zero-emissions equipment to improve air quality but also provide essential training for local marine trades workers. These skilled workers are critical to our economy, central to the Port's mission, and key to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for Anacortes and the entire region."

Port of Anacortes ($65,159,248): conduct a port-wide emissions inventory, develop an emissions reductions plan including port-wide air quality and climate targets, conduct workforce planning and community collaboration and stakeholder engagement, complete a resiliency assessment, and to fund electric cargo handling equipment and vessels, charging infrastructure, and vessel shore power.

Port of Bellingham ($1,525,892): build on significant emissions inventories and planning work and develop a port-wide energy transition action plan with focus on resiliency and long-term emissions reductions.

Northwest Seaport Alliance ($3,000,000): plan for a breakbulk cargo terminal at the Port of Tacoma, conduct a feasibility analysis of ZE technology with a plan to transition 40 pieces of CHE and light-duty vehicles to zero-emissions, and engineering and design for shore power.

Port of Port Angeles ($9,457,362): develop electric cargo handling equipment and vessel shore power.

Port of Seattle ($2,997,248): complete a vessel activity and maritime fuel inventory, a harbor vessel decarbonization feasibility study and sustainable maritime fuels transition analysis and engage with industry and near-port communities.

Port of Vancouver($22,570,847): fund electric cargo handling equipment, charging infrastructure and vessel shore power.

Ports are vital to the U.S. economy and are responsible for moving goods and people throughout the country. At the same time, the port and freight equipment responsible for moving goods including trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, and cargo-handling equipment contribute to significant levels of diesel air pollution at and near port facilities. This pollution is especially harmful to nearby communities' health and contributes to climate change. The funds announced today will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emission freight and ferry technologies along with associated infrastructure, eliminating more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to 391,220 homes' energy use for one year.

In February 2024, EPA announced two separate funding opportunities for U.S. ports - a Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition to directly fund zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions and a Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition to fund climate and air quality planning activities. The competitions closed in May 2024 with over $8 billion in requests from applicants across the country seeking to advance next-generation, clean technologies at U.S. ports.

After a thorough and rigorous grant application review process, EPA selected 55 applications in total to receive this historic investment. Applications to the Clean Ports Program were evaluated in part on their workforce development efforts, to ensure that projects will expand access to high-quality jobs. Grant selections also align with the Administration's national goal for a zero-emission freight sector, the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and the 'all-of government' National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.

The agency anticipates making awards once all legal, statutory, and administrative requirements are satisfied. Selectees will work with EPA over the coming months to finalize project plans before receiving final awards and moving into the implementation phase. Project implementation will occur over the next three to four years depending on the scope of each project.

To learn more about the Clean Ports Program tentatively selected applications, please visit the Clean Ports Program Selections webpage.

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