EPA Announces Selection of 55 Applicants for $3B Clean Ports Program
On October 29, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $3 billion in grants through the Clean Ports Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. These grants will benefit 55 applicants across 27 states and territories, supporting the deployment of zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and climate and air quality planning projects at U.S. ports.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris entered office with a vision to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and tackle the climate crisis in a way that would create good-paying and union jobs and uplift the communities who’ve borne the brunt of pollution,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. “The EPA Clean Ports program is one of the best examples of their vision come to life.”
The initiative aims to reduce diesel air pollution, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice by addressing the significant emissions generated by port operations, including trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, and cargo-handling equipment. These investments are expected to eliminate over 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to the energy use of 391,220 homes for a year, while creating good-paying union jobs.
“Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. 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.”
The program highlights the critical role of ports in the U.S. economy while tackling the environmental and health impacts of freight pollution on surrounding communities. This effort aligns with the Investing in America agenda led by President Biden and Vice President Harris, focusing on combating climate change, promoting clean energy, and ensuring economic equity.
“Decarbonizing our nation’s ports is one of the many ways President Biden and Vice President Harris’s investment agenda is helping cut pollution and create good-paying union jobs,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “The communities being uplifted by these grants provide proof points for how good environmental policy can be good economic policy. By advancing clean energy solutions in every sector of our growing economy, the Biden-Harris administration continues to position our nation to lead the global clean energy race, while protecting all communities — especially those on the front-line and the fence-line — from harmful pollution in the air we breathe and the water we drink.”
“The Port of Baltimore is a vital economic engine for the state and a leader among the nation’s ports. As we work to improve the Port, it is essential that we build for the future. The projects supported by the Clean Ports Program will help reduce emissions, improve air quality in the Baltimore region and create more clean energy jobs,” said Senator Ben Cardin (MD). “The Biden-Harris administration’s bold investments in modernizing our infrastructure are driving our economy forward while enabling us to take on climate change in a meaningful way.”
In February 2024, the EPA introduced two significant funding opportunities as part of its Clean Ports Program. The first initiative aimed to support the deployment of zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions at ports. The second focused on funding climate and air quality planning activities to promote cleaner and more sustainable port operations. These opportunities, which closed in May 2024, attracted substantial interest, with over $8 billion in funding requests from applicants across the country. The strong response underscores the growing urgency to adopt next-generation clean technologies and highlights the critical role of federal investment in fostering sustainable, zero-emission advancements at U.S. ports.
“We fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to create good-paying jobs in our communities while tackling the climate crisis head-on, and today’s announcement shows these investments are being put to work. This new federal funding will support the Port of Baltimore’s transition to electric infrastructure as part of its plans to reduce emissions – both bolstering the Port’s growth and improving air quality for nearby communities. These efforts will help strengthen Baltimore’s economy and create more local jobs for Marylanders,” said Senator Van Hollen (MD).
Following an extensive and meticulous review of grant applications, the EPA selected 55 projects to receive funding from the historic Clean Ports Program. The evaluation process prioritized workforce development initiatives, ensuring that the selected projects contribute to expanding access to high-quality jobs. These grant awards align with the Administration’s broader national objectives, including advancing a zero-emission freight sector, supporting the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, and driving the coordinated efforts of the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. These initiatives collectively aim to transform the freight and transportation industries toward cleaner, more sustainable operations.
“The tremendous projects selected for these federal funding awards will improve air quality and combat climate change by dramatically diminishing the Port of Baltimore’s greenhouse gas and toxic pollutant emissions via installation of zero-emission cargo handling equipment and trucks, while also bolstering the Maryland Port Administration’s overall emissions reduction strategy. These extraordinary federal investments into our Port are consistent with our collective duty to preserve the planet – while also continuing to uplift the Port of Baltimore’s workforce and surrounding communities in the transition to a zero-emissions facility,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07). “As exemplified by this compelling announcement, the historic Inflation Reduction Act continues to tackle the climate crisis with fierce urgency right here in Baltimore,” he concluded.
The selected projects encompass a broad array of human-operated and human-maintained equipment utilized at and around ports. The funding supports the acquisition of over 1,500 units of zero-emission cargo-handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives, and 20 vessels. Additionally, it facilitates the installation of shore power systems, battery-electric and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and solar power generation systems.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the adoption of this new equipment could result in significant emissions reductions over the first decade of operation, including over 3 million metric tons of CO2, 12,000 short tons of NOx, and 200 short tons of PM2.5. These initial figures, based on the projected deployment of zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, rely on national default emissions and activity factors. They do not yet account for the benefits of retiring older, more polluting vehicles or other nuanced factors. These estimates will be further refined as more detailed data from the projects become available.
The Clean Ports Program not only safeguards human health and the environment but also supports and expands good-paying union jobs at ports while fostering new opportunities in the domestic clean energy sector. By investing in the innovation, installation, maintenance, and operation of zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, the program strengthens U.S. economic competitiveness and solidifies the nation’s role as a global leader in clean technologies.
Aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, the program ensures that 40% of the benefits from federal investments reach disadvantaged communities that have historically faced underinvestment and disproportionate pollution burdens. These communities will benefit from improved air quality and access to high-quality jobs created through the adoption of zero-emission technologies at ports. This transformative initiative marks a significant step toward environmental justice and sustainable economic growth.
The EPA prioritized near-port community engagement and equity considerations in designing the Clean Ports Program, emphasizing the importance of meaningful collaboration with affected communities. Applications were assessed on the quality and extent of their community engagement efforts, reflecting a commitment to incorporating emissions reduction planning into standard port industry practices. This builds on the successes of initiatives like EPA’s Ports Initiative and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act programs, which have previously directed over $196 million toward 207 diesel emissions reduction projects at ports, with an additional $88 million allocated to multi-sector projects involving ports. These efforts have fostered strong collaboration between ports and their surrounding communities.
The EPA expects to finalize awards after fulfilling all legal, statutory, and administrative requirements. Selected applicants will collaborate with the agency in the coming months to finalize their project plans. Once plans are approved, implementation will begin, with most projects expected to be completed within the next three to four years, depending on their scope and complexity. This phased approach ensures thorough planning and effective execution, setting a strong foundation for long-term environmental and community benefits.
“The EPA’s historic $3 billion Clean Ports Program is a transformative step toward building a sustainable maritime future. At Photon Marine, we share this commitment to decarbonizing the port and freight sectors, reducing pollution, and creating resilient, energy-independent coastal communities. By enabling zero-emission vessel operations through cutting-edge electric propulsion systems, we’re proud to contribute to this national agenda that prioritizes clean energy innovation, workforce development, and environmental justice. These investments are not just about cleaner air—they’re about ensuring the long-term vitality of our working waterfronts and empowering communities to thrive in a decarbonized economy, ” said Charles Steinback, Co-Founder and VP of Business Development, Photon Marine.
Port of Friday Harbor Secures $7M State Grant for Electrification, Partners with Photon Marine
State funding for port electrification is important as well as federal funding. For example, Photon Marine was able to secure $7M to electrify the Port of Friday Harbor through the State of Washington Department of Transportation. The partnership enabled the deployment of several advanced electric vessels, including a 24-foot electric pumpout vessel, a 24-foot electric workboat, and a 28-foot electric passenger transport boat.
“Securing the WSDOT port electrification grant alongside the Port of Friday Harbor is a pivotal milestone in our broader vision to electrify the Salish Sea and create a model for sustainable maritime operations. This initiative not only deploys advanced Photon powered electric vessels and charging infrastructure but also sets the stage for a regional network of zero-emission ports. By reducing emissions, promoting clean energy jobs, and fostering economic resilience, we are demonstrating how public-private partnerships can drive environmental stewardship and empower coastal communities. The electrification of the Salish Sea is just the beginning of what we believe will be a global transformation in marine operations,” said Steinback.
Port Electrification Handbook, Offered by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Port electrification is transforming the maritime industry by integrating advanced technologies to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency. This process includes initiatives like electrifying cargo handling equipment and deploying microgrids to power critical infrastructure. To address the challenges and opportunities associated with these advancements, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Microgrids R&D program, developed the Port Electrification Handbook.
The handbook serves as a comprehensive resource for port operators and planners, aiming to evaluate electrification technologies and their implications for ports and surrounding communities. It provides detailed, step-by-step guidance for implementing electrification strategies, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. By explaining the benefits and potential impacts of these technologies, the handbook not only supports the transition to cleaner energy but also emphasizes the broader benefits for environmental sustainability and community well-being.
“PNNL’s Port Electrification Handbook is an invaluable tool for guiding ports through the complexities of adopting electrification technologies. At Photon Marine, we’ve put this guidance into practice, starting with the Port of Friday Harbor, where we’re deploying advanced zero-emission vessels and charging infrastructure as part of a broader effort to electrify the Salish Sea. This comprehensive approach not only aligns with our mission to advance zero-emission marine propulsion systems but also demonstrates how the handbook’s principles can translate into real-world solutions. By fostering environmental stewardship, creating clean energy jobs, and building resilient coastal economies, we are turning the vision of port electrification into a transformative reality,” said Charles Steinback of Photon Marine.
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