AAPA hails $2.9 billion for ‘Clean U.S. Ports Grants’

by Stas Margaronis about 56 minutes ago

On October 29th, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President & CEO Cary Davis said the AAPA continued its strong advocacy for U.S. ports and emphasized the importance of new federal renewable energy grants, totaling $2.9 billion, supporting new economic development.

Davis said: “I'm excited for all the alternative energy conversations going on because of a … announcement this morning called the EPA Clean Ports Program. Has anyone heard of that little $3 billion grant program? …. These federal monies will support the purchase of battery, electric and hydrogen powered human operated and human maintained equipment.”

Davis was speaking at The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) 2024 Convention in Boston.

In its announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced 55 selected applications for nearly $3 billion in Clean Ports Program grants funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. The selected applications will fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports located in 27 states and territories.

This new funding program was built on EPA’s Ports Initiative, which helps the nation’s ports, a critical part of U.S. infrastructure and supply chain, and addresses public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities.

Clean Port Goals

The goals of the Clean Ports Program are to:

Build a foundation for the port sector to transition over time to fully zero-emissions operations, positioning ports to serve as a catalyst for transformational change across the freight sector.
Reduce diesel pollution, including criteria pollutants, GHGs (greenhouse gases), and air toxics in near-port communities, especially those with environmental concerns.
Help ensure that meaningful community engagement and emissions reduction planning become a part of port industry standard practices.

EPA anticipates making awards once all legal 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.

In the awards, there are two designations: Climate and Air Quality Planning (CAQP) and Zero Emission (ZE) technologies.

Total Grants

There were 55 applications selected for a total of $2.9B in total estimated funding. In the CAQP category, there were 30 applications selected for $60M in total estimated funding. In the Zero Emission Technology (ZE Tech), there were 25 applications selected for $2.8B in total estimated funding.

U.S. Ports Winning Clean Ports Awards

CAQP - Climate and Air Quality Planning, ZE - Zero Emission Tech

	Jurisdiction	Project Details	Anticipated Financial Amount
	Alaska
CAQP	Municipality of Anchorage - Don Young Port of Alaska	Emissions inventory Assess clean energy alternatives, develop energy transition plan, evaluate technology deployment scenarios, safety analysis for hydrogen equipment Stakeholder engagement and workforce planning analysis	$1,934,206
ZE	City of Seward: Port of Seward	Vessel shore power Battery energy storage system and electrical infrastructure upgrades	$45,732,040
	California
CAQP	Oxnard Harbor District Port of Hueneme	Emissions inventory Develop resiliency plan Workforce impact analysis Emissions reduction strategy and community air monitoring (funded separately)	$1,211,600
CAQP	Port of Redwood City	Emissions inventory, Emissions reductions strategy with targets and actions through 2050, Resilience assessment and improvement plan, Comprehensive public participation plan to engage stakeholders at each phase and strategy for collaborative workforce development	$1,966,545
ZE	City of Los Angeles Harbor Department: Port of Los Angeles	Electric cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks Charging infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system Vessel shore power	$411,688,296
ZE	Oxnard Harbor District Port of Hueneme	Electric cargo handling equipment and zero-emission drayage trucks, Charging infrastructure and battery energy storage system	$41,076,293
ZE	Port Department of the City of Oakland	Electric and hydrogen cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks Charging infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system	$322,167,584
ZE	Port of San Francisco	Electric vessels Vessel shore power	$55,386,000
ZE	San Diego Unified Port District, Port of San Diego	Electric cargo handling equipment and on road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles Charging infrastructure Vessel shore power	$58,600,279
ZE	Port of Stockton	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system Vessel shore power	$110,469,349
	Connecticut
ZE	Connecticut Port Authority: Port of New London	Vessel shore power	$5,357,103
ZE	Enstructure New Haven Holdings LLC, d/b/a Gateway Terminals: Port of New Haven	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system	$34,032,340
	Delaware
ZE	Diamond State Port Corporation: Port of Wilmington	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure	$127,510,094
	Florida
CAQP	Broward County: Port Everglades	Update 2015 emissions inventory with new data/methodology and analyze reductions from 2015-2024 Plan air emissions reduction strategies among sources identified in inventory Conduct stakeholder engagement with communities and workforce	$300,000
CAQP	Tampa Port Authority: Port Tampa Bay	Emissions inventory Emissions reduction strategy focused on feasibility, energy needs, and infrastructure upgrades needed to transition to ZE equipment and infrastructure Stakeholder engagement plan to gather input on emissions reduction strategies and engage port workforce	$1,800,000
	Georgia
ZE	Georgia Ports Authority: Port of Savannah	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure Vessel shore power	$48,763,746
	Guam
CAQP	Port Authority of Guam: Port of Guam	Emissions inventory Develop emissions reduction strategy and implementation plan Workforce development impact analysis and community engagement Climate change vulnerability assessment	$2,410,415
	Hawaii
CAQP	Hawaii Department of Transportation	Emissions inventory across 9 Hawai'i ports Recommendations and strategies for emissions reductions Engagement with near-port communities	$2,500,000
ZE	Hawaii Department of Transportation: Honolulu Harbor	Hydrogen cargo handling equipment Hydrogen storage and fueling infrastructure	$56,732,500
	Illinois
CAQP	Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: Illinois Waterway Ports and Terminals Port Statistical Area, IL	Emissions inventory Set emissions reductions goals for thousands of vehicles in operation Strategies for resiliency and community development Guidance on workforce development opportunities	$2,997,998
ZE	Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: Illinois International Port District	Electric drayage trucks, cargo handling equipment, vessels, railcar mover and locomotives; hydrogen locomotives Charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system Vessel shore power	$92,058,008
	Indiana
CAQP	Ports of Indiana: Southern Indiana Ports District	Emissions inventory across 2 Ohio River ports Emissions reduction target settings and strategy analysis Ports plan to conduct resiliency planning, community engagement, and workforce development separate from grant funding	$500,000
	Louisiana
CAQP	Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development: Multiple ports in Louisiana	Develop power use and carbon footprint baseline for 32 Louisiana ports Develop plans to move towards carbon neutrality Integrate communities into port decision making Develop plans to enhance resiliency of ports during severe weather events Workforce development activities	$2,999,889
	Maine
CAQP	Port of Portland	Emissions inventory and projected emissions inventory with shore power options Evaluate feasibility of electrification and shore power implementation throughout Maine including grid capacity analysis Community collaboration	$1,000,000
	Maryland
CAQP	Maryland Port Administration / MD Dept of Transportation: Port of Baltimore	Update and expand emissions inventory Alternative energy analysis with emissions reduction strategy plan Workforce analysis and community engagement plan	$1,974,660
ZE	Port of Baltimore	Electric cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks Charging infrastructure, battery energy storage system, electrical infrastructure upgrades	$145,658,479
	Massachusetts
CAQP	Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: Port of New Bedford	Emissions inventory Develop emissions reduction strategy including feasibility study for ZE technologies Workforce impact analysis and stakeholder engagement throughout the project	$528,740
	Michigan
CAQP	Port of Detroit	Develop a roadmap for emissions reductions with shore power, ZE medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and port equipment, EV and hydrogen fueling infrastructure Develop a plan for ensuring local workers and small businesses are included in the transition to ZE Community and stakeholder engagement with multiple pathways for engagement	$3,000,000
CAQP	Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy: Multiple ports in Michigan	Create a competitive grant program for Michigan water ports to fund eligible activities (resiliency planning, stakeholder engagement, workforce planning, emissions inventories, analyses and accounting practices, development of emissions reductions goals) Capacity building, workforce development, and engagement with near-port communities	$3,000,000
ZE	Port of Detroit	Electric cargo handling equipment, vessels, and railcar movers Charging infrastructure and solar generation	$21,905,782
	Mississippi
CAQP	Mississippi State Port Authority: Port of Gulfport	Complete updated emissions inventory Emissions reduction strategy including development of ZE technology implementation roadmap Community engagement via public forum and workforce development program informed by a skills gap analysis	$1,854,783
	New Jersey; Delaware
CAQP	Delaware River and Bay Authority: Cape May - Lewes Ferry Terminals	Emissions inventory covering all aspects of ferry operations Emissions reduction strategy analysis, including goal-setting and stakeholder outreach with communities and workforce Resilience planning and evaluation	$540,000
	New York; New Jersey
CAQP	Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Port of New York and New Jersey	Emissions inventory and community-centric air monitoring project Formal community and independent truck owner engagement Emissions reduction strategy analysis creating a plan to reduce future port emissions, including determining optimal locations for future drayage truck alternative fueling infrastructure	$3,000,000
ZE	Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Port of New York and New Jersey	Electric cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, and vessel Vessel shore power	$344,138,135
ZE	SeaStreak LLC: Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor	Electric vessels Battery energy storage system Vessel shore power	$54,954,000
	Ohio
ZE	Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority: Port of Cleveland	Electric cargo handling equipment and vessels Charging infrastructure, solar generation, and battery energy storage system Vessel shore power	$94,261,128
	Oregon
CAQP	Port of Portland	Emissions inventory including alternative energy/fuels analysis Emissions reductions strategy analysis including future emissions projections Community engagement and creation of workforce impact analysis Update port resilience plan to include applications of ZE technology to increase resilience	$2,772,684
	Pennsylvania
CAQP	Philadelphia Regional Port Authority: Port of Philadelphia	Baseline of emissions generated by terminal operations Identify availability of terminal and near-terminal space and outline a strategy to power and deploy zero-emission equipment Community engagement and workforce development	$2,000,000
ZE	Port of Philadelphia	Electric cargo handling equipment and railcar mover Charging infrastructure and electrical infrastructure upgrades	$77,650,965
	Puerto Rico
CAQP	Puerto Rico Ports Authority: Port of San Juan	Emissions inventory and projected "business as usual" emissions inventories for 2030/2050 Develop emissions reductions strategies focused on vehicles Engage with stakeholders Develop a resiliency plan to protect infrastructure	$1,800,000
	South Carolina
CAQP	South Carolina State Ports Authority: Port of Charleston	Update 2021 emissions inventory Analyze emissions reductions strategies including state-wide hydrogen equipment/fueling feasibility Consider community input and workforce development	$1,325,000
	Texas
CAQP	City of Wilmer: Dallas Intermodal Terminal	Emissions inventory Emissions reduction strategy, including development of specific emissions reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles Community engagement meetings and door to door canvassing to provide updates and receive input	$2,999,649
CAQP	Houston Authority, Port of: Port Houston	Emissions inventory Emissions reduction strategy analysis including truck route analysis, infrastructure cost assessment, climate action planning, and developing a performance measurement framework Stakeholder collaboration with communities, trucking industry, and workforce Resiliency planning	$2,983,457
CAQP	Port Freeport: Port Freeport	Emissions inventory Port resiliency and implementation plan and electrical feasibility analysis Comprehensive near-port community benefits and workforce plan	$1,487,000
ZE	Port of Corpus Christi Authority: Port of Corpus Christi	Electric cargo handling equipment, locomotives, and vessels Charging infrastructure Vessel shore power	$105,000,000
	Utah
CAQP	Utah Inland Port Authority: Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal	Emissions inventory Emissions reduction strategy and scenario analysis Workforce impact analysis and stakeholder engagement	$2,398,790
ZE	Utah Department of Environmental Quality: Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal	Electric drayage trucks, locomotives, and cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure and solar generation	$110,000,000
	Virginia
ZE	Virginia Port Authority: Port of Virginia	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure and battery energy storage system	$380,000,000
	Washington
CAQP	Northwest Seaport Alliance: Port of Tacoma	Emissions inventory Terminal-specific feasibility analysis of ZE technology with planning to transition 40 pieces of CHE and light-duty vehicles to zero-emissions, and engineering and design for shore power Consider workforce development and community needs in planning process Consider climate resilience needs in planning process	$3,000,000
CAQP	Port of Anacortes	Emissions inventory Development of emissions reductions plan including port-wide air quality and climate targets Workforce planning and community collaboration via stakeholder engagement plan, EJ outreach plan and community benefits plan Resiliency assessment	$1,355,955
CAQP	Port of Bellingham	Build on significant emissions inventories and planning work Develop a port-wide energy transition action plan with focus on resiliency and long-term emissions reductions Community engagement framework and workforce development assessment	$1,525,892
CAQP	Port of Seattle	Vessel activity and maritime fuel inventory Harbor vessel decarbonization feasibility study and sustainable maritime fuels transition analysis Engagement with industry, workforce, and near-port communities	$2,997,248
ZE	Port of Anacortes	Electric cargo handling equipment and vessels Charging infrastructure Vessel shore power	$63,803,293
ZE	Port of Port Angeles	Electric cargo handling equipment Vessel shore power	$9,457,362
ZE	Port of Vancouver	Electric cargo handling equipment Charging infrastructure Vessel shore power	$22,570,847
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency