EPA invests more than $1 billion in California ports for zero-emissions infrastructure, climate and air quality management initiatives

Today, the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency and Administrator Michael Regan on the agency’s investment of more than $1 billion in the California ports through the Clean Ports Program.

This investment from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program will help fund projects across seven of the state’s ports to build zero-emission (ze) port infrastructure and implement climate and air quality management plans.

“Time and time again, California ports have proven their commitment and dedication to fighting climate change by implementing unparalleled environmental initiatives,” said CAPA President Kristine Zortman. “We applaud the EPA for this historic investment that will reduce emissions and improve air quality across the global supply chain.”

“In so many ways, California’s future begins at our ports – places that set the marker for how we tackle climate change, reduce air pollution and advance environmental justice – all while creating good jobs and growing the economy,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of GO-Biz. “We thank the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA leadership for this historic investment in our ports, which will ensure that we continue to lead the nation’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

“The ports of California are vital gateways to our nation's economy, supporting millions of jobs and driving global commerce," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "The federal Clean Ports Program grants combined with California’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program investments will fund cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions and bolster environmental health. These awards are critical to help the nation’s busiest ports remain competitive, resilient, and sustainable.”

“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “With more than a billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funding headed to California, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air in neighboring communities and meet our climate goals while creating green jobs.”

The California Ports have been leaders in advancing clean energy technologies for over a decade and take pride in their role as environmental stewards. These investments from the Clean Ports Program will help accelerate the implementation of ze technologies and are critical to reaching the ambitious climate goals. California ports that are receiving funding from the Clean Ports Program include the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Oakland, the Port of Stockton, the Port of San Diego, the Port of San Francisco, the Port of Hueneme, and the Port of Redwood City.

CAPA consists of the 11 major deep-water port authorities across California. California’s ports are responsible for handling 38% of all containerized imports and 28% of all exports in the U.S, accounting for 35% of all containerized waterborne trade. Over 3.1 million jobs are supported by the trade that moves through California ports, including over 800,000 jobs related to exports and nearly 2.3 million jobs related to imports.