Port of Oakland awarded historic $322 million EPA grant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Port of Oakland $322 million to fast track the Oakland Seaport’s conversion to nearly 100 percent zero-emissions cargo handling operations. The Port’s historic and transformative proposal is called “Community Led, Business Supported, Proven and Ready to Go! Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions.” The historic federal funding announcement, when matched with Port and local partner contributions, will unlock approximately half a billion dollars in total investment for green initiatives at the Oakland seaport.

This is the largest-ever amount of federal funding for a Bay Area program aimed at cutting emissions from seaport cargo operations. The grant will finance 663 pieces of zero-emissions equipment which includes 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling equipment.

“The Clean Ports grant from the U.S. EPA is a major environmental victory,” said Port of Oakland Board President Michael Colbruno. “We are grateful to U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the Bay Area congressional delegation who stood together in strong advocacy for this grant. This funding will go a long way toward decarbonizing the Oakland supply chain and providing environmental and economic benefits for the region.”

The Port collaborated with a wide array of project partners and community groups to develop a comprehensive program that will help the Port achieve its zero-emissions goals faster. Elected officials, West and East Oakland community leaders, Port stakeholders, industry partners, labor, regulatory agencies, and non-profit organizations also endorsed this expansive partnership as the EPA considered the Port’s proposal through an exceptionally competitive nationwide solicitation.

“This federal grant is a giant leap toward reaching our goal of achieving zero-emissions operations at the Oakland Seaport,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “We are grateful for the continued advocacy for green technology, and we thank our community, labor, regulatory and elected partners who played a vital role in supporting this major decarbonization initiative.”

The Port of Oakland is a sustainability leader in the transportation and goods movement sector that partners with public agencies, neighboring cities, tenants, community organizations, and other entities to improve the environment and the economy. The Port of Oakland is the major gateway for 99% of waterborne goods moving through Northern California.

“The climate crisis demands that we act urgently and boldly to protect our communities,” said U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “This investment will protect Oakland from the damaging effects of fossil fuels and will move us faster toward a zero-emissions future. I’d like to thank the Biden-Harris administration for their leadership and my colleagues in Congress from the Bay area delegation for their work in helping secure this funding. It is critical that we continue to invest in zero-emissions operations, and I’m proud the Port of Oakland is leading the way.”

“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment of over $320 million in the Port of Oakland is a monumental step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air and protect public health in neighboring communities while developing the next-generation East Bay workforce.”

The grant is through the U.S. EPA Clean Ports Program: Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition, authorized under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. This EPA funding follows recent state and federal grant wins for the Port, including critical support to deploy green energy microgrids, hydrogen fueling infrastructure and equipment, battery electric storage systems, and renewable solar power at the Port.

“There are times, places and spaces where opponents must come together; the EPA Clean Port funding is that situation,” said West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project Co-Executive Directors Margaret Gordon and Brian Beveridge. “This funding will reduce pollution related to health conditions of West Oakland residents and the community. May the Port of Oakland and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project thrive as partners for Oakland and the next generations.”

“Converting hundreds of pieces of cargo handling equipment to zero emissions at the Port of Oakland opens the door to good-paying jobs for local residents,” said West Oakland Jobs Resource Center Executive Director Joyce Guy. “This project is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue our work to transform the lives of underserved residents. By working closely with the project partners, we can support career training that advances clean energy and offers our community members new economic opportunities.”

"We at Black Cultural Zone are excited to participate in the community engagement efforts for the Port of Oakland's EPA Clean Ports Program grant,” said Black Cultural Zone Executive Director Carolyn Johnson. “This historic investment will help improve air quality and create a more sustainable future for our community."

The Clean Ports initiative is consistent with and advances plans such as the California Air Resources Board’s Priority Climate Action Plan, AB 617 West Oakland Community Action Plan, and the Port’s Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan – The Pathway to Zero Emissions.

The passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 made $3 billion available through the Biden-Harris Administration to fund planning and implementation of zero-emissions technology deployment at U.S. ports.