The EPA has chosen 55 candidates throughout 27 states and territories to obtain almost $3 billion in grant funding by way of the company’s Clear Ports Program. These grants are geared toward enhancing air high quality by supporting the deployment of zero-emission tools and related infrastructure.
“As we speak’s historic $3-billion funding builds on President Biden’s imaginative and prescient of rising our economic system whereas making certain America leads in globally aggressive options of the long run,” mentioned EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Delivering cleaner applied sciences and assets to US ports will slash dangerous air and local weather air pollution whereas defending individuals who work in and stay close by port communities.”
In February, the EPA introduced two separate funding alternatives for US ports: a Zero-Emission Know-how Deployment Competitors to immediately fund zero-emission tools and infrastructure to scale back cellular supply emissions; and a Local weather and Air High quality Planning Competitors to fund local weather and air high quality planning actions.
After a rigorous utility evaluation course of, the EPA chosen 55 purposes to obtain this funding. Functions to the Clear Ports Program have been evaluated partly on their workforce growth efforts, to make sure that tasks will broaden entry to high-quality jobs.
Chosen tasks cowl a variety of kit used at and round ports—funding will assist the acquisition of zero-emission tools, together with over 1,500 models of cargo dealing with tools, 1,000 drayage vehicles, 10 locomotives and 20 vessels, in addition to shore energy methods, battery-electric and hydrogen car charging and fueling infrastructure, and solar energy era.
The company estimates that utilizing the brand new tools will cut back emissions by over 3 million metric tons of CO2, 12,000 quick tons of NOx, and 200 quick tons of PM2.5 within the first 10 years of operation—not together with advantages from retiring older autos.
Chosen tasks embrace:
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has been chosen to obtain $344,138,000 for a challenge that features the deployment of electrical cargo dealing with tools and drayage vehicles with supporting charging infrastructure. The challenge additionally contains the set up of vessel shore energy infrastructure.
The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority has been chosen to obtain an anticipated $21,906,000 for a challenge on the Port of Detroit, which can embrace the deployment of battery-electric cargo dealing with tools, vessels and railcar movers, together with charging tools and photo voltaic arrays.
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has been chosen to obtain an anticipated $48,764,000 to improve the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick with vessel shore energy methods. These methods will enable ships to plug in to electrical grid energy and switch off auxiliary diesel engines whereas in port. The challenge additionally contains the substitute of diesel terminal tractors with new electrical terminal tractors and the set up of electrical charging infrastructure.
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority has been chosen to obtain an anticipated $77,651,000 to deploy zero-emission port tools, together with cargo dealing with tools and related charging infrastructure.
The Port Division of the Metropolis of Oakland has been chosen to obtain an anticipated $322,168,000 to deploy zero-emission know-how on the Port of Oakland. Mission actions embrace the deployment of electrical and hydrogen cargo dealing with tools, drayage vehicles, charging infrastructure and a battery power storage system.
Most of the tasks embrace the scrappage of present diesel-powered tools, and all embrace neighborhood engagement actions, workforce coaching on zero-emission tools, and efforts to broaden entry to high-quality jobs in near-port communities.
The company anticipates making awards as soon as all authorized, statutory and administrative necessities are glad. Selectees will work with EPA over the approaching months to finalize challenge plans earlier than receiving last awards and transferring into the implementation section. Mission implementation is anticipated to happen over the subsequent three to 4 years.
Supply: EPA
