EPA’s Clean Ports Program to fund three Bay Area projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced ports in California have been selected to receive grants through its Clean Ports Program for the deployment of zero-emission port infrastructure and climate and air quality planning projects. 

The grants were announced last week and three of the projects are in the Bay Area:

Port Department of the City of Oakland

The Port Department of the City of Oakland has been selected to receive an anticipated $322,167,584 to purchase and deploy zero-emission technology at the Port of Oakland in California. Project activities include the deployment of electric and hydrogen cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, charging infrastructure, and a battery energy storage system, and the scrappage of a portion of the existing diesel fleet. The project includes community engagement activities, workforce training on zero-emission equipment, and efforts to expand access to high-quality jobs in near-port communities.

“The Port of Oakland thanks its broad community, industry, elected, regulatory and workforce coalition partners for making this EPA ‘Clean Ports’ grant possible,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. "These funds made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration will allow us to take another major step towards transforming our Port into a zero emissions model and delivering impressive workforce development and community benefits for Oakland and the region."

Port of San Francisco

The Port of San Francisco has been selected to receive an anticipated $55,386,000 to complete the San Francisco Waterfront Emissions-Free Ferry System, which services critical transportation hubs along the San Francisco waterfront and two terminals located in Alameda County, California. Clean Ports Program funding will be used to replace a diesel-powered ferry with a zero-emission battery electric ferry vessel, install a battery energy storage system equipment, upgrade the electrical infrastructure, and install a shore power charging system for the new vessels. A regional maritime workforce development program will train participants in the marine trades and water transportation fields, including operating and maintaining ZE ferries and harbor craft. The Port will also collect feedback from the local community in various ways throughout the project.

Port of Redwood City

The Port of Redwood City in California has been selected to receive a Climate and Air Quality Planning Grant for an anticipated $1,966,545. Expected activities include development of a baseline emissions inventory and emissions reductions strategy analysis with targets and actions through 2050. Additionally, the project calls for a resilience assessment and improvement plan. The development of a comprehensive public participation to engage stakeholders at each phase and a strategy for collaborative workforce development are key components of this project.

“The Port of Redwood City applauds the EPA for this investment to facilitate the long-range planning and create a roadmap towards decarbonization by diversifying fueling options of Port operations,” said Port of Redwood City Executive Director Kristine A. Zortman. “This investment represents an opportunity to create new jobs in a transformative sector of energy production furthering our environmental stewardship, workforce development, and emissions reductions.”  

The grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in combating climate change and promoting clean energy in history— and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from U.S. ports and near surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America’s ports thrive.

“While ports of course serve an essential role for moving goods, the costs that they bring in terms of pollution and impacts on overburdened communities must be confronted,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Replacing diesel-powered port and freight equipment with clean, zero-emission technologies will reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes in nearby communities, and advance the campaign to tackle climate change.”