The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Port of Los Angeles more than $400 million in grants to support its transition to electric cargo transportation equipment. This is a major boost to efforts aimed at curbing pollution at America’s busiest container port.
The so-called “Clean Ports Grant” announced Tuesday is a major $3 billion initiative to bring zero-emissions equipment to the nation’s ports, which are a significant source of lung-destroying smog and greenhouse gases. This is part of the
The Port of Los Angeles received the largest single award, securing $411 million in federal funding. The port and its private partners have committed an additional $236 million in matching funds for zero-emissions efforts.
“This transformative investment supports our commitment to accelerate the national port industry’s transition to zero emissions, while achieving ambitious zero emissions targets, improving local air quality and combating climate change. “This will be a huge boost to the industry,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the port industry. Port of Los Angeles.
This landmark grant, funded through the Biden Administration’s Inflation Control Act, will significantly accelerate the port’s efforts to replace diesel-powered equipment with all-electric alternatives.
The funds will be used to purchase more than 400 pieces of freight transportation equipment, including yard tractors and forklifts. The grant is also intended to increase the number of battery-electric trucks and expand the port’s charging infrastructure.
Port officials say these investments will allow the port to avoid burning 3.5 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. This will reduce smog-forming emissions by 55 tonnes per year and reduce global warming carbon emissions by 41,500 tonnes.
“Our ports are the backbone of our economy, supporting supply chains, driving commerce, creating jobs and connecting us all,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who visited the port in March. ” he said. “However, we cannot ignore the challenges faced by the communities that live and work near these ports. We often face air quality issues.”
Six other California ports also received federal funding: Oakland, Oxnard, San Diego, San Francisco, Stockton, and Redwood City.
However, the Port of Long Beach, which operates adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles and is the nation’s second-busiest port, was conspicuously absent from the announced list of grant recipients.
On Tuesday, Port of Long Beach officials announced that the facility had requested $380 million to equip about 300 zero-emission cargo transport equipment and up to 1,000 trucks.
“Today, the Port of Long Beach congratulates the other ports and the U.S. EPA on receiving Clean Port Program awards,” said Noel Hasegaba, the Port’s Chief Operating Officer. “As our port partners step up their efforts to decarbonize their supply chains, we all benefit from technological advances, improved air quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions…I We definitely welcome the addition of zero-emission trucks to our fleet serving this San Pedro Port Complex. ”
The Port of Los Angeles, known as America’s Port, serves as an important gateway between Asia and the United States. Approximately $300 billion worth of goods, from furniture to electronics, pass through this vast port each year. These operations provide tens of thousands of jobs for longshoremen, truck drivers, and other workers who help move this cargo.
However, the port’s activities are also one of the largest stationary sources of smog-forming emissions in the region. The port has significantly reduced diesel emissions and nitrogen oxides over the past two decades with cleaner fuels and engines, but now faces its toughest challenge yet: implementing zero-emissions technology. .
The new funding will help us move towards our ambitious goal of making all terminal facilities zero-emissions by 2030. The port has more than 2,100 cargo transportation equipment, of which approximately 72% are diesel-powered and 9% are electric. .
More than a quarter of diesel capacity could be phased out with funding for Clean Ports. Helping a port tenant purchase a 337-yard tractor to haul containers across the port. 56 top handlers load and stack cargo. 24 forklifts.
But the trucks, cargo ships, and trains that transport these goods continue to produce pollution and global warming emissions.
There are more than 22,000 trucks registered at the Port of Los Angeles. 90% are diesel engines. Less than 2% are zero-emission vehicles, including 332 electric trucks and 51 hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
The EPA grant will fund financial incentives for trucking companies and operators to purchase an additional 250 electric cargo trucks. It will also cover the installation of 300 chargers, two solar arrays and 10 battery storage systems.
“For too long, the San Pedro Bay community has suffered from the impacts of cargo-related emissions. “Congratulations on winning this substantive EPA Clean Port grant,” said Ed Avol, director of the Harbor Community Benefits Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing port pollution. “The Port Community Benefits Foundation looks forward to working with the port to achieve its goals without delay.”
In July, the EPA announced a historic new $500 million federal grant to the South Coast Air Quality Management District that plans to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission freight trucks, delivery vehicles, and some locomotives. .
The Port of Los Angeles partnered with Yusen Terminals LLC, Everport Terminal Services, TraPac, Fenix Marine Services, APM Terminals, and Harbor Community Benefit Foundation on the grant application.
The port bid was supported by elected officials, public agencies, business groups, environmental justice advocates, community groups, and labor groups.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the International Ports and Warehousing Federation emphasized that the grant money will be spent on human-operated equipment that will not lead to automation of work or reductions in employment. This includes $50 million for community benefits, including training for residents who want to learn how to operate and repair this new equipment.
“The men and women of ILWU are thrilled to learn of this over $400 million investment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the environmental and economic well-being of our members and communities,” said ILWU Local 13 President Gary Herrera. “There is,” he said. “Human-operated zero-emissions cargo handling equipment not only protects good jobs while cleaning the air, but is also the most efficient and cost-effective option for port operations, as well as providing additional functionality for ports. It is the gold standard for operations and a necessary safeguard against cyber threats to our national security.”
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