Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they have opened the application window for $3 billion of funding through the Clean Ports Program: the Zero Emission Technology Competition and the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition. Established by the Inflation Reduction Act, this funding will make critical investments and serve to catalyze a transition to zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as improve air quality and climate impacts from port-related operations, including electric cargo handling equipment, electric drayage trucks, and shore power. Eligible applicants have until May 28, 2024, to apply.
Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka responded:
“Ports play a vital role in the national and local economics as key hubs for freight movement. They also offer a significant opportunity to deploy electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and port equipment, given the thousands of short- to medium-length trips following fixed or regular routes on and off the port property. Accelerating the adoption of electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and port equipment is critical in reducing our country’s oil dependency while dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“Today’s announcement by the EPA will spur generational investments into electrifying port operations through the deployment of zero-emission technologies. We applaud EPA for the timely release of the Clean Ports Program at this pivotal moment in the nation’s transition towards clean transportation.
“Complemented by other federal investments like the Marine Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program and the Federal Highway Administration’s Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities program, the Clean Port Program competitions will accelerate the creation of ports of the future.”
The Electrification Coalition has numerous tools and resources, such as the EV Funding Finder and the Electric Freight Dashboard, to help ports and port stakeholders proactively plan and prepare for electrification. Additionally, the Electrification Coalition regularly partners with key industry stakeholders through the Electrification Coalition Business Council and the Electric Freight Consortium, offering ports an opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders.
This month, the Electrification Coalition launched the Port Electrification Network to facilitate the effective deployment of electric vehicles and equipment at ports by creating a platform for port stakeholders to share successes and challenges in electrification and forge partnerships. Learn more and get involved at pen@electrificationcoalition.org.
Karl Simon, director of the EPA’s Transportation and Climate Division, will be a featured speaker at the SAFE Summit, to be presented March 12–13 in Washington by the Electrification Coalition and SAFE. Registration is open now at safesummit.org.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org