Miles SmithThe Port of Oakland in Oakland, California will spend approximately $500 million to fast track the Oakland Seaport’s conversion to being nearly 100% zero emissions.
The project is being powered by a $322 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, with matching funds from port and local contributions.
The grant will finance zero-emissions equipment upgrades, which includes the purchase of 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling equipment.
The grant comes through the EPA Clean Ports Program, which is funded under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. The Port of Oakland is the major gateway for 99% of waterborne goods moving through Northern California.
“The Clean Ports grant from the U.S. EPA is a major environmental victory,” Port of Oakland Board President Michael Colbruno said. “This funding will go a long way toward decarbonizing the Oakland supply chain and providing environmental and economic benefits for the region.”
The 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, port officials said.
Oakland was one of 55 ports recently selected to receive a portion of nearly $3 billion in grants to fund zero-emission equipment and infrastructure improvements across 27 states and territories through the EPA.
The Clean Ports Program includes $60 million for climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. More than half of the selected projects will take place in disadvantaged communities experiencing poor air quality.
The federal award is the largest-ever grant for a Bay Area program aimed at cutting emissions from seaport cargo operations.
Photo by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash
