EPA awards $400 million to help NYC-area ports reduce carbon footprint

November 21, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding nearly $400 million for projects that help fund new zero-emission equipment and infrastructure as well as comprehensive climate and air quality planning for ports that serve the New York City area

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is getting $344.1 million to buy and operate electric cargo-handling equipment and drayage trucks, and $54.95 million is being allocated to deploy high-speed zero-emission ferries for service between northern New Jersey and New York City. 

The award to the port authority will help it and port operational partners such as terminal operators, truckers and other stakeholders to intensify their ongoing sustainability efforts. 

RELATED: $475 million awarded to ports for expanding hydrogen-based zero-emissions technology

“These extraordinary awards represent a significant step toward our community engagement and sustainability efforts, and we extend our sincere appreciation to all of the port partners who made it happen,” said Bethann Rooney, port director at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “The cargo moved through the Port radiates out across the country, but it would not be possible without the collaboration of the port community.” 

This funding will enable container terminal operators to purchase zero-emission cargo handling equipment. It also provides funding for the installation of shore power capabilities, enabling a ship to shut its engine while berthed and significantly reduce emissions.  

These funds will also allow the Port Authority to establish a voucher program to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks. 

The award also includes $3 million for the Port Authority to deepen its collaboration with key groups who serve the port and live around it.  

The Port Authority plans to use the funds to establish a Port Community Advisory Council, consisting of key stakeholders from communities around the port, to convene for regular meetings with port leadership.  

The grant will also allow the agency to bolster its engagement with drayage truck operators, as well as update the agency’s Drayage Truck Movement and Impact Study to better understand the impacts and needs of the drayage industry as it transitions to cleaner vehicles. The funding will also help create a community-centric air monitoring program. 

In addition to ferries, the $54.95 million awarded includes shore power electrical equipment infrastructure with integrated battery energy storage system to allow fast, efficient, and cost-effective vessel charging, the company said.  

The project will also include the establishment of a community stakeholder group and collaboration with educational institutions and industry groups to advance training, workforce development and technology awareness. 


Photo courtesy Eric Kilby

Miles Smith

Miles Smith has more than two decades of communications experience in the public and private sectors, including several years of covering local governments for various daily and weekly print publications. His scope of work includes handling public relations for large private-sector corporations and managing public-facing communications for local governments.

Smith has recently joined the team as a content writer for SPI’s news publications, which include Texas Government Insider, Government Contracting Pipeline and its newest digital product, Government Market News, which launched in September 2023. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s in journalism.

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