Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $3 Billion in Clean Ports Funding to Cut Freight Pollution

Baltimore, MD -  Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced the awardees of its $3 billion Clean Ports Program, to address pollution at ports and freight hubs across the country.

The Clean Ports Program is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and specifically funds zero-emission technology, making it one of the IRA’s most significant clean transportation programs.

Communities that live near ports are exposed to dangerous pollution from ships, trucks, trains, and cargo handling equipment on a daily basis, and are more at risk of heart and lung disease, cancer, and premature death. For example, West Oakland residents, who live adjacent to the Port of Oakland, are 99 percent more likely to have asthma than other Californians. In southern California, the life expectancy in West Long Beach, adjacent to the port of Long Beach, is eight years shorter than the Los Angeles County average.

The Clean Ports program will fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning at ports. In addition to ports near water, the Clean Ports program also funds dry, inland ports (truck or rail facilities that are connected to seaports by road or rail). 

The Sierra Club put together a map of eligible ports here.

In response to the announcement of the Clean Ports Program grants today, Yassi Kavezade, senior advisor to the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement: 

“The Clean Ports Program delivers necessary relief to communities that have been burdened by toxic freight pollution for decades, prioritizing those experiencing the worst air quality. For far too long, this environmental injustice—that has historically received little attention and few safeguards against unchecked port pollution—has harmed the health of millions of Americans. We are pleased that the ports receiving awards will be working with neighboring communities throughout the implementation process to coordinate on strategies and ensure meaningful engagement.

“Ports are the economic backbone of our country, providing the goods necessary for our daily lives. These tremendous investments will reduce emissions from ships, trucks, trains, and non-road equipment, providing vast benefits for port workers and the families who live in port-adjacent communities. The Clean Ports funds will spur a smooth transition to zero-emission technology, new infrastructure, and high-quality union jobs and establish long-term strategies to improve air quality.

“We applaud the EPA for providing crucial Inflation Reduction Act investments to port communities across the country and serving as a catalyst towards sustainable, zero-emission ports.”  

Background about port pollution:

• Freight pollution from boats idling in harbors; to diesel trucks that haul cargo away; to the locomotives that use the port’s rail network; all spew toxic pollution harming surrounding communities every day. 
• Research has shown that diesel pollution contains more than 40 cancer-causing substances, including benzene and formaldehyde, linking it to asthma, heart disease, and premature death. Electrification of boats, trucks, locomotives, and port equipment can help address this environmental injustice.