The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded an unprecedented $412 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Clean Ports Program to support the zero-emission (ZE) transition at the nation’s busiest trade gateway. The Port and its private sector partners will match the EPA grant with an additional $236 million, bringing the total new investment in ZE programs at the Port of Los Angeles to $644 million.
“Thank you, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, for your support of our vision of a zero-emission future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “With this funding, the nation’s busiest port will be able to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Together, in partnership with the federal government, industry, labor, and environmental justice groups, we are building a greener and healthier Los Angeles. L.A. will continue to lead on innovative infrastructure and sustainability.”
The new funding will go toward purchasing nearly 425 pieces of battery electric, human-operated ZE cargo-handling equipment, installing 300 new ZE charging ports and other related infrastructure, and deploying 250 ZE drayage trucks. The grant will also provide for $50 million for a community-led ZE grant program, workforce development, and related engagement activities.
“The San Pedro Bay ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment of over $400 million in the Port of Los Angeles is a monumental step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air and protect public health in Southern California communities while building toward our essential zero-emission goals.”
“We at the EPA are proud to be supporting the Port of Los Angeles’s zero-emission transition with such significant federal funding – this $411.7 million represents the single largest Clean Ports investment of the 55 being announced today,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Replacing diesel-powered port and freight equipment with clean, zero-emission technologies will reduce pollution, improve health outcomes in communities that have suffered for too long, and help advance the campaign to address climate change.”
“This grant is a game changer for the Port of LA and our port communities,” said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, whose district includes the Port. “Today’s funding announcement is the direct result of a five-year effort by my office to work with labor, environmental justice groups, industry, and ports, to secure billions of dollars to clean up ports across the country. It will help the Port of LA and ports across the country transition to zero-emission, non-automated equipment. This investment will significantly reduce pollution from ports and help our nearby port communities breathe cleaner air.”
“Reducing harmful emissions through more sustainable Port operations has long been a priority for the Port of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard. “As we work toward our goal of a zero-emission future, we are deeply grateful to the EPA for their support in helping us accelerate many of our industry leading zero-emission initiatives.”
“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change, while accelerating the port-industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This successful application is the culmination of a deep partnership with environmental justice groups, labor, the private sector, and stakeholders at all levels of government, and we’ll continue to work with our local communities to ensure this investment delivers benefits in their neighborhoods. We thank the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their unprecedented support of our ambition and look forward to delivering on our commitment to cleaner air for future generations.”
“The San Pedro Bay communities have struggled with the impacts of cargo-goods-related emissions for far too long, so we congratulate the Port of Los Angeles on its substantive EPA Clean Ports Grant award to make meaningful progress towards the stated zero-emissions goal,” said Ed Avol, Board Chair of the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation. “The Harbor Community Benefit Foundation looks forward to working with the Port to achieve that goal without delay.”
“The men and women of the ILWU are thrilled to learn of this over $400 Million investment, by the U.S. EPA, in the environmental and economic well-being of our members and local community,” said Gary Herrera, President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local13. “Human operated, zero-emission cargo-handling equipment is the gold standard for maritime port operations not only because it protects good jobs while cleaning the air, but is also the most efficient and cost-effective in terms of port operations, while additionally providing the necessary safeguards against cyber threats to our national security.”
“This EPA grant and the matching funds to be provided by marine terminals and the Port are critical components in tackling our zero-emission goals,” said Mike Jacob, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. “These important funds put an exclamation mark on the progress that has already been made by the maritime industry in our long-term partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, resulting in diesel particulate matter reductions of -91% and sulfur oxides by -98% since 2005 in Southern California.”
In support of its goal to achieve 100% ZE terminal operations by 2030, the Port, with assistance from the ILWU, and several of its private sector tenant-partners submitted the EPA grant application this past May. The Port partnered with Yusen Terminals LLC, Everport Terminal Services, TraPac, Fenix Marine Services, APM Terminals and the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation on the successful application. The application was supported by a coalition of over 100 elected officials, public agencies, business groups, environmental justice, community and labor organizations.
Zero-emission initiatives supported by the EPA grant and matching funds are expected to significantly reduce emissions from Port operations, decreasing annual emissions of NOx by 55 tons, PM2.5 by 1.5 tons and greenhouse gasses by 41,500 tons, and eliminating 3.5 million gallons of annual diesel fuel usage.
Zero-emission, battery-electric cargo-handling equipment purchases supported by the new grant funding will include:
• 337 yard tractors
• 56 top handlers
• 24 heavy duty forklifts
• 10 battery electric storage systems
• Two solar arrays
• 300+ chargers
• 250 drayage trucks
• Auto terminal vessel shore power AMP® connection
The grant will set a new standard for environmental stewardship in the maritime industry by directly funding an innovative, community-led $50 million ZE grant program in partnership with the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation, prioritizing investments that benefit frontline, disadvantaged areas. Investments will be identified through a community-led outreach and selection process that prioritizes projects having the greatest emission reductions and their impact on neighborhoods surrounding the Port.
