America’s ports will reduce air pollution with $150 million in FHWA grants

Today, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), joined by several port leaders at a White House event, celebrated almost $150 million in grants from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant Program. The 16 U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) project awards will directly benefit 18 U.S. ports and the air quality around them.

“America's ports empower prosperity, and thanks to wise federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can continue reducing emissions at the same time,” said Cary S. Davis, AAPA President and CEO. "On behalf of our ports and allied organizations, we express our sincere appreciation to Congress and the Biden Administration for responding to our advocacy and granting these awards."

“When truckers spend hours idling at ports, it’s bad for drivers, bad for supply chains, and bad for nearby communities that feel the brunt of more polluted air,” said USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The investments we are announcing today will save truck drivers time and money and help ports reduce congestion and emissions, while making the air more breathable for workers and communities.”

“The projects funded under this program will improve the quality of life for workers and families impacted by pollution from idling trucks while building a clean-energy economy that combats climate change and makes our communities more resilient,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Port-related trade is good for the economy — which is why we are pleased to announce this investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will make a real difference for people who live and work near ports.”

RTEPF project awards range in size from $34.8 million to replace 155 trucks and shuttle buses with zero-emission tech and charging units at the Port of Long Beach to $642,258 to replace a diesel street sweeper with a zero-emission unit and research electric Power Take Off devices on carrier trucks at the Port of Baltimore.