White House rolls out US$3Bn investment in American ports 

The US Environmental Protection Agency has chosen 55 projects across 27 states and territories to receive nearly US$3Bn in grant funding through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program.

The grants are intended to support the deployment of zero-emissions equipment and infrastructure, and climate and air quality planning projects for ports across the country.

The grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which has been hailed as the largest package of funding to incentivise clean energy the US has seen, to date.

According to the White House and the EPA, "The Clean Ports Program will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emissions freight and ferry technologies along with associated infrastructure, eliminating more than 3M tonnes of carbon pollution over the first 10 years of implementation."

The White House said the funds will go to support the purchase of 20 vessels, shore power systems for oceangoing vessels, battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fuelling infrastructure, and solar power generation in addition to battery-electric and hydrogen-powered equipment in ports.

"While a major economic driver, our nation’s ports are a major source of pollution for workers and surrounding communities. Communities living near ports and other transport corridors are exposed to toxic pollution which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular harm, especially in children," a White House statement said.

Environmental NGO Pacific Environment said the grant funding will reduce diesel air pollution from US ports and surrounding communities "while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America’s ports thrive".

US President Joe Biden announced the funding in Baltimore, Maryland, which has seen an influx of federal support since the neo-Panamax container ship Dali destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this year.

Earlier in October, the US Department of Justice agreed a US$102M settlement with Dali’s owners and operators that will see the US federal government recoup the costs incurred for its work to clear debris and restore access to a major shipping channel leading to the US port of Baltimore, Maryland.