Federal Funding Announcement Based Off Program Proposed by Rep. Barragán’s Climate Smart Ports Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 February 2023
Contact: Kevin McGuire | 202-538-2386 (mobile) Kevin.McGuire@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 billion in available federal funding to deploy zero-emission equipment and supporting infrastructure at ports, and to support the development of climate and clean air plans at ports. The funding provided in the Inflation Reduction Act for the EPA’s Clean Ports Program’s “Zero Emission Technology Deployment Competition” is based off Congresswoman Nanette Barragán’s (CA-44) Climate Smart Ports Act, which she introduced to reduce port pollution from the Port of Los Angeles and ports around the country.
“This is great news for ports around the country, and the health of the communities that surround them,” said Rep. Barragán. “In my district, communities like San Pedro, Wilmington, and Long Beach live near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They have long dealt with toxic diesel pollution from these ports, resulting in high rates of asthma, cancer, and other health issues. With the EPA’s Clean Ports Program, the Port of Los Angeles will have an opportunity to apply for funding that will help them to reduce pollution through the adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks, cargo handling equipment, and port electrification. I was proud to be able to include this critical funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, and thank President Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan for their support to reduce pollution in underserved communities and communities of color.”
“Our nation’s ports are among the busiest in the world, helping us to create good jobs here in America, move goods, and grow our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic funding announcement reflects President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in creating globally competitive solutions of the future. Today we’re making $3 billion available to install cleaner and more efficient technologies while cutting air pollution to protect the people who work at and live near ports.”
Additional details on the EPA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Clean Ports Program can be found here.
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