US EPA announces $3 billion Clean Ports Program

29 February 2024

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced the launch of the $3 billion Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure. The funding comes from the US Inflation Reduction Act.

The key part of the program is the nearly $2.8 billion Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition will directly fund zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions at US ports. Eligible uses of funding include human-operated and maintained zero-tailpipe-emission cargo handling equipment, harbor craft and other vessels, electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and several other technology investments.

Another component of the program—the approximately $150 million Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition—will fund climate and air quality planning activities at US ports, including emissions inventories, strategy analysis, community engagement, and resiliency measure identification.

The deadline to apply for the two Clean Ports Program funding opportunities is May 28, 2024.

The new program builds on the EPA’s Ports Initiative and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) programs, which have granted more than $196 million to implement 207 diesel emissions reduction projects at ports with an additional $88 million to multi-sector projects that involve ports, the EPA said in a news release.

The EPA Clean Ports Program follows a massive subsidy program for electric school buses, announced in January.

Source: US EPA