Some $648 million in federal and private funding will support ongoing efforts to transition to zero-emission equipment at the Port of Los Angeles, officials announced Tuesday.
About $412 million is coming from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program while the port’s private sector partners will match the federal grant with an additional $236 million.
The funding will be used to purchase zero-emission equipment including 337 yard tractors, 56 top handlers, 24 heavy duty forklifts, and the installation of 300 chargers and 250 zero-emission drayage trucks, officials said. Additionally, it will bring two solar arrays, and provide an alternative power source for vessels at the port.
Some $50 million will support a community-led zero-emission grant program for workforce development and other engagement activities.
Gene Seroka, executive director for the Port of Los Angeles, called it a “transformative investment” that will help the facility meet zero-emission goals, improve regional air quality and combat climate change.
The port submitted its EPA grant application in May in partnership with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and several of its private sector tenants such as Yusen Terminals LLC, Everport Terminal Services, TraPac, Fenix Marine Services and APM Terminals.
Harbor Community Benefit Foundation members also played a role in securing the funding, port officials added.
“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,” Seroka said in a statement.
Port officials said the funding is expected to produce annual decrease of 55 tons of NOx, 1.5 tons of PM2.5 and 41,500 tons of greenhouse gasses, eliminating 3.5 million gallons of annual diesel fuel usage.
“Reducing harmful emissions through more sustainable port operations has long been a priority for the Port of Los Angeles,” Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard said in a statement. “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.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass hailed the federal grant, and thanked the Biden administration, as well as EPA Administrator Michael Regan, for their support.
“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,” Bass said in a statement.