The Port of Oakland, one of the country's busiest ports with over $174 billion in annual economic activity, has been awarded a $322 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Ports Program to expedite its conversion to almost 100 percent zero-emissions cargo operations. To date, this is the largest amount of federal-level funding for a Bay Area program.
Combined with local partner and Port matching contributions, an estimated half a billion dollars in total investment will be used for these green initiatives.
The Clean Ports Program was approved as part of 2022's Inflation Reduction Act, which made a total of $3 billion available to fund and implement zero-emissions technologies at U.S. ports.
The grant will specifically be used to finance 663 pieces of zero-emissions equipment, including 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling equipment.
[Related: CARB policies don't reflect reality, says Port of Oakland operator]
“The Clean Ports grant from the U.S. EPA is a major environmental victory,” said Port of Oakland Board president Michael Colbruno. “We are grateful to U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the Bay Area congressional delegation who stood together in strong advocacy for this grant. This funding will go a long way toward decarbonizing the Oakland supply chain and providing environmental and economic benefits for the region.”
A variety of partners benefitting from the grant in a variety of ways include the Black Cultural Zone, Machinist's Institute, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Forum Mobility, WattEV, and Talon Logistics.
[Related: Climate United, Forum Mobility debut $250M electric drayage semitruck leasing program]
“Converting hundreds of pieces of cargo handling equipment to zero emissions at the Port of Oakland opens the door to good-paying jobs for local residents,” said West Oakland Jobs Resource Center Executive Director Joyce Guy. “This project is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue our work to transform the lives of underserved residents. By working closely with the project partners, we can support career training that advances clean energy and offers our community members new economic opportunities.”
