Port of LA to spend $648 million for zero-emission transformation

The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded an unprecedented $412 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the zero-emission transition at the nation’s busiest global trade hub, port officials announced Tuesday.

The port and several private-sector companies with port operations will add $236 million, bringing the total for zero-emission programs to $648 million. 

The funding is from the EPA’s Clean Ports Program.

“With this funding, the nation’s busiest port will be able to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality,” LA Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “Together, in partnership with the federal government, industry, labor, and environmental justice groups, we are building a greener and healthier Los Angeles.”

The new zero-emissions funding is for nearly 425 pieces of battery electric, human-operated cargo-handling equipment, installing 300 new charging stations and other electric-vehicle infrastructure and 250 drayage trucks, according to a statement from the port.

The grant will also provide for $50 million for a community grant program, workforce development and engagement activities, officials said.

“The San Pedro Bay ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment of over $400 million in the Port of Los Angeles is a monumental step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, said in a statement. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air and protect public health in Southern California communities while building toward our essential zero-emission goals.”

EPA and port officials also lauded the funding infusion for emission-free energy and transportation in a prepared statement.

“We at the EPA are proud to be supporting the Port of Los Angeles’ zero-emission transition with such significant federal funding – this $411.7 million represents the single largest Clean Ports investment of the 55 being announced today,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Replacing diesel-powered port and freight equipment with clean, zero-emission technologies will reduce pollution, improve health outcomes in communities that have suffered for too long, and help advance the campaign to address climate change.”

Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said, “This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change, while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country. 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.”

The companies that joined the port and union officials in the grant application submitted in May were Yusen Terminals LLC, Everport Terminal Services, TraPac Inc., Fenix Marine Services, APM Terminals and the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation. Port officials said the grant application drew the support of over 100 elected officials, public agencies, business groups, environmental justice, community and labor organizations. 

“The San Pedro Bay communities have struggled with the impacts of cargo-goods-related emissions for far too long, so we congratulate the Port of Los Angeles on its substantive EPA Clean Ports Grant award to make meaningful progress towards the stated zero-emissions goal,” Ed Avol, board chair of the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation, said in a statement. “The Harbor Community Benefit Foundation looks forward to working with the Port to achieve that goal without delay.”

Gary Herrera, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local13, said in a statement. “Human operated, zero-emission cargo-handling equipment is the gold standard for maritime port operations not only because it protects good jobs while cleaning the air, but is also the most efficient and cost-effective in terms of port operations, while additionally providing the necessary safeguards against cyber threats to our national security.”

New zero-emission, battery-electric equipment for handling cargo will include 337 yard tractors, 56 top handlers, 24 heavy duty forklifts, 10 battery electric storage systems, two solar arrays, over 300 chargers, 250 drayage trucks and an AMP connection for connecting vessels to shore-based electric power.

Officials estimated annual reductions of nitrogen oxide, or NOx gases by 55 tons, fine particulate matter known as PM 2.5 by 1.5 tons and greenhouse gasses by 41,500 tons. The new equipment will eliminate an estimated 3.5 million gallons annually of diesel fuel consumption. 

“These important funds put an exclamation mark on the progress that has already been made by the maritime industry in our long-term partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, resulting in diesel particulate matter reductions of -91% and sulfur oxides by -98% since 2005 in Southern California,” Mike Jacob, president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, said in a statement.

Port officials also noted that the EPA funding will establish a new standard for environmental stewardship in the maritime industry via the direct funding of a community-led $50 million grant program in partnership with the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation. The program prioritizes grant awards for “frontline, disadvantaged areas.”

The Port of LA is North America’s busiest global trade gateway and has ranked as the No. 1 container port in the nation for 24 straight years, officials said. Last year the port generated $292 billion in trade and handled 8.6 million container units. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate 1 in 9 jobs in LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

Updated Oct. 29, 2024, 12:18 p.m.

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