California’s ports are getting a historic $1 billion boost to clean up operations, thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla announced that the funding, derived from the Inflation Reduction Act, will help seven California ports transition to zero-emission (ZE) infrastructure, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
The Port of Los Angeles, securing the largest grant at $411 million, will replace 400 diesel cargo-handling machines with electric alternatives and deploy 250 zero-emission drayage trucks, cutting over 41,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka emphasized that the funding will also strengthen community partnerships, noting, “This transformative investment will help meet ambitious zero-emission goals, improve air quality, and create green jobs.”
The Port of Oakland received $322 million to transition nearly all cargo equipment to ZE technology, and the Port of Stockton will use $110 million to become the first small port with zero-emission operations in Northern California. Other ports benefiting from the program include San Diego, San Francisco, Hueneme, and Redwood City, each advancing unique ZE projects like the country’s first fast ferry network and hydrogen-based fueling infrastructure.