US awards Hawaii with $59.2 million for deployment of zero-emission projects

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will receive $59.2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program to support the state’s climate adaptation and air quality planning efforts.

HDOT has been awarded $2.5 million to complete an air emissions inventory baseline study for ocean-going vessels, harbor craft and cargo handling equipment that operate in any of the state’s nine commercial ports. The study will also include recommendations for emissions reduction targets and strategies to reach the targets. As disclosed, this baseline will serve as the benchmark against which HDOT will measure progress in future years.

As for the second award of $56.7 million, it is reserved for purchasing hydrogen-fueled tractors for use in the Sand Island Container Terminal. The grant will also fund the construction of a hydrogen fueling facility in Honolulu Harbor.

Ed Sniffen, Director of Transportation, commented: “We are grateful for the support of the Biden Administration, the EPA and our congressional delegation for these awards, which will greatly enhance the state’s commitment to reduce emissions and enable us to continue to adapt our commercial harbor facilities for future impacts of climate change. These projects, especially the hydrogen vehicles, are the needed catalyst for transformational change across cargo operations in Honolulu Harbor.”

To note, the HDOT is among 55 applicants from 27 states that will share nearly $3 billion in Clean Ports Program grants funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

These grants will support the deployment of zero-emission equipment, as well as infrastructure and climate and air quality planning projects at ports across the country. The aim is to advance “environmental justice” by reducing diesel air pollution in U.S. ports and surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs.

Michael S. Regan, EPA’s Administrator, said: “Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy… Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.”

It is worth mentioning that besides Hawaii, the Port of Vancouver USA and two California ports received the grants. The Port of Vancouver USA secured a $22.5 million grant, the Port of Los Angeles $412 million, while the Port of San Diego received nearly $59 million for its San Diego Clean Cargo project aimed at further electrifying operations at the port’s two maritime cargo terminals and supporting zero-emissions freight movement.