EPA Announces More Than $280,000 in Grants to Help Illinois Businesses Prevent Pollution as Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda
This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the University of Illinois has been selected to receive $281,280 in grants to provide technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities.
The University of Illinois will provide breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries with on-site technical assistance to reduce hazardous waste from toxic cleaning products, avoid greenhouse gases emissions from organic waste disposal, and promote circular economy by reducing single-use plastics, composting, and purchasing reusable or recycled products.
“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “Empowering businesses through these grant projects is a win-win that protects communities while also cutting costs for businesses.”
“I’m glad to see this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law going to the University of Illinois to reduce pollution and help Illinois businesses,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “From breweries to wineries, this award will lead to a cleaner economy by reducing single-use plastics and toxic waste, and promoting environmentally-friendly products in our service industries.”
“In order to preserve our environment for generations to come, we need to make significant investments in community-driven solutions today,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “This federal investment from EPA will help the University of Illinois provide technical assistance to reduce hazardous waste and promote the use of reusable or recycled products. I’ll keep working to ensure that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve as we progress toward our clean energy future.”
“The P2 grant program will empower businesses to adopt innovative strategies to tackle pollution,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “I’m thrilled that the University of Illinois will receive more than $282,000 through this program to help local businesses reduce hazardous waste and promote the circular economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver transformative investments for Central and Southern Illinois, and I’m proud to be working with the EPA to ensure that our community receives its fair share of these important federal resources.”
In total, EPA announced 48 selectees across the country that will collectively receive nearly $19 million in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the funds awarded this year were made available with no cost share/match requirement.
Pollution prevention, also known as P2 or source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Preventing pollution at the source rather than managing waste afterwards is an important way to support American business’ efforts to reduce costs, while protecting communities from exposure to toxic chemicals and conserving natural resources. These practices are essential for protecting health, improving environmental conditions–including in and around disadvantaged communities–and preserving natural resources like wetlands, groundwater sources, and other critical ecosystems.
Between 2011-2022, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in 31.9 billion kWh in energy savings, eliminated 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 52 billion gallons of water, reduced 1 billion pounds of hazardous materials, and saved businesses more than $2.3 billion.
The agency expects to award funds once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Once awarded, selected grantees will document and share P2 best practices that they identify and develop through these grants, so that others can replicate these practices and outcomes. Each selected grantee will also develop at least one case study during the grant period on P2 practices that are new or not widely known or adopted, or where detailed information on the P2 practices could benefit other businesses or P2 technical assistance providers.
The grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be fully funded upon being awarded, with individual grant awards as high as $350,000. Grants that are a part of the traditional P2 grants program will be funded over a two-year funding cycle and require a cost share/match of fifty percent. EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The full list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA’s Pollution Prevention website.
Background
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made a historic $100 million investment in EPA’s P2 Program, more than doubling the funding for P2 grants. The first round of 39 awards funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in September 2022 and the second round of 24 awards was announced October 2023.
The list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA’s Pollution Prevention website.
Read more about P2 and EPA’s P2 Grant Program.
The University of Illinois will provide breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries with on-site technical assistance to reduce hazardous waste from toxic cleaning products, avoid greenhouse gases emissions from organic waste disposal, and promote circular economy by reducing single-use plastics, composting, and purchasing reusable or recycled products.
“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, EPA has provided unprecedented support for innovative approaches that prevent pollution and protect the environment,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “Empowering businesses through these grant projects is a win-win that protects communities while also cutting costs for businesses.”
“I’m glad to see this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law going to the University of Illinois to reduce pollution and help Illinois businesses,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “From breweries to wineries, this award will lead to a cleaner economy by reducing single-use plastics and toxic waste, and promoting environmentally-friendly products in our service industries.”
“In order to preserve our environment for generations to come, we need to make significant investments in community-driven solutions today,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “This federal investment from EPA will help the University of Illinois provide technical assistance to reduce hazardous waste and promote the use of reusable or recycled products. I’ll keep working to ensure that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve as we progress toward our clean energy future.”
“The P2 grant program will empower businesses to adopt innovative strategies to tackle pollution,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. “I’m thrilled that the University of Illinois will receive more than $282,000 through this program to help local businesses reduce hazardous waste and promote the circular economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver transformative investments for Central and Southern Illinois, and I’m proud to be working with the EPA to ensure that our community receives its fair share of these important federal resources.”
In total, EPA announced 48 selectees across the country that will collectively receive nearly $19 million in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the funds awarded this year were made available with no cost share/match requirement.
Pollution prevention, also known as P2 or source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Preventing pollution at the source rather than managing waste afterwards is an important way to support American business’ efforts to reduce costs, while protecting communities from exposure to toxic chemicals and conserving natural resources. These practices are essential for protecting health, improving environmental conditions–including in and around disadvantaged communities–and preserving natural resources like wetlands, groundwater sources, and other critical ecosystems.
Between 2011-2022, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in 31.9 billion kWh in energy savings, eliminated 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 52 billion gallons of water, reduced 1 billion pounds of hazardous materials, and saved businesses more than $2.3 billion.
The agency expects to award funds once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Once awarded, selected grantees will document and share P2 best practices that they identify and develop through these grants, so that others can replicate these practices and outcomes. Each selected grantee will also develop at least one case study during the grant period on P2 practices that are new or not widely known or adopted, or where detailed information on the P2 practices could benefit other businesses or P2 technical assistance providers.
The grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be fully funded upon being awarded, with individual grant awards as high as $350,000. Grants that are a part of the traditional P2 grants program will be funded over a two-year funding cycle and require a cost share/match of fifty percent. EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The full list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA’s Pollution Prevention website.
Background
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made a historic $100 million investment in EPA’s P2 Program, more than doubling the funding for P2 grants. The first round of 39 awards funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in September 2022 and the second round of 24 awards was announced October 2023.
The list of selections can be found below, and the selected project summaries can be found on EPA’s Pollution Prevention website.
Read more about P2 and EPA’s P2 Grant Program.
EPA Announces Partnership with Village of Franklin Park, Illinois, to Accelerate Replacement of Lead Water Pipes and Protect Public Health
CHICAGO (Nov. 4, 2024) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a collaboration with Village of Franklin Park, Illinois, to help identify drinking water lead pipes, accelerate replacement and protect public health. Franklin Park is participating in the EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, which is funded entirely by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. As part of this initiative, EPA contractors will accompany village representatives from November 6 through November 9 in a door-knocking effort to identify lead service lines.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Franklin Park across the country,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
Consuming lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including nearly $241 million for Illinois just this year alone. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also allocated another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for lead pipe replacement. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“Access to clean, safe drinking water is not just a basic necessity; it is a fundamental human right,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law knowing how our communities, especially those in underserved areas, continue to live with the threat of lead contaminated drinking water. By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Illinois communities can eliminate this public health threat once and for all.”
“Every American deserves access to clean, safe and reliable water, but all too often this neglect disproportionately affects historically underserved communities and communities of color,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me, it’s why I pushed to ensure my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act and historic levels of funding for lead service line replacement were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, I’m proud the Biden-Harris Administration’s Get the Lead Out program is continuing to prioritize getting the lead out of pipes in Illinois communities like Franklin Park so we can help deliver clean water for all.”
“Access to safe drinking water is a human right, and unfortunately many communities across our country still have to wonder if the water they drink is lead-free. The Village of Franklin Park is taking action to protect residents by participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out campaign,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. “I encourage all residents of Franklin Park to collaborate in this effort as the village begins a door-knocking campaign to identify and remove lead service lines. We all have a role to play in promoting a healthy Franklin Park.”
“The Village of Franklin Park has embraced the Get the Lead Out Initiative and is appreciative of the EPA’s technical assistance in helping to reduce the number of lead water services in the Village,” said Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen. “This is a significant contribution in helping the Village’s goal of eliminating lead water services in the future.”
EPA estimates that there are about 9 million lead service lines still in use across the country. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements were finalized on October 8, 2024. They require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them.
The Get the Lead Out Initiative could not come at a better time as EPA is already supporting communities such as the ones in Illinois to identify lead pipes, develop lead service line replacement plans, increase community outreach and education efforts, and apply for funding. As a result of these efforts, Franklin Park, Elgin, Kewanee, Maywood, Monmouth, North Chicago, and South Holland are already on track to meet the more protective standards that EPA has set to protect people from lead in drinking water and move quickly toward the goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines and another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access their fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) programs, such as the Get the Lead Out Initiative.
As part of the Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe replacement. Through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is driving historic levels of funding to replace lead service lines in communities like Franklin Park across the country,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “EPA is using every tool available, including regulation, funding, and this technical assistance initiative, to get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water once and for all.”
Consuming lead in drinking water can cause serious health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children. To protect children and families, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion to replace lead pipes and deliver clean and safe drinking water, including nearly $241 million for Illinois just this year alone. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also allocated another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for lead pipe replacement. However, many underserved communities lack the resources to plan for lead pipe replacement and access federal investments. The technical assistance provided through the Get the Lead Out Initiative will help ensure that no community is left behind in the opportunity to replace lead pipes.
“Access to clean, safe drinking water is not just a basic necessity; it is a fundamental human right,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law knowing how our communities, especially those in underserved areas, continue to live with the threat of lead contaminated drinking water. By partnering with EPA to identify and replace lead service lines, Illinois communities can eliminate this public health threat once and for all.”
“Every American deserves access to clean, safe and reliable water, but all too often this neglect disproportionately affects historically underserved communities and communities of color,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. “Making sure all families have access to clean water is important to me, it’s why I pushed to ensure my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act and historic levels of funding for lead service line replacement were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, I’m proud the Biden-Harris Administration’s Get the Lead Out program is continuing to prioritize getting the lead out of pipes in Illinois communities like Franklin Park so we can help deliver clean water for all.”
“Access to safe drinking water is a human right, and unfortunately many communities across our country still have to wonder if the water they drink is lead-free. The Village of Franklin Park is taking action to protect residents by participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out campaign,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. “I encourage all residents of Franklin Park to collaborate in this effort as the village begins a door-knocking campaign to identify and remove lead service lines. We all have a role to play in promoting a healthy Franklin Park.”
“The Village of Franklin Park has embraced the Get the Lead Out Initiative and is appreciative of the EPA’s technical assistance in helping to reduce the number of lead water services in the Village,” said Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen. “This is a significant contribution in helping the Village’s goal of eliminating lead water services in the future.”
EPA estimates that there are about 9 million lead service lines still in use across the country. Communities wishing to receive assistance with lead service line replacement can request assistance by completing the WaterTA request form on EPA’s WaterTA website.
EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements were finalized on October 8, 2024. They require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within ten years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes and plans for replacing them.
The Get the Lead Out Initiative could not come at a better time as EPA is already supporting communities such as the ones in Illinois to identify lead pipes, develop lead service line replacement plans, increase community outreach and education efforts, and apply for funding. As a result of these efforts, Franklin Park, Elgin, Kewanee, Maywood, Monmouth, North Chicago, and South Holland are already on track to meet the more protective standards that EPA has set to protect people from lead in drinking water and move quickly toward the goal of 100% lead-free pipes.
Background:
Signed in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $50 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, dedicating more than $15 billion to replacing lead service lines and another $11.7 billion to the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. EPA is committed to ensuring every community, particularly underserved and disadvantaged communities, can access their fair share of this unprecedented investment through a robust portfolio of Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) programs, such as the Get the Lead Out Initiative.
As part of the Administration’s whole-of-government effort to tackle lead exposure, EPA will help communities remove the barriers to lead pipe replacement. Through the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the agency, state and Tribal programs, water system managers, and community leaders.
BC container ports ready to lock out longshore foremen after strike vote
Vancouver, Canada’s busiest container port, faces the possibility of a shutdown unless maritime employers and longshore foremen reach a new contract before a Monday deadline.
USDA and Reinvestment Fund Invest Nearly $6 Million to Increase Equitable Access to Healthy Foods Across Country
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced today that USDA is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to invest nearly $6 million to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country.
Biden-Harris Administration to End Online Junk Fees for Low-Income Families Paying for School Meals
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that students eligible for free and reduced price school meals must not be charged junk fees along with the cost of a meal served through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program.
Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $40 million of Clean Ports investments in Connecticut as part of Investing in America agenda
BOSTON (Nov. 1, 2024) — Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with federal, state, and local partners celebrated that Gateway Terminal in partnership with the New Haven Port Authority, and the Connecticut Port Authority have been selected to receive nearly $40 million in total through EPA's Clean Ports Program to support the deployment of zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure
Enstructure New Haven Holdings' Gateway Terminal, in partnership with the New Haven Port Authority in Connecticut, has been selected to receive an anticipated $34,032,340 for the purchase and deployment of zero-emission cargo handling equipment with supporting charging infrastructure, as well as rooftop solar generation and battery energy storage systems to supplement grid power for the mobile equipment. The project also includes scrapping several pieces of diesel-powered cargo handling equipment to reduce air pollution at the port and in the surrounding area. Training on the all-electric equipment will be provided to the existing workforce, and the community will be engaged in project implementation and in sourcing workers for new good-paying jobs. Gateway recently joined Green Marine, a voluntary environmental benchmarking and continuous improvement program, which requires participants to annually measure, certify and publish their performance indicators, including emissions reduction and community relations.
The Connecticut Port Authority has been selected to receive an anticipated $5,357,103 to acquire a mobile shore power unit and install supporting shore power infrastructure at the New London State Pier. The project will reduce diesel emissions by providing power to vessels at berth, enabling docked marine vessels to connect to the local electric grid to power onboard services instead of running their diesel engines, thereby decreasing health risks and noise pollution for port workers and the near-port communities. The State Pier was recently upgraded to enable it to serve as a marshalling port for offshore wind facility operations. CPA will engage stakeholders in New London to increase public awareness education, and ongoing communication. A workforce training program developed in coordination with unions and other stakeholders will help prepare the local labor force to fill high-quality jobs created by this project.
The grants are funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act—the largest investment in combating climate change and promoting clean energy in history—and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from U.S. ports and near surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America's ports thrive.
"Our nation's ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today's historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden's vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. 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."
"Ports are vital to our economy, and are often communities that are most overburdened by pollution. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are helping to ensure that our New England ports remain strong drivers of economic growth and workforce development, while cutting diesel pollution, tackling climate change, and improving community health," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Whether it's deploying zero-emission equipment in Connecticut or planning the best path forward to a zero-emissions future in Maine or Massachusetts, these investments will improve the air we breathe, protect the health of our families, and support good-paying jobs for America's workers."
"This milestone investment will make our ports cleaner and healthier – using zero-emission equipment. Stopping air pollution while modernizing and enhancing port facilities is a gigantic win for both our environment and economy. Communities around the ports will have better air and jobs," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
"Our ports are the driving force behind Connecticut's blue economy, but the diesel-powered equipment we use to move goods through them is polluting nearby communities and taking a toll on public health. By replacing aging, polluting equipment with cleaner, zero-emission alternatives, this $39 million in federal funding will help keep ports in New Haven and New London running smoothly while improving quality of life, creating good-paying jobs, and moving us closer to achieving our climate goals," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
"I am pleased to announce that Gateway Terminals and the Connecticut Port Authority will receive vital grant funding that will reduce diesel emissions, lower health risks and noise pollution for port workers and near-port communities, and decrease pollution in the Long Island Sound," said U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro. "In New Haven, Gateway Terminal will be using this funding to replace four aging diesel-powered cranes with all-electric machines, deploy 10 all-electric tractors for terminal drayage services, and install solar infrastructure. These efforts will reduce their reliance on the electric grid and the need for fossil fuel dependency while greatly improving air quality for residents of the City."
"The redevelopment and modernization of State Pier New London in 2019 dramatically increased its square footage and weight bearing capacity, with an eye to both increased cargo activity, as well as wind turbine assembly. With this $5 million new federal investment funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the pier can now install zero-emission power equipment so that docked ships can power onboard services. This upgrade will keep New London State Pier competitive with the maritime industry and protect water quality in the Thames River," said U.S. Representative Joe Courtney.
"This transformative grant will accelerate our transition to clean, electric-powered equipment and infrastructure at the Gateway Terminal. This investment will allow us to reduce diesel consumption and position our terminal at the forefront of sustainable port operations," said Enstructure Co-CEO's Philippe De Montigny and Matthew Satnick. "This investment is pivotal in advancing our terminal's efficiency and a cleaner future for the entire New Haven community. We would like to thank our partners at the New Haven Port Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, and Representative DeLauro for their support on this critical effort."
"The Connecticut Port Authority, Ørsted and Gateway are thrilled to be selected by the EPA's Clean Ports Program to help bring our shore power project to life at New London State Pier," said Paul Whitescarver, Board Chair of the Connecticut Port Authority. "Working together, we've transformed the State Pier into a state-of-the-art offshore wind hub and put hundreds of Connecticut residents to work. Now, by allowing docked vessels to connect directly to the local power grid, this project will further modernize the facility while decreasing emissions and improving local air quality. We thank our local partners and supporters of this project, and we look forward to continuing our investments in Connecticut's economy and clean energy future."
Ports are vital to the U.S. economy and are responsible for moving goods and people throughout the country. At the same time, the port and freight equipment responsible for moving goods—including trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, and cargo-handling equipment—contribute to significant levels of diesel air pollution at and near port facilities. This pollution is especially harmful to nearby communities' health and contributes to climate change. The funds announced today will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emission freight and ferry technologies along with associated charging infrastructure, eliminating more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to 391,220 homes' energy use for one year.
In February 2024, EPA announced two separate funding opportunities for U.S. ports—a Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition to directly fund zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions, and a Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition to fund climate and air quality planning activities. The competitions closed in May 2024 with over $8 billion in requests from applicants across the country seeking to advance next-generation, clean technologies at U.S. ports.
After a thorough and rigorous grant application review process, EPA selected 55 applications in total to receive this historic investment. Applications to the Clean Ports Program were evaluated in part on their workforce development efforts, to ensure that projects will expand access to high-quality jobs. Grant selections also align with the Administration's national goal for a zero-emission freight sector, the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, and the 'all-of government' National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.
Selected projects cover a wide range of human-operated and human-maintained equipment used at and around ports, with funds supporting the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered equipment, including over 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives, and 20 vessels, as well as shore power systems to reduce vessel emissions at berth, battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, and solar power generation.
Initial estimates of tailpipe reductions from this new equipment are estimated to be over 3 million metric tons of CO2, 12 thousand short tons of NOx, and 200 short tons of PM2.5 in the first 10 years of operation. These estimates are based on initial counts of proposed zero-emission equipment and shore power installations and do not consider benefits from retiring older vehicles, among other factors. These simplified estimates were prepared using national default emissions and activity factors and will be refined over time with more detailed information from selectees.
In addition to protecting human health and the environment, the program will protect and grow good-paying and union port jobs, create new good-paying and union jobs in the domestic clean energy sector, and enhance U.S. economic competitiveness through innovation, installation, maintenance, and operation of zero-emissions equipment and infrastructure. The program's historic investment in zero-emission port technology will also help promote and ensure the U.S. position as a global leader in clean technologies.
EPA's Clean Ports Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from cleaner air and access to high quality jobs that will be created to operate zero emissions technologies at ports.
EPA ensured that near-port community engagement and equity considerations were at the forefront of the Clean Ports Program's design, including by evaluating applications on the extent and quality of their projects' community engagement efforts. The program will also help to ensure that meaningful community engagement and emissions reduction planning become a part of port industry standard practices by building on the successes of EPA's Ports Initiative and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act programs. These programs have previously invested over $196 million to implement 207 diesel emissions reduction projects at ports with an additional $88 million to multi-sector projects that involve ports and have encouraged strong community-port collaboration.
The agency anticipates making awards once all legal, statutory, and administrative requirements are satisfied. Selectees will work with EPA over the coming months to finalize project plans before receiving final awards and moving into the implementation phase. Project implementation will occur over the next three to four years depending on the scope of each project.
To learn more about the Clean Ports Program tentatively selected applications, please visit the Clean Ports Program Selections webpage.
Enstructure New Haven Holdings' Gateway Terminal, in partnership with the New Haven Port Authority in Connecticut, has been selected to receive an anticipated $34,032,340 for the purchase and deployment of zero-emission cargo handling equipment with supporting charging infrastructure, as well as rooftop solar generation and battery energy storage systems to supplement grid power for the mobile equipment. The project also includes scrapping several pieces of diesel-powered cargo handling equipment to reduce air pollution at the port and in the surrounding area. Training on the all-electric equipment will be provided to the existing workforce, and the community will be engaged in project implementation and in sourcing workers for new good-paying jobs. Gateway recently joined Green Marine, a voluntary environmental benchmarking and continuous improvement program, which requires participants to annually measure, certify and publish their performance indicators, including emissions reduction and community relations.
The Connecticut Port Authority has been selected to receive an anticipated $5,357,103 to acquire a mobile shore power unit and install supporting shore power infrastructure at the New London State Pier. The project will reduce diesel emissions by providing power to vessels at berth, enabling docked marine vessels to connect to the local electric grid to power onboard services instead of running their diesel engines, thereby decreasing health risks and noise pollution for port workers and the near-port communities. The State Pier was recently upgraded to enable it to serve as a marshalling port for offshore wind facility operations. CPA will engage stakeholders in New London to increase public awareness education, and ongoing communication. A workforce training program developed in coordination with unions and other stakeholders will help prepare the local labor force to fill high-quality jobs created by this project.
The grants are funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act—the largest investment in combating climate change and promoting clean energy in history—and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from U.S. ports and near surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America's ports thrive.
"Our nation's ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today's historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden's vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. 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."
"Ports are vital to our economy, and are often communities that are most overburdened by pollution. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are helping to ensure that our New England ports remain strong drivers of economic growth and workforce development, while cutting diesel pollution, tackling climate change, and improving community health," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Whether it's deploying zero-emission equipment in Connecticut or planning the best path forward to a zero-emissions future in Maine or Massachusetts, these investments will improve the air we breathe, protect the health of our families, and support good-paying jobs for America's workers."
"This milestone investment will make our ports cleaner and healthier – using zero-emission equipment. Stopping air pollution while modernizing and enhancing port facilities is a gigantic win for both our environment and economy. Communities around the ports will have better air and jobs," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
"Our ports are the driving force behind Connecticut's blue economy, but the diesel-powered equipment we use to move goods through them is polluting nearby communities and taking a toll on public health. By replacing aging, polluting equipment with cleaner, zero-emission alternatives, this $39 million in federal funding will help keep ports in New Haven and New London running smoothly while improving quality of life, creating good-paying jobs, and moving us closer to achieving our climate goals," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
"I am pleased to announce that Gateway Terminals and the Connecticut Port Authority will receive vital grant funding that will reduce diesel emissions, lower health risks and noise pollution for port workers and near-port communities, and decrease pollution in the Long Island Sound," said U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro. "In New Haven, Gateway Terminal will be using this funding to replace four aging diesel-powered cranes with all-electric machines, deploy 10 all-electric tractors for terminal drayage services, and install solar infrastructure. These efforts will reduce their reliance on the electric grid and the need for fossil fuel dependency while greatly improving air quality for residents of the City."
"The redevelopment and modernization of State Pier New London in 2019 dramatically increased its square footage and weight bearing capacity, with an eye to both increased cargo activity, as well as wind turbine assembly. With this $5 million new federal investment funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the pier can now install zero-emission power equipment so that docked ships can power onboard services. This upgrade will keep New London State Pier competitive with the maritime industry and protect water quality in the Thames River," said U.S. Representative Joe Courtney.
"This transformative grant will accelerate our transition to clean, electric-powered equipment and infrastructure at the Gateway Terminal. This investment will allow us to reduce diesel consumption and position our terminal at the forefront of sustainable port operations," said Enstructure Co-CEO's Philippe De Montigny and Matthew Satnick. "This investment is pivotal in advancing our terminal's efficiency and a cleaner future for the entire New Haven community. We would like to thank our partners at the New Haven Port Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, and Representative DeLauro for their support on this critical effort."
"The Connecticut Port Authority, Ørsted and Gateway are thrilled to be selected by the EPA's Clean Ports Program to help bring our shore power project to life at New London State Pier," said Paul Whitescarver, Board Chair of the Connecticut Port Authority. "Working together, we've transformed the State Pier into a state-of-the-art offshore wind hub and put hundreds of Connecticut residents to work. Now, by allowing docked vessels to connect directly to the local power grid, this project will further modernize the facility while decreasing emissions and improving local air quality. We thank our local partners and supporters of this project, and we look forward to continuing our investments in Connecticut's economy and clean energy future."
Ports are vital to the U.S. economy and are responsible for moving goods and people throughout the country. At the same time, the port and freight equipment responsible for moving goods—including trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, and cargo-handling equipment—contribute to significant levels of diesel air pollution at and near port facilities. This pollution is especially harmful to nearby communities' health and contributes to climate change. The funds announced today will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emission freight and ferry technologies along with associated charging infrastructure, eliminating more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to 391,220 homes' energy use for one year.
In February 2024, EPA announced two separate funding opportunities for U.S. ports—a Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition to directly fund zero-emission equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions, and a Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition to fund climate and air quality planning activities. The competitions closed in May 2024 with over $8 billion in requests from applicants across the country seeking to advance next-generation, clean technologies at U.S. ports.
After a thorough and rigorous grant application review process, EPA selected 55 applications in total to receive this historic investment. Applications to the Clean Ports Program were evaluated in part on their workforce development efforts, to ensure that projects will expand access to high-quality jobs. Grant selections also align with the Administration's national goal for a zero-emission freight sector, the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, and the 'all-of government' National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.
Selected projects cover a wide range of human-operated and human-maintained equipment used at and around ports, with funds supporting the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered equipment, including over 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives, and 20 vessels, as well as shore power systems to reduce vessel emissions at berth, battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, and solar power generation.
Initial estimates of tailpipe reductions from this new equipment are estimated to be over 3 million metric tons of CO2, 12 thousand short tons of NOx, and 200 short tons of PM2.5 in the first 10 years of operation. These estimates are based on initial counts of proposed zero-emission equipment and shore power installations and do not consider benefits from retiring older vehicles, among other factors. These simplified estimates were prepared using national default emissions and activity factors and will be refined over time with more detailed information from selectees.
In addition to protecting human health and the environment, the program will protect and grow good-paying and union port jobs, create new good-paying and union jobs in the domestic clean energy sector, and enhance U.S. economic competitiveness through innovation, installation, maintenance, and operation of zero-emissions equipment and infrastructure. The program's historic investment in zero-emission port technology will also help promote and ensure the U.S. position as a global leader in clean technologies.
EPA's Clean Ports Program advances President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from cleaner air and access to high quality jobs that will be created to operate zero emissions technologies at ports.
EPA ensured that near-port community engagement and equity considerations were at the forefront of the Clean Ports Program's design, including by evaluating applications on the extent and quality of their projects' community engagement efforts. The program will also help to ensure that meaningful community engagement and emissions reduction planning become a part of port industry standard practices by building on the successes of EPA's Ports Initiative and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act programs. These programs have previously invested over $196 million to implement 207 diesel emissions reduction projects at ports with an additional $88 million to multi-sector projects that involve ports and have encouraged strong community-port collaboration.
The agency anticipates making awards once all legal, statutory, and administrative requirements are satisfied. Selectees will work with EPA over the coming months to finalize project plans before receiving final awards and moving into the implementation phase. Project implementation will occur over the next three to four years depending on the scope of each project.
To learn more about the Clean Ports Program tentatively selected applications, please visit the Clean Ports Program Selections webpage.
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