Page 38: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2023)

Shipping & Ports Annual 2023 ZERO EMISSION PORTS

Zero Emission is a Nice Idea, but Who’s Going to Pay for It?

EPA Readying Big Money for Zero Emission Ports

By Tom Ewing

EPA is working on two high-pro? le port ini- DERA funding from 2008 to 2020 was $171 million.

tiatives that it hopes will move the needle in DERA’s goal is to help fund projects that reduce diesel emis- a big way towards US ports’ zero emissions sions and exposure, especially at ports and areas designated as hav-

US (ZE) operations and clean air goals. ing poor air quality. Examples of recent projects (2020) include:

The ? rst initiative started last May when EPA published a re- • $1 million to the Connecticut Maritime Foundation quest for information and comments that would help the Agency Inc. to replace engines in a New York ferry.

develop Guidance it could use to evaluate funding requests for • $1.1 million to the Georgia Ports Authority to replace projects for zero-emission vehicles, port equipment and related 37 drayage trucks operating in Savannah.

infrastructure. EPA has $4 billion available for these investments: • $2.3 million to the Virginia Port Authority to replace $1 billion is for heavy duty vehicles; $3 billion is for clean ports. 10 diesel straddle carriers with Tier 4 hybrid

The second initiative was announced in August when EPA powered equipment.

opened up the application period for 2022-2023 DERA funding • $323,773 to the Port of Seattle to install marine – Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants. DERA is not a new shore power at the Bell Street Cruise Terminal. program, funding started in 2008. DERA money is linked to The DERA application deadline is December 1. Award federal budgeting. As a program, DERA is not as rich as EPA’s maximum is $4.5 million. EPA expects to grant between 4-10 upcoming ZE funding. The new round of DERA funding to- awards in each of EPA’s 10 geographical regions. Watch for tals $115 million; still, that’s substantial considering that total new awards in 2024.

©Kalyakan/AdobeStock 38 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • September 2023

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