EPA Clean Ports Grant Program
EPA Clean Ports Grant Program
Port of Oakland: The Community Led, Business Supported, Proven and Ready to Go! Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions Project
Contact
For questions about this project, please contact Shelley Merid at:
Resources
“Getting to zero-emissions operations requires ongoing collaboration with our community, tenants and customers as well as with the support from our state and federal partners to accelerate these transformative investments for the benefit of our local residents,"
- Former Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan
Project Summary
On December 16, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Port of Oakland $322 million for the Clean Ports Program proposal “Community Led, Business Supported, Proven and Ready to Go! Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions Project”, which will help fast track the Oakland Seaport’s conversion to nearly 100 percent zero-emissions cargo handling operations. The Port and local partner contributions will help towards investment of green initiatives at the Oakland seaport, as well as provide environmental and economic benefits for the region. The grant will finance 663 pieces of zero-emissions equipment, which includes 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling equipment.
The Port collaborated with a wide array of project partners and community groups, having implemented West and East Oakland priorities, to develop a comprehensive program that is community created and coalition driven, which will help the Port achieve its zero-emissions goals faster. This Project supports a long-standing community and industry vision of fully decarbonizing Port activities by providing Port tenants and Port users the opportunity to transition to zero emission alternatives for drayage trucks and cargo handling equipment. This Project will advance established emissions reductions and climate adaptation community initiatives which will see actionable and measurable results for the surrounding communities in Oakland.
As the major hub for containerized cargo in Northern California, the Port is a sustainability leader in the goods movement industry, partnering with regulatory agencies, community members and groups, neighboring cities, tenants, and private sector partners to improve the environment, social responsibility, and the economy. Together, with a coalition of 20 community based organizations, workforce development organizations, marine terminals, Port users, and industry leaders, this Project will support emissions reductions and climate adaptation initiatives which will benefit the region’s most vulnerable and underserved communities in East and West Oakland while advancing a community verified and air district supported air monitoring system to measure Project effectiveness and outcomes.
This Project is consistent with (and advances) plans such as the California Air Resources Board’s Priority Climate Action Plan, AB 617 West Oakland Community Action Plan, and the Port’s Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan. Specifically, the community and the Port proposed the following upgrades: the replacement of approximately 663 pieces of equipment with zero emission (ZE) equipment (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell):
- 475 Drayage Trucks
- 118 Yard Tractors
- 8 Front End Loaders
- 57 Forklifts
- One Rail Car Mover
- Four Reach Stackers
Community Engagement
The Port has elicited strong community engagement by partnering with four community-based organizations (CBOs): West Oakland Indicators Project, West Oakland Cultural Action Network, the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, and the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation to engage other CBOs and Oakland residents to participate in Project activities including monitoring and informing the community on the performance of the Project. The Rose Foundation, in particular, will support the youth engagement aspect, reaching at least 3000+ youth throughout the Project’s four years with a robust outreach plan.
Another community-driven element of this Project is air quality monitoring to measure the effectiveness of the Project. The Port will conduct this monitoring as part of the Performance Measures and Plan required under the EPA Clean Ports Program. The Port solicited the CBOs mentioned above, as well as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to provide technical support on the proposed air quality monitoring. Support will include development of the air quality monitoring program, selection of the air quality consultant, and measurement of progress towards ZE.
Workforce Development
The Port is partnering with three local workforce development organizations to support this Project – the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the Machinist’s Institute (MI), and the West Oakland Jobs Resource Center (WOJRC). PMA will provide skills and safety training on how to operate the ZE equipment and vehicles. MI will assist WOJRC with the expansion of their current Pre-Apprentice Transportation, Distribution and Logistics training program to include additional training and new pathways for their participants around the growing careers impacted by the introduction of ZE vehicles (ZEV) and other climate resilient mandates.
Technical Expertise
The Center for Transportation and the Environment is partnering with the Port to provide their expertise in implementing ZE equipment and supporting infrastructure. They will provide technical advisory services for the significant amount of infrastructure and equipment that will need to be purchased and installed. They will also provide grants administration support.
Another partner on this project, CALSTART, will primarily support the Project with the design and management of a 2-year Truck Loaner Program. The program’s objective is to provide access of zero emission trucks to independent owner operators and small fleets operating in disadvantaged communities, at no cost to the trucker. Firsthand access to ZEV technologies has long been a barrier to adoption. Within the program, CALSTART will leverage existing dealership partnerships through the Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP) program funded by California Climate Investments.
Project Partners:
EPA Clean Ports Program Background:
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with $3 billion to fund zero emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning, at U.S. ports. This historic investment will improve air quality at ports and surrounding communities, help combat climate change, and support meaningful community engagement.
Clean Ports Program Goals:
- Build a foundation for the port sector to transition over time to fully zero-emissions operations, positioning ports to serve as a catalyst for transformational change across the freight sector.
- Reduce diesel pollution (criteria pollutants, GHGs, and air toxics) in near-port communities.
- Help ensure that meaningful community engagement and emissions reduction planning are port industry standard practices.