The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Port of Los Angeles more than $400 million to support its transition to electric freight-moving equipment – ​​a major boost to efforts to reduce pollution in the busiest container port in the United States.

The so-called Clean Ports grant, announced Tuesday, is part of a broader $3 billion initiative to deploy zero-emissions equipment at the nation’s ports, which are major sources of smog and gas emissions at greenhouse.

The Port of Los Angeles received the largest award, securing $411 million in federal funding. The port and its private partners have committed an additional $236 million in matching funds for zero-emissions initiatives.

“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to achieve our ambitious zero emissions targets, improve regional air quality and combat climate change while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions at across the country,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

This historic grant, funded by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, will significantly accelerate the Port’s efforts to replace diesel-powered equipment with all-electric alternatives.

The funding is expected to support the purchase of more than 400 pieces of freight moving equipment, such as construction tractors and forklifts. The grant also aims to increase the number of battery-electric trucks and expand the port’s charging infrastructure.

These investments will help the port avoid burning 3.5 million gallons of diesel fuel each year, according to port officials. It will reduce smog-causing emissions by 55 tonnes and global warming carbon emissions by 41,500 tonnes per year.

“Our ports are the backbone of our economy – essential hubs that support our supply chain, drive trade, create jobs and connect us all,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who visited the port in March. “But we cannot ignore the challenges faced by communities who live and work near these ports. Too often, these communities face serious air quality problems due to diesel pollution from trucks, ships and other port machinery.

Six other California ports also received federal funding: Oakland, Oxnard, San Diego, San Francisco, Stockton and Redwood City. The Port of Long Beach, which neighbors the Port of Los Angeles and is the nation’s second-busiest port, was absent from the list of announced grant recipients, however.

The Port of Los Angeles, nicknamed America’s Port, serves as a vital gateway between Asia and the United States. From furniture to electronics, approximately $300 billion worth of goods pass through this sprawling seaport each year. These operations provide tens of thousands of jobs for dock workers, truck drivers and other workers who help move this cargo.

But port activity is also one of the region’s largest stationary sources of smog-producing emissions. Although the port has significantly reduced diesel exhaust and nitrogen oxides with cleaner fuels and engines over the past two decades, it now faces its toughest challenge yet: adopt zero-emission technology.

The new funding will help it achieve its ambitious goal: for all terminal equipment to be zero-emission by 2030. The port has over 2,100 pieces of freight moving equipment — of which around 72% are diesel and 9% are electric.

Clean Ports funding could phase out more than a quarter of diesel equipment. It will help port tenants purchase 337 construction tractors that transport containers across the port; 56 senior managers who load and stack the cargo; and 24 forklifts.

However, the trucks, cargo ships and trains that transport these goods continue to generate pollution and emissions that contribute to global warming.

More than 22,000 trucks are registered to serve the Port of Los Angeles. Ninety percent run on diesel. Less than 2% are zero emissions and include 332 electric trucks and 51 hydrogen fuel cell trucks.

The EPA grant will fund financial incentives for businesses and trucking operators to purchase 250 additional electric freight trucks. It is also expected to cover the installation of 300 electric chargers, two solar panels and 10 battery storage systems.

“San Pedro Bay communities have struggled with the impacts of cargo-related emissions for too long, which is why we congratulate the Port of Los Angeles on its important EPA Clean Ports Grant award for making significant progress toward the goal declared zero emissions. ” said Ed Avol, who serves on the board of directors of the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation, an organization that works to mitigate pollution at ports. “The Harbor Community Benefit Foundation looks forward to working with the port to achieve this goal without delay.

In July, the EPA announced another historic $500 million federal grant to the South Coast Air Quality Management Districtwhich plans to encourage the adoption of cargo trucks, delivery vehicles and some zero-emission locomotives.

The Port of Los Angeles partnered with Yusen Terminals LLC, Everport Terminal Services, TraPac, Fenix ​​Marine Services, APM Terminals and the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation for the grant application.

The port’s bid was supported by elected officials, public agencies, business groups, environmental justice advocates, community groups and labor organizations.

Beyond the environmental benefits, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union emphasized that the grant will be spent on human-operated equipment that will not automate operations or eliminate jobs. This includes $50 million for community benefits, including training for residents to learn how to use and repair this new equipment.

“The men and women of the ILWU are delighted to learn of this investment of more than $400 million, made by the U.S. EPA, in the environmental and economic well-being of our members and the community local,” said Gary Herrera, president of ILWU Local 13. “Zero-emission, human-operated cargo handling equipment sets the benchmark for maritime port operations, not only because it protects good jobs while cleaning the air, but it is also the most efficient and most cost-effective in terms of port operations, while further providing the necessary safeguards against cyber threats to our national security.