Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the new Clean Ports Program. The program will invest $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act in initiatives to clean up air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at our ports by deploying clean zero-emissions technologies and developing new, innovative port infrastructure planning and strategies. After the announcement, Earthjustice Legislative Representative Athena Motavvef issued the following statement:

“Dirty technologies at our ports account for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions and are key drivers of numerous respiratory and health problems for the millions of people living nearby. We’re thrilled these investments from the Inflation Reduction Act will encourage the deployment of battery-operated zero-emissions technologies at ports to clean up greenhouse gases and harmful air pollution in close consultation with the most impacted communities. This program is a critical step forward in remedying decades of environmental injustices and helping those living near ports breathe the clean air they are entitled to.

“We thank the Biden administration for these transformative investments and recognizing the importance of cleaning up our ports. We urge the administration to build upon this success by expanding our transportation electrification efforts to include freight rail while pairing these investments with strong air regulations. Actions like these are critical to reaching our climate goals and advancing environmental justice.”