EPA Awards Seven Grants for Community Projects

EPA’s Ports Initiative is pleased to share that seven grants for community projects (see descriptions below) to address air quality issues at coastal ports, inland ports, and rail yards were awarded through the Ports Initiative Partnership in the Environmental Justice Small Grant (EJSG) Program. These roughly $75k Ports Initiative EJ Small Grants will help to build community capacity to engage in collaborative efforts to reduce diesel pollution at ports and railyards, which was a special emphasis in the 2021 EJSG Request for Applications (RFA).

2021 EJSG Ports Initiative Projects

EPA awarded grants for the following 2021 Ports Initiative Partnership EJSG projects that will prepare community stakeholders to effectively engage with operators and other stakeholders of nearby port or rail facilities. This preparation is intended to help communities influence decision-making on operations and projects that may impact diesel engine emissions and related air quality.

• The Elizabeth Clean Air Project: A Community Collaboration to Reduce Particulate Matter from Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal - Elizabeth, NJ
• Newark Communities for a Healthy Port Project - Newark, NJ
• Democratizing Data for Clean Water and Clean Air Project - Cincinnati, OH
• Environmental Justice for Frontline Communities at the 3rd Busiest Port in North America Project - Detroit, MI
• Supporting Near-Port Communities in Addressing Harmful Air Quality Impacts Project - Salt Lake City, UT
• The Green House Collaboration Center (GHCC) 80216 Project - Denver, CO
• West Oakland Sustainable Port Collaborative: Accelerating the Port of Oakland’s Transition to Zero-Emissions Project - Oakland, CA

Applications Due February 25, 2022

Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) announced the availability of funds and soliciting applications from eligible entities to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA will award funds to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments.

Eligible entities include states (including the District of Columbia); local governments; U.S. territories and possessions; Indian tribes; public and private hospitals and laboratories; and other public or private nonprofit organizations. 

The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $20,000,000. Approximately $2 million dollars of this amount will be awarded to tribal governments under a tribal government set-aside, and approximately $2 million will be awarded to eligible community-based organizations under a community-based organization set-aside.

Overall, EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately 50-70 assistance agreements (cooperative agreements or grants) from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20-30 assistance agreements ranging in value from $25,000 to $100,000 and 30-40 assistance agreements ranging in value from $100,001-$500,000.

Funding Opportunity Information Session

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM (EST)

Participants will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by EPA in a public forum. The webinar will run from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST. Registration is not required.

• Join Information Session by Zoom

If you do not have access to the internet, you may join by phone at: 1-669-254-5252 (San Jose) or 1-646-828-7666 (NY); meeting ID: 161 328 3271

Cargo handling equipment (CHE) plays an important role in port operations, the economy, and air quality. The CHE sector encompasses a wide variety of equipment types such as yard tractors, forklifts, and cranes used for moving cargo around a port or other freight terminal, and on and off marine vessels, railcars, and trucks. This new page describes a number of best practices that port authorities, terminal operators, and other equipment operators can adopt to reduce port-related emissions from cargo handling equipment.

This best practices for CHE webpage highlights technical resources, tips on performance targets and data collection, and real-world examples for the following best practices.

Upgrading older equipment

Newer cargo handling equipment (CHE) pollutes significantly less than older models. Retiring older pieces of equipment or diesel engines and replacing them with newer models can play a major role in reducing air pollution at ports.

Optimizing loading/unloading time

Optimizing loading and unloading performed by CHE can increase port efficiency while reducing emissions. To help streamline cargo handling operations across a port, port operators can consider implementing a port management information system (PMIS) to electronically track and coordinate CHE use. 

For information on best practices for other port operations, go to Best Clean Air Practices for Port Operations.