The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new report titled, “Assessment of Fuel Cell Technologies at Ports”. This report assesses the potential for fuel cell technologies to replace diesel engines across a variety of port applications and thus significantly reduce diesel emissions. The report characterizes fuel cell systems, their history, and their potential utilization at ports and compares their emissions, cost, maintenance, and other features to traditional diesel applications. The report can be read in its entirety on our webpage.

Key findings from the assessment include:

• Fuel cell technology promises significant advantages over current diesel-fueled port equipment for a broad array of port applications, including lower criteria pollutant, greenhouse gas, and noise emissions; higher energy efficiency and lower petroleum use; diverse fueling capability; and potentially lower maintenance requirements.
• Fuel cell technologies are commercially available for forklifts and stationary power applications at ports, and are under development for drayage trucks, yard tractors, cargo handlers (top loaders), switcher locomotives, and marine vessels such as harbor craft.
• In most cases, fuel cell equipment in port applications achieve significant lifecycle emission reductions for both air pollutants and greenhouse gases, however emissions benefits vary depending on how the hydrogen is produced and transported.
• Due to its early stage of development, higher hydrogen fuel prices, lower volume production, and current delivery options, port fuel cell equipment currently costs more to operate relative to comparable diesel-fueled equipment but costs are expected to decrease over time.

Including Zero Emissions Activities

The EPA Ports Initiative’s Clean Air Practices at Ports Interactive Map has been updated to include 5 new ports and expanded information about emissions reduction activities, including zero emissions activities at ports. The tool was first launched in March 2021 and brings together publicly available information about activities and milestones from the busiest cargo ports in the country, including emissions inventories, emissions reduction targets, DERA projects, community engagement activities, and other key practices featured on the Best Port-Wide Planning Practices to Improve Air Quality webpage. 

EPA’s webinar on “Electrifying America’s Ports” took place on May 23^rd and was jointly hosted by EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs and Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The webinar covered port electrification strategies and highlighted demonstration projects across the U.S. The EPA gave an overview of the Ports Initiative and highlighted technical resources and funding opportunities to support electrification. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) provided an overview of commercially available zero-emission port equipment and highlighted lessons learned from various projects. The South Carolina Ports Authority discussed its air quality initiatives and Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants, including coordination with trucking companies to deploy all-electric class 8 trucks in and around port terminals. The Port of Tacoma presented lessons from DERA shore power and electric yard hostler projects and plans to deliver infrastructure upgrades at all its port facilities. Lastly, Tacoma Power provided recommendations and best practices for improving how utilities and ports work together to support and plan decarbonization efforts.

Follow the below links to access the presentation slides and to watch the recording.

Presentation Slides: Electrifying America’s Ports

Webinar Recording: Electrifying America’s Ports

$249.5 Million in Funding Available

The Biden Administration is announcing historic levels of funding to improve and expand ferry service in communities across the country, as well as accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation. Ferries help people get to work, see friends and family, and explore in communities across the United States. Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making available nearly $300 million through three competitive grant programs that boost access to rural ferry service, bolster existing and new urban service, and lower emissions across all services by speeding adoption of zero emission ferry technologies.

The three grant programs, available through a combined Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), include:

• FTA's Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, a new program that provides competitive funding to states to ensure basic essential ferry service is provided to rural areas. For Fiscal Year 2022, $209 million is available.

• FTA's Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, a new program that provides competitive funding for electric or low-emitting ferries and associated infrastructure that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems. For Fiscal Year 2022, $49 million is available.

• FTA's Passenger Ferry Grant Program, which funds capital projects that support existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment in urbanized areas. For Fiscal Year 2022, $36.5 million is available and of that, $3.25 million is set aside to support low or zero-emission ferries.

Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on FTA's website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2022-006-TPM-FERRY, FTA-2022-007-TPM-FERRYPILOT and FTA-2022-008-TPM-FERRYRURAL).

Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by September 6, 2022.

$125 Million in Funding Available

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) opens the second round of its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), providing point-of-sale discounts on off-road zero-emission equipment. The project is administered by CALSTART and has $125M in funding available. Originally only for freight, in 2022, CORE is expanding to include funding for the commercial harbor craft, agriculture, and construction sectors. There is no scrappage requirement for this program, and additional funding is available for charging and fueling infrastructure and for equipment deployed in disadvantaged communities. Examples of qualified purchase categories include large forklifts and cargo-handling equipment, railcar movers and switcher locomotives, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and commercial harbor craft. Learn more about the funding opportunity by visiting the California CORE webpage.

The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management association held a webinar earlier this year, discussing several topics including building an air monitoring network, identifying pollution with low-cost sensors, and engaging environmental-justice communities. The webinar was held on March 2nd, 2022 and a recording of the event is now available.

             Follow the below link to view the recorded webinar.

             Webinar Recording: Community Air Monitoring Webinar