Expanded list of eligible projects includes measures to reduce diesel pollution

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced nearly $450 million in newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) —by far the largest ever investment in the program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also expanded the list of eligible projects to explicitly include projects that reduce or eliminate port-related criteria pollutant or greenhouse gas emissions such as:

• port electrification or electrification master planning
• harbor craft or equipment replacements or retrofits
• development of port or terminal microgrids
• provision of idling reduction infrastructure
• purchase of cargo handling equipment and related infrastructure
• worker training to support electrification technology
• installation of port bunkering facilities from ocean-going vessels for fuels
• electric vehicle charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure for drayage and medium or heavy-duty trucks and locomotives that service the port and related grid upgrades
• other related port activities, including charging infrastructure, electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, and anti-idling technologies

PIDP grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that will improve the movement of goods to, through and around ports. Furthermore, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls upon applicants to explore ways to include projects that will improve goods movement while also strengthening resilience, reducing emissions, and advancing environmental justice. 

Webinars on Funding Opportunity

MARAD will host a series of webinars explaining the PIDP grant application process. Details and registration information regarding these webinars will be made available here.

These webinars include the upcoming "How to Apply for a FY22 PIDP Grant" webcast on March 9, 2022 from 3:00PM - 5:00PM EST. 

The deadline to submit an application is May 16, 2022.

You may also email PIDPgrants@dot.gov for more information.

Open DOT infrastructure funding opportunities

There are two additional DOT funding opportunities currently open that can help support emission reductions at ports.

RAISE Program Grants – due on April 14, 2022

Notice of Funding Opportunity for RAISE

Webinars already recorded

$1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. The popular program helps communities around the country carry out infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity.

Marine Highway Program Grants – due on April 29, 2022

Notice of Funding Opportunity (see IIJA NOFO on this page)

$25 million in funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP), to make grants available to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support the development and expansion of documented vessels or port and landside infrastructure. The primary goal of the AMHP is to expand the use of the nation’s navigable waters to relieve landside congestion, reduce air emissions, and generate other public benefits by increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation system. There is a multi-step process to apply for these grants; applicants need to be on a designated route and have an approved project designation to be eligible to apply for these grants.

Forthcoming DOT infrastructure funding opportunities

DOT anticipates additional funding opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be available in 2022 including, but not limited to:



• Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program
• Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities
• Nationally Significant Freight & Highways Projects program, also known as Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)
• National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program (“Mega-projects”)
• See National Infrastructure Project Assistance: Publication of projection evaluation and selection criteria
• Rural Surface Transportation Grants

Action guided by President Biden’s ‘Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks’ Executive Order

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would significantly reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and set more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for certain commercial vehicle categories. This proposed rule would ensure heavy-duty vehicles and engines are as clean as possible while helping jump-start the transition to zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty fleet.

EPA last revised the NOx standards for on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines in 2001—more than 20 years ago. Although those standards achieved important NOx reductions, new technologies that are an evolution of those available today can help achieve the additional reductions we need to improve air quality and health in our communities. EPA intends to finalize this proposal before the end of 2022.



Consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order, “Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks,” the proposed action would reduce NOx emissions from trucks by as much as 60 percent in 2045. It would result in widespread air quality improvements across the United States, especially in areas already overburdened by air pollution and diesel emissions, such as communities around ports.

The proposed revisions to existing GHG standards for MY2027 and beyond would set more stringent GHG emissions standards for subsectors where electrification is advancing at a more rapid pace. These sectors include school buses, transit buses, commercial delivery trucks, and short-haul tractors such as those often used in drayage operations.

EPA invites comments from the public on all aspects of this proposed rulemaking. For more information on the proposed rule and the public comment process, including fact sheets and other materials, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/proposed-rule-and-related-materials-control-air-1.

Key Component in the Implementation of the Justice40 Initiative

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a beta version of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). This tool is a critical component of environmental justice commitments in Executive Order 14008, including the Justice40 Initiative, a commitment to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of Federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program – in combination with EPA’s Ports Initiative – is one of six EPA programs participating in the Justice40 pilot across the federal government.

The CEJST will help federal agencies identify disadvantaged communities to ensure that everyone is receiving the benefits intended from federal programs. The public is being asked to provide feedback on the tool through an online survey and other forums. For more information, see Request for Information in the Federal Register. 



CEQ is also hosting engagement opportunities to connect with the public about the current version of the tool. These sessions are an opportunity to obtain training on the tool or to provide feedback on the beta version of the tool. CEQ hopes that members of the public will join these engagements to learn about the tool, have their questions answered, and share feedback.