DOT to spend $148 million to reduce truck idling and emissions at U.S. ports

Federal officials announced nearly $150 million in funding to reduce pollution from idling trucks at U.S. ports.

The Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program will provide $148 million in grants to 11 states and Puerto Rico for projects to reduce emissions from idling trucks at ports, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Some of the projects will support replacing diesel-powered trucks with zero-emission trucks as well as building truck charging infrastructure, but others will focus on improving efficiencies at ports so that truckers don’t spend so long waiting and idling.

Officials say that the funding will result in improved air quality for truck drivers, port workers, and communities near ports.

See below for details from the FHWA on some of the planned projects:

• California is receiving $49.7 million for port improvements. The Ports of Long Beach, Oakland and Los Angeles will receive funding to replace diesel- and gas-powered trucks and shuttle buses with zero-emission technologies, electric trucks and EV chargers.
   
• Texas is receiving $26.9 million for improvements to the Port of Houston, including 30 new zero-emission, short-haul trucks and portable electric chargers for battery electric vehicle trucks to make zero-emission technology accessible and more affordable to owners and operators of small trucking fleets. It will also pay for the installation of new automated terminal operating systems to reduce truck idling times.
   
• Georgia is receiving $15.3 million toward improvements at the Port of Savannah, including to build large-scale charging project near the port, replace diesel-powered trucks, and expand the use of low-emission and zero-emission equipment.
   
• Florida is receiving $10 million for Talleyrand Marine Terminal in Jacksonville and the Port Everglades Terminal in Fort Lauderdale to replace diesel-powered trucks, while terminal improvements at the Seaboard Port of Miami will reduce truck idling time at the gates.
   
• Louisiana is receiving $7.1 million to purchase 14 new all-electric heavy-duty terminal trucks and five light-duty pickup trucks to replace diesel vehicles currently in use. Funding also will be used to upgrade electrical infrastructure and evaluate new emissions-reducing equipment.
   
• New Jersey is receiving $2.2 million to replace 20 diesel trucks with more efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles that run on clean, low-emitting propane fuel.

“When truckers spend hours idling at ports, it’s bad for drivers, bad for supply chains, and bad for nearby communities that feel the brunt of more polluted air,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The investments we are announcing today will save truck drivers time and money and help ports reduce congestion and emissions, while making the air more breathable for workers and communities.”

“The projects funded under this program will improve the quality of life for workers and families impacted by pollution from idling trucks while building a clean-energy economy that combats climate change and makes our communities more resilient,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Port-related trade is good for the economy — which is why we are pleased to announce this investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will make a real difference for people who live and work near ports.”