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BUILDING A GREENER LA: Mayor Bass Secures Largest-Ever Single Federal Investment for Port of Los Angeles Environmental Efforts
11/03/2024
[ Article originally appeared in https://mayor.lacity.gov ]
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today announced $412 million in secured federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Ports Program, which will support efforts to reduce emissions and create a new community-led zero-emission grant program. This is the single largest funding amount that the Port of Los Angeles has ever received. Coupled with the $500 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded by the EPA to reduce pollution related to goods movement in Southern California, Mayor Bass has now helped secure nearly $1 billion in funding to reduce pollution in port communities. “Thank you, Administrator Regan, for your support of our vision of a zero-emission future,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “With this funding, the nation's busiest port will be able to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Together, in partnership with the federal government, industry, labor, and environmental justice groups, we are building a greener and healthier Los Angeles. L.A. will continue to lead on innovative infrastructure and sustainability.” This announcement follows active advocacy by Mayor Bass and the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability. In March of this year, Mayor Bass hosted Administrator Regan in San Pedro and highlighted future investment opportunities to support the Port and Los Angeles. The Administrator has visited Los Angeles twice this year, signaling strong federal support for efforts to build a greener Los Angeles. “Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities. “Reducing harmful emissions through more sustainable Port operations has long been a priority for the Port of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard. “As we work toward our goal of a zero-emissions future, we are deeply grateful to the EPA for their support in helping us accelerate many of our industry leading zero-emission initiatives.” “This one-in-a-generation investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change, while accelerating the port-industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This successful application is the culmination of a deep partnership with environmental justice groups, labor, the private sector, and stakeholders at all levels of government, and we’ll continue to work with our fence-line communities to ensure this investment delivers benefits in their neighborhoods. We thank the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration for their unprecedented support of our ambition and look forward to delivering on our commitment of cleaner air for future generations.” “The San Pedro Bay ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment of over $400 million in the Port of Los Angeles is a monumental step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air and protect public health in Southern California communities while building toward our essential zero-emission goals.” “This grant is a game-changer for the Port of LA and our port communities,” said U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán. “Today’s funding announcement is the direct result of a five-year effort by my office to work with labor, environmental justice groups, industry, and ports, to secure billions of dollars to clean up ports across the country. It will help the Port of LA and ports across the country transition to zero-emission, human operated equipment. This investment will significantly reduce pollution from ports and help our nearby port communities breathe cleaner air.” "With this federal investment, we're taking a huge, transformative step toward a cleaner, healthier future for the residents of the Harbor area,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. The communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles have been on the frontlines of pollution for far too long, and this funding brings resources to drive us toward a future where our goals of a zero-emission Port are attainable. This vital support not only advances our environmental goals but should also protect, strengthen, and sustain the good jobs at the Port. Together, we will demand both environmental justice and the protection of good jobs as we prioritize investments that bring the greatest benefits to our surrounding neighborhoods." How Los Angeles Will Benefit: In support of its goal to achieve 100% zero-emission terminal operations by 2030, this funding will enable the Port to purchase zero-emission yard tractors, drayage trucks, top handlers, heavy forklifts, battery electric storage systems, chargers, and more.
The grant will also set a new standard for environmental stewardship in the maritime industry by directly funding an innovative, community-led $50 million ZE grant program in partnership with the Harbor Community Benefits Foundation, prioritizing investments that benefit frontline, disadvantaged areas. Investments will be identified through a community-led outreach and selection process that prioritizes projects having the greatest emission reductions and impact on neighborhoods surrounding the Port. Back To News |
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