Clean Ports Program

Section 60102 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (or IRA) amended the Clean Air Act by inserting section 133 (42 U.S.C. 7433) to authorize the EPA’s Clean Ports Program (or Grants to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports) to award grants to purchase or install zero-emission port equipment and supporting infrastructure, serving one or more ports, and for emission reduction planning activities. Congress appropriated $3 billion for the program, $750 million of which must be spent on projects taking places at ports located in air quality areas designated pursuant to section 107 as nonattainment for an air pollutant. The EPA’s objectives for the Clean Ports Program are to: (1) reduce air pollution in near-port communities; (2) build a foundation for the port sector to make progress in reducing air pollution from operations; and (3) help ensure that meaningful stakeholder engagement and emissions reduction planning become a part of port industry standard practices.

Per the statute, the following entities are eligible to apply directly to the Clean Ports Program: port authorities; state, regional, local, or Tribal agencies that have jurisdiction over a port authority or a port; and air pollution control agencies. Private entities that own, operate, or use the facilities, cargo-handling equipment, transportation equipment, or related technology of a port may apply if they partner with one or more of the eligible entities.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.