The Port of Oakland and a coalition of 20 partners have applied for a federal grant to fast-track the Oakland Seaport’s conversion to 100 per cent zero-emissions cargo handling operations.
The port and its clean energy partners seek a $417 million grant through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Ports Program: Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition.
The port’s proposal is called “Community Led, Business Supported, Proven and Ready to Go! Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions”. The project is expected to advance industry and community goals to transition to zero-emissions operations and strengthen longstanding relationships to meet shared goals.
The port is working closely with 20 community-based organisations, workforce development organisations, marine terminals, port users, and industry leaders on the proposal. This will reportedly support emissions reductions and climate adaptation initiatives that will benefit the region’s industry-impacted communities in East and West Oakland while advancing a community-verified and air district-supported, air-monitoring system to measure project effectiveness and outcomes.
The port proposes a project cost of up to $586 million, to include the replacement of approximately 762 pieces of equipment with zero-emissions (ZE) equipment (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell) including:
- 482 drayage trucks
- 179-yard tractors
- 61 forklifts
- 33 front-end loaders
- Five reach stackers
- One rail car mover
- 253 charging stations
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Another major component of the proposal will be partnering with three local workforce development organisations to support green skills and train drivers on how to operate and maintain the newest zero-emissions equipment and vehicles and supporting infrastructure.
In addition, the project includes a Truck Loaner Program which will provide zero-emissions trucks to independent owner-operators and fleets operating in disadvantaged communities, at no or low cost to the trucker.
“We thank our clean energy partners for a community-driven, historic and transformative grant application which will help us achieve our clean air goals faster,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director, Danny Wan.
“Our local Oakland community helped select key project components such as zero-emissions container handling equipment, cleaner drayage trucks and comprehensive air quality monitoring to achieve the port’s zero emissions goals.”
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“This project would be truly transformative for the communities living in West and East Oakland,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
“I applaud the coalition of partners for putting forward this application to transition nearly 100 per cent of all the cargo handling equipment at the port to zero emissions technology. The EPA has an opportunity to be a major transformational force in the lives of residents in Oakland and in the maritime industry as a whole.”
Earlier this year, the Port of Oakland announced the appointment of Diego González as Government Affairs Manager.
