Clean Ports Program: Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition

Background
The EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) is issuing this NOFO to announce the availability of funds and solicit applications from eligible entities to help ports nationwide transition to zero-emission (ZE) operations under the EPA’s Clean Ports Program. The Clean Ports Program will fund ZE port equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions at United States ports, delivering cleaner air for communities across the country. This new funding opportunity, made possible by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, builds on the EPA’s Ports Initiative, an ongoing program that helps our nation’s ports address public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities.

Grant Details
The program aims to fund ZE port equipment and infrastructure, including climate and air quality planning activities. Eligible project costs include the purchase and deployment of new eligible battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, vessels, powertrains, and other mobile equipment that directly serve a port. It also includes the purchase and installation of new or expanded electric charging and/or hydrogen fueling infrastructure serving eligible ZE port equipment purchased as part of the applicant’s grant award, as well as shore power infrastructure for marine vessels.
Additionally, eligible project costs include ZE technology deployment project support activities directly related to the implementation of an eligible ZE technology project. The EPA anticipates awarding up to $2.79 billion under this competition.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include port authorities, state, regional, local, or Tribal agencies with jurisdiction over a port authority or a port, air pollution control agencies, and private entities that apply for a grant in a Statutory Partnership with an eligible entity or own, operate, or use the facilities of a port.
Intertribal consortiums are also eligible if authorized by the governing bodies of those Tribes to apply for assistance under this program.

Period of Performance
The estimated period of performance for awards resulting from this solicitation will be up to four years with an estimated project start date of December 1, 2024.

Grant Value
The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is $2.79 billion. The EPA anticipates awarding 32 to 90 grants or cooperative agreements under this announcement.

Place of Performance
The grant will support projects at water ports nationwide with a minimum amount of funding for projects taking place at small water ports.