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EPA Ports Initiative Vision
People living and working near ports across the country will breathe cleaner air and live better lives as a result of bold steps taken through a collaboration of industry, government and communities to improve environmental performance and increase economic prosperity.
January 2021 (Vol. 6, Ed. 2)
EPA Ports Initiative Newsletter

Featured News and Activities

This newsletter focuses on recent port industry news, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National grant funding opportunity, and the recent update of the best clean air practices webpages.  
Please add TalkAboutPorts@epa.gov to your address book and let us know your thoughts.  
dera
DERA National Grants 
Request for Applications (RFA) OPEN
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is excited to announce the availability of approximately $46 million in DERA grant funds to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines. Under this competition, between 40 and 70 awards are anticipated.

Through 2018, 152 DERA grants have been awarded to port-specific projects, totaling approximately $148 million. Priority for DERA grant funding is given to projects taking place at ports and other goods movement facilities. Additionally, priority is given to applicants and project partners that have or commit to developing the following sustainable practices to promote emissions reductions beyond the life of the project:
  • Policy or policies that promote and continue efforts to reduce diesel emissions; 
  • Baseline mobile source emission inventory; 
  • Publicly available plan to reduce mobile source emissions; and 
  • Clear point of contact for community issues and a documented policy or process to engage communities. 
For details of the Project Location, Project Sustainability and other evaluation criteria, go to the National Grants DERA Webpage.


Eligible Entities

Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities, with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.


Informational Webinars - 2021 DERA National RFA

Pre-registration is not required for the webinars.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021; 1:00-2:00 p.m. (ET)
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 863 530 573#

Wednesday, February 3, 2021; 3:00-4:00 p.m. (ET)
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 609 539 899#

Thursday, February 11, 2021; 2:00-3:00 p.m. (ET)
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 451 189 144#


For More Information
 best
EPA Updates Best Clean Air Practices for Port Operations Webpages
Port Authority port
Port-wide Planning Practices Can Improve Air Quality
Port-wide, Drayage Trucks, and Best Clean Air Practices Overview Webpages Updated

The updated Best Clean Air Practices for Port Operations webpages provide information on best practices at ports to reduce diesel pollution and associated health impacts. While the examples included in the updated webpages are not exhaustive, they are intended to highlight some of the more effective strategies that have been adopted by U.S. ports. The appropriateness and effectiveness of these strategies will vary for different ports based on many factors including type of operation, fleet makeup, local air quality and pollutant exposure, and community and port priorities.
 
The webpages include:
  • An overview of each best practice;
  • Related technical resources; 
  • Tips on collecting data and setting performance targets; and
  • Descriptions of real-world examples.

Best Port-wide Planning Practices Webpage

Port-wide planning helps to inform strategic clean air investments at ports. Practices included on this webpage include:
  • Developing an emissions inventory;
  • Enhancing community-port collaboration;
  • Developing a plan to reduce emissions; and
  • Applying for funding to implement clean air strategies.

Learn more on Port-wide Planning


 

Drayage Truck Best Practices Webpage

Drayage trucks are generally diesel-fueled, heavy-duty (Class 8) trucks that transport containers and bulk freight between the port and intermodal rail facilities, distribution centers, and other near-port locations. Practices included on this webpage include:
  • Decreasing the average age of the fleet;
  • Reducing idle and creep time;
  • Participating in the EPA SmartWay Program;
  • Considering complementary rail and marine operations; and
  • Designating truck routes that avoid at-risk populations.
Learn more on Drayage Trucks best practices
 coming
New Resources Coming Soon
Look for the following resources coming soon.

Additional updates to Best Clean Air Practices for Port Operations webpages, including: 
  • New information on best practices for reducing emissions from rail facilities, ocean-going vessels, cargo handling equipment, and harbor craft;
  • An interactive application highlighting key clean air practices at the nation's busiest ports.
San Pedro Bay Ports' Clean Air Action Plans 2006-2018: Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Factsheets on Port Operational Strategies:
  • Gate Management 
  • Port Management Information Systems 
  • Vessel Speed Reduction 
  • Virtual Vessel Arrival