EPA Ports Initiative Newsletter

May 8, 2022 

Newsletter Items:

• Technical Request for Information (RFI) on Clean Ports and Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Programs open through June 5 
• Other Clean Ports Program Public Engagement
• Updated Shore Power Emissions Calculator
• Heavy-Duty Phase 3 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
• FHWA Port Truck Emissions Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
• Announcing EPA’s 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs)
• EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Update

EPA has announced a technical Request for Information (RFI) on zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles and port equipment to inform the development of the new Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Clean Ports Programs in the Inflation Reduction Act. EPA invites manufacturers, fleets, ports, municipalities, school districts, utilities, and other stakeholders with zero-emission technology experience or understanding to respond to this RFI by June 5, 2023.

This information will also help inform EPA, in discussions with other federal, state, and private sector stakeholders, to determine approaches to support different funding opportunities.

EPA is specifically requesting information on the following technologies:

1. Zero-emission class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., electric or fuel cell delivery trucks, refuse trucks, utility trucks, school buses, and day cab tractors)
2. Zero-emission port equipment (e.g., electric or fuel cell dray trucks, harbor craft, locomotives, and cargo handling equipment)
3. Associated charging and other fueling infrastructure

For each of these technologies, EPA is requesting information on:

• Availability including manufacturer production capacity.
• Performance including durability and maintenance requirements.
• Pricing including payback period and lifecycle costs relative to those operating on conventional fuels.
• Practical considerations for program design including project development best practices and workforce training needs.

Respondents are also requested to explain if equipment and components are currently manufactured in the United States or expect to be in the near future. Responses will help EPA understand the availability of U.S. manufactured equipment and components to better create targeted funding programs and address Build America Buy America requirements.

EPA requests responses to this technical RFI on or before June 5, 2023.

In addition to the current technical RFI, EPA is still collecting feedback on how to design the Clean Ports Program created through the Inflation Reduction Act. You are welcome to send written input to [email protected]. 

To view the recordings and slides from the November and December listening sessions for the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Ports Program, visit: Highlighted Past Events.

EPA is pleased to announce an update to its Shore Power Emissions Calculator. This calculator can be used to estimate how harmful air pollution from marine vessels could be reduced at U.S. ports through the use of shore power systems. The tool was last updated in 2022.

Under the latest update, the SPEC Version 2023 is substantially similar to Version 2022.a, with the noted exception that it relies on recently updated eGRID 2020 electricity power plant air pollutant emission factors.

On April 12, EPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Phase 3. Public comments to this NPRM are due by June 16^th, 2023.

In this NPRM, EPA proposes more stringent standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty (HD) vehicles beginning in model year (MY) 2027. Specifically, EPA is proposing stronger CO₂ standards for MY 2027 vehicles that go beyond the current Phase 2 standards as well as “Phase 3” standards that would begin to apply in MY 2028, with progressively lower standards each model year through 2032. 

As part of this action, EPA also is proposing to revise its regulations addressing preemption of state regulation of locomotives.

This proposal is the third and final step in EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan, which is complemented by the stronger NOx emissions standards finalized in December 2022 and the light- and medium-duty multipollutant vehicle proposed rule that would reduce emissions from Model Year 2027 and later commercial pickup trucks and vans.

Taken together, these three rulemaking actions provide the opportunity for EPA to establish comprehensive, multipollutant standards for the HD on-road sector in the near term and the long term, all while considering the significant potential for emission reductions and cost savings that ZEV technology can provide.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has opened applications for the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program, with an anticipated $160 million in award funding.

The funding will be awarded to projects that reduce emissions from idling trucks at our nation’s ports. Further, the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program will fund charging stations and electrical hookups for trucks alongside auxiliary electric power units that are used to provide power to the cab or sleeper berth while allowing the truck’s engine to be turned off and save fuel. These investments will save truck drivers time and money, help ports reduce congestion and emissions, and deliver better air quality for workers and communities alike. 

As part of the Justice40 Initiative, the FHWA seeks to fund projects that reduce truck emissions in communities adjacent to ports, which disproportionately bear the negative environmental impacts. Port facilities, port workers, and surrounding neighborhoods often experience poor air quality due to significant truck congestion and idling both inside and outside the port facility. Additionally, this Program complements the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

Eligible project activities include:

• Development of port-related infrastructure to reduce emissions from port-related truck idling;
• On-truck technologies that reduce emissions from port-related truck idling; 
• The use of zero or low emissions powertrains or fuels on trucks;
• Reducing truck congestion within or adjacent to ports, including through enhanced intermodal rail connections; and
• Reducing port-related emissions from idling trucks, including through port electrification and improving the efficiency of port operations.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), closes on June 26, 2023. For additional information, see this fact sheet.

FHWA is hosting an information webinar on the new Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program on May 18 at 1pm ET. 

Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)

EPA has announced 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) that will receive $177 million to help underserved and overburdened communities across the country.

Each of the technical assistance centers will receive at least $10 million to remove barriers and improve accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns. These centers will provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, writing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. In addition, these centers will provide guidance on community engagement, meeting facilitation, and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, thus removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns. Each of the technical assistance centers will also create and manage communication channels to ensure all communities have direct access to resources and information.

On April 19, EPA released the framework for the implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. EPA will hold three complementary grant competitions to invest $27 billion, putting public and private capital to work in communities combatting climate change. 

For more information on resources and best practices to address diesel emissions at ports, please visit EPA's Ports Initiative website.