Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Announcement of Over $300 Million for Port of Oakland
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $322 million for the Port of Oakland to decarbonize Port activities by providing Port tenants and Port users the opportunity to transition to zero emission alternatives. This funding comes after Lee led a letter with her congressional colleagues to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in July pushing for the grant application to be approved.
This federal funding will advance the EPA Clean Ports Program’s mission of zero-emissions equipment at the Oakland Seaport and will help improve overall air quality at the Oakland Seaport and in neighboring communities. It is the largest-ever amount of federal funding for a Bay Area program aimed at cutting emissions from seaport cargo operations. The grant will finance 663 pieces of zero-emissions equipment which includes 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling equipment.
“The climate crisis demands that we act urgently and boldly to protect our communities,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This investment will protect Oakland from the damaging effects of fossil fuels and will move us faster toward a zero-emissions future. Further, this investment will improve air quality and reduces pollution in local communities by cutting emissions from diesel-heavy port operations. This brings us closer to an economy that provides good jobs while expanding environmental justice. I’d like to thank the Biden-Harris administration for their leadership and my colleagues in the Northern California Delegation in Congress for their work in helping secure this funding. It is critical that we continue to invest in zero-emissions operations, and I’m proud the Port of Oakland is leading the way.”
“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment of over $320 million in the Port of Oakland is a monumental step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re decarbonizing our supply chain to produce cleaner air and protect public health in neighboring communities while developing the next-generation East Bay workforce.”
As a result of this critical funding, emissions reductions and climate adaptation community initiatives will see actionable and measurable results for the surrounding communities in Oakland.
“I am thrilled to support the 'Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions Project,' which will not only strengthen the local workforce but also provide zero-emission transportation alternatives for everyone, especially the region’s most underserved communities. This new EPA funding for the Port of Oakland unlocks critical federal financing to meet the Bay Area's community priorities, reducing carbon emissions and supporting climate adaptation initiatives,” said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08). “As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, one of my top priorities in Congress is securing federal investments that promote economic and environmental justice for all Californians.”
“The EPA’s $322 million grant to support the ‘Transforming the Port of Oakland to Zero Emissions Project’ marks a huge step in our efforts to maintain the Port of Oakland as a key hub for goods movement and a sustainability leader for our region,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04). “I was glad to join Rep. Lee as she led Congressional support for the Port of Oakland’s application for this grant. This funding will help adapt Port operations in the face of climate change and I look forward to seeing the project’s community benefits, including improvements to our air quality and opportunities for local clean energy workforce development.”
“The Port of Oakland is vital to our local economy and it’s critical that we advance its goals to reduce emissions. Funding through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will support sustainability, make our air cleaner, and create good-paying jobs. I was proud to join Congresswoman Barbara Lee and my colleagues in supporting for this funding,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17).
“The Port of Oakland serves as both a critical hub for cargo entering North America and as a sustainability leader in the shipping industry. I’m proud to have joined Congresswoman Lee and other Bay Area members to support this Environmental Protection Agency funding to make the Port of Oakland even more sustainable with new, zero-emission equipment,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.
“Special thanks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee for always being a champion of the Port’s decarbonization efforts,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “These grant funds and our Clean Ports partnership with our customers and our community are transformative for the Port and the region—and will accelerate all of our zero emissions efforts currently underway.”
“The Clean Ports grant from the U.S. EPA is a major environmental victory,” said Port of Oakland Board President Michael Colbruno. “We are grateful to U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and the Bay Area congressional delegation who stood together in strong advocacy for this grant. This funding will go a long way toward decarbonizing the Oakland supply chain and providing environmental and economic benefits for the region.”