Green: Taxpayers' $3B supplying Clean Ports Program

The Biden administration’s choice for zero-emissions operations in America’s ports was boosted Wednesday with the opening of applications for $3 billion from taxpayers in the Clean Ports Program.

Equipment and infrastructure needs can be met that “reduce mobile source emissions at U.S. ports,” a release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says. EPA Administrator Michael Regan was in Wilmington, N.C., alongside Gov. Roy Cooper, whose administration he previously worked in, to make the announcement.

Federal taxpayers dollars are coming from the $891 million Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Applications to the Clean Ports Program are open through May 28.

“Today’s historic funding announcement reflects President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in creating globally competitive solutions of the future,” Regan said. “Today we’re making $3 billion available to install cleaner and more efficient technologies while cutting air pollution to protect the people who work at and live near ports.”

Last spring, the North Carolina Ports’ container terminal at the Port of Wilmington was named No. 1 in the country by the Container Port Performance Index. That means analysis for the calendar year 2022 named it most productive. It ranks No. 44 in the world, according to the technical report produced by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.