EPA administrator joins Mayor Saffo and Gov. Cooper to announce Clean Ports Program
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Mayor Bill Saffo joined Gov. Roy Cooper and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan in Wilmington for the announcement of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program.
The program includes $3 billion of federal money (from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act) to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, along with climate and air-quality planning at U.S. ports.
While the program looks at addressing diesel engines and freight hubs at ports across the country, it has a direct impact in Wilmington.
Saffo recognized the role that Wilmington plays in shipping and commerce while also acknowledging the responsibility that comes with it.
“Our strategic location at the mouth of the Cape Fear River makes Wilmington the point of connection between our region, our state, our nation and the rest of the world that is central to our identity as a community. It is also a responsibility that we take seriously,” he said.
“The importance, the growth and the vision for the Port of Wilmington’s future all reflect our shared commitment to high quality infrastructure and economic progress," Saffo added. "In Wilmington, we also place high value on our role as stewards of our environment and our natural resources. Our commitment to future generations is not only a strong and vibrant economy, but also one that respects and cares for the quality of our air, water and land."
More: As other Southeast ports get deeper, what's the status of Wilmington's expansion project?
According to Cooper, the investment will improve air quality at ports and surrounding communities, help combat climate change and support community engagement.
The Sierra Club echoed the need for the program, stating that diesel pollution contains more than 40 cancer-causing substances, linking it to asthma, heart disease and more.
The federal program has three objectives:
Build a foundation for the port sector to transition over time to fully zero-emissions operations, positioning ports to serve as a catalyst for transformation change across the freight sector.
Reduce diesel pollution in near-port communities, especially those with environmental justice concerns.
Help ensure that meaningful community engagement and emissions reduction planning are port industry standard practices.
“Our country’s ports feed our supply chains to put food on our tables, keep our businesses running and provide for our everyday needs,” the governor said. “We are deeply grateful to the Biden Administration for the investments that have helped fix our supply chain, rebuild our infrastructure, reduce pollution and create thousands of good paying clean energy jobs.”
The application for the program is open until May 28.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: The EPA's Clean Ports Program announced in Wilmington, NC
