This story was reported and written by our media partner the Virginia Mercury.
The Virginia Port Authority will receive $380 million in federal funding to purchase new zero-emission cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure.
According to members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, the funding was provided through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports grant program, stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, designed to address and support environmental issues and climate goals nationwide, and achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.
As part of the Port’s sustainability efforts, officials said that the grant money will be used to buy and install electric assets and equipment as legacy equipment powered by gasoline or diesel fuel engines is retired.
The Port will replace several pieces of equipment including specialized cranes for all rail operations, shuttle carriers for moving containers, electric locomotives, on-terminal trucks and shuttle buses to move people to and from work areas.
“This grant is truly transformative for our port and our community,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority in a statement. “It will make our operations more efficient and sustainable, enhance our capabilities and allow us to continue making strides toward becoming the U.S. East Coast’s first net-zero port.”
He added that the Port’s approach to sustainability and efficiency aims to advance opportunities for its workforce and reduce pollution in communities that host its terminals, in the state’s Tidewater region.
“We are building the U.S. East Coast’s most modern gateway and this is accelerating economic development and workforce enrichment to ensure that Virginia is not just prepared for, but ahead of the future,” Edwards said.
According to the EPA, the Port of Virginia was one of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories, receiving a total of $3 billion.
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, who said she voted for the Reduction Act to “help build a stronger future for the next generation of Americans,” said in a statement that the investment will help grow the commonwealth’s economy and support the nation’s economic competitiveness.
“Now, I’m proud to see these federal investments coming home to Virginia,” Spanberger said.
Congressman Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, and Democrat Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, all of whom supported the Act, echoed similar sentiments and stressed that the Port is “critical” to Virginia’s economy and offshore wind industry.
“As the Port of Virginia continues to grow thanks to investments we’re making, we must also ensure we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which result in negative health and environmental impacts for our communities,” the lawmakers said in a statement. The funds for the Port will “further cement Virginia’s place as a leader in clean energy,” they wrote.
