New investment will support the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s efforts to transition to more energy efficient equipment and operations
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2), and Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) announced that Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PhilaPort) is receiving a total of $79,650,965 in federal funding to plan and implement projects that will transition the port’s operations to zero-emissions equipment. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.
“This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act will allow PhilaPort to bring down its energy costs and improve air quality in surrounding communities while incorporating the technology of the future into its operations,” said Senator Casey. “I will always fight to improve our shipping hubs to ensure that the Commonwealth’s waterways boost economic growth and create and sustain good jobs.”
“The nearly $80 million investment in PhilaPort is a transformative step toward a more efficient future for Philadelphia. Moving to zero-emission technology will help make our port cleaner and healthier for the community while boosting the local economy and creating good paying jobs. This is what the Inflation Reduction Act is all about—making big investments that keep Pennsylvania competitive and sustainable,” said Senator Fetterman.
“The Port of Philadelphia is a critical driver of good-paying jobs for our region and a vital gateway for goods and passengers across the country," said Representative Scanlon. "I’m so pleased to see funding from the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda continue to flow into our region, helping clean up pollution at our ports and improving air quality and public health in neighboring communities.”
“This funding, which I proudly supported as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, will enable PhilaPort to adopt cutting-edge technology that reduces carbon emissions and could help expand the port’s operations,” said Congressman Brendan F. Boyle. “Philadelphia’s ports are vital to our communities, providing jobs and positioning our city as a key hub of commerce. This investment not only supports the hardworking port workers who drive our economy but also ensures that PhilaPort can continue serving the nation sustainably for years to come.”
“I was proud to vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark clean-energy and health-care law, and this more than $79 million in federal funding for our area is just the latest way it’s benefiting Philadelphia and the region,” said Representative Evans.
The Clean Ports Program funding will support two PhilaPort projects. $77.6 million will help Philaport deploy electric cargo handling equipment, install new charging infrastructure, and upgrade existing electrical infrastructure. An additional $2 million will support planning operations to better understand the port’s current emissions levels, identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved, and engage the surrounding community about the process of transitioning to zero-emission operations.
The announcement comes just a month after the members secured $217 million for PhilaPort to expand the operational capacity of the SouthPort terminal.
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