A total of $26.5 million was awarded to 11 Washington ports to electrify their operations, including one in Clallam County, state transportation officials announced Aug. 21. The projects are …
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A total of $26.5 million was awarded to 11 Washington ports to electrify their operations, including one in Clallam County, state transportation officials announced Aug. 21. The projects are estimated to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 140,000 metric tons over the next 10 years.
This year’s awards are a first, with the Port Electrification Grant Program created by the state legislature in 2023 and funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The competitive grant program was open to all 75 public ports in the state. It is part of a larger program to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, which researchers identified as the largest contributor to pollution in the state.
The grant funding this year targets projects primarily focused on two types of activities: constructing shore power that allows clean electrical power use while at dock rather than onboard combustion engines for ship operations and installation of electric vehicle chargers and purchasing electric vehicles, including trucks to move cargo to and from ships at port facilities.
State officials say port electrifications such as these should improve air quality in and around port areas.
“This program helps ports switch from using fossil fuels, creates a better work environment for port staff and ensures nearby neighborhoods are healthier places to live,” said Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight and Ports Division.
Grant awards were presented to the following ports: Northwest Seaport Alliance ($2.6 million for shore power planning), Port of Anacortes ($1.03 million for shore power and zero emission equipment), Port of Bellingham ($2.8 million for shore power), Port of Benton ($ 2.7 million for shore power), Port of Edmonds ($1.5 million for shore power), Port of Everett ($4.3 million for shore power, electric trucks and cleaner generators), Port of Friday Harbor ($7 million for shore power and electric trucks), Port of Kalama ($1.4 million for an electric boat dock), Port of Port Angeles ($525,408 for shore power and electric cargo equipment), Port of Ridgefield ($1.2 million for electric vehicle chargers), Port of Seattle ($1 million for shore power).
