October 29, 2024
Chicago – The Environmental Law & Policy Center welcomes the U.S. EPA’s announcement today of awards to ports across the Great Lakes and Midwest region through the agency’s Clean Ports Program, totaling nearly $3 billion in investments nationwide. Ports are important hubs of economic activity but are also significant sources of harmful air pollution. Often, the health impacts of soot and other air pollution fall disproportionately on low-income and environmental justice communities nearest to ports or along the highways associated with the movement of goods.
“ELPC is pleased that a number of key Midwest/Great Lakes ports will now undertake plans to reduce air pollution from their important freight activities. Transitioning to zero-emission cargo handling equipment, medium and heavy-duty trucks, and cleaner locomotives will improve the health of people living in nearby neighborhoods currently suffering from poor air quality.
“These Inflation Reduction Act EPA Clean Ports Program investments will help frontline communities that face chronic exposure to toxic exhaust to benefit from new workforce opportunities building towards a zero-emission freight future.
“We are especially glad to see ports in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and along the Ohio River eager and now supported in moving to cleaner operations.”