The state Department of Transportation was selected for $59.2 million in federal grants to modernize Honolulu Harbor and work toward improving air quality in port areas.

What You Need To Know

  • The grants come via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act
  • The Hawaii Department of Transportation will receive $56.7 million to build a hydrogen fueling facility at Honolulu Harbor and purchase hydrogen-fueled tractors for use in the Sand Island Container Terminal
  • HDOT will also receive $2.5 million to work with communities situated near ports to develop strategies to improve air quality in the immediate areas.
  • The HDOT is among 55 applicants from 27 states that will share nearly $33 billion in grants via the Clean Ports Program

 

The grants come via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Honolulu Harbor is essential to the delivery of food, medicine, and other goods people rely on not only on Oahu, but across Hawaii,” said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono. “The investments in hydrogen-powered cargo tractors and a hydrogen fueling station will help the port operate more efficiently while decreasing carbon emissions and other pollution that affects surrounding communities.”

HDOT will receive $56.7 million to build a hydrogen fueling facility at Honolulu Harbor and purchase hydrogen-fueled tractors for use in the Sand Island Container Terminal.

“We are grateful for the support of the Biden Administration, the EPA and our congressional delegation for these awards, which will greatly enhance the state’s commitment to reduce emissions and enable us to continue to adapt our commercial harbor facilities for future impacts of climate change,” said Hawaii Director of Transportation Ed Sniffen. “These projects, especially the hydrogen vehicles, are the needed catalyst for transformational change across cargo operations in Honolulu Harbor.”

HDOT will also receive $2.5 million to work with communities situated near ports to develop strategies to improve air quality in the immediate areas.

The department will complete an air emissions inventory baseline study for ocean-going vessels, harbor craft and cargo handling equipment that operate in any of the state’s nine commercial ports. The federally funded study will also include recommendations for emissions reduction targets and strategies to reach the targets. This baseline will serve as the benchmark against which HDOT will measure progress in future years.

The HDOT is among 55 applicants from 27 states that will share nearly $33 billion in grants via the Clean Ports Program.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.