With a federal grant announced in late October, authorized through the House Appropriations Committee, area Congressman Josh Harder (CA-9) said the $110,469,349 grant for the Port of Stockton is designed to improve air quality and upgrade to zero-emission infrastructure. Harder is a member of the committee and noted that this historic investment in the Port of Stockton as part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program is the single largest federal investment in the Port’s history.

The investment allows the Port of Stockton to create the Northern California Zero-Emission Freight Hub, making it the country’s first small port with zero-emission terminal operations. This funding will enable the Port of Stockton to transition 90 percent of its cargo handling equipment to zero-emission vehicles, drastically reducing freight emissions with sustainable power from solar and battery storage systems. These advancements will directly improve air quality and public health for San Joaquin County, setting a new standard for clean, efficient port operations.

This federal investment in the Port of Stockton will fund:

Electric cargo handling equipment like forklifts, cranes, terminal tractors, and a mobile railcar indexer;

Vessel shore power and charging infrastructure, solar generation, and a battery energy storage system; and

Training for existing workers to deploy, operate, and maintain zero-emission (ZE) equipment and infrastructure.

“This is an incredible win for Stockton and a down payment for our community’s economic future. The Port of Stockton will make history with this investment – we will be the country’s first small port with zero-emission terminals. This means jobs, cutting-edge technology, and better air quality for our kids,” said Rep. Harder. “We worked incredibly hard to get this done, and I look forward to working with the Port to make sure they keep getting the support they need to be a world-class economic engine for our region.”

Port officials expressed gratitude to Harder for his support of the EPA Clean Ports Initiative.

“These funds will significantly decrease freight-related emissions in the Central Valley by transitioning more than 90 percent of our cargo-handling equipment to Zero Emissions. We have been working hard over the past few years to reduce emissions and replace diesel powered cargo handling equipment with Zero Emission technology, and thanks in part to Congressman Harder’s advocacy and leadership, this grant will provide a significant boost to our cause,” said Stockton Port Director Kirk DeJesus. “We look forward to leveraging this support to further our advancements in zero-emission equipment and foster a more sustainable future for all.”

Also pleased with the federal funding announcement was EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.

“While ports of course serve an essential role for moving goods, the costs that they bring in terms of pollution and impacts on overburdened communities must be confronted,” said Guzman. “Replacing diesel-powered port and freight equipment with clean, zero-emission technologies will reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes in nearby communities, and advance the campaign to tackle climate change.”