This action approves an award in the amount of $1,854,783.00 to mississippi state port authority at gulfport, mississippi under inflation reduction act

This $1,854,783.00 Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Clean Ports Program (CFDA 66.051) supports the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport in conducting emissions inventory and reduction activities, community engagement efforts, and workforce development initiatives. Key deliverables include: developing a detailed emissions inventory, implementing an emissions reduction strategy and zero-emission technology roadmap, conducting community meetings and workshops, and establishing a workforce training program. The grant aims to improve understanding of port emission sources, decrease emissions, enhance air quality and community health, increase community participation in port planning, and develop sustainability workforce skills. The award period is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

The recipient will conduct emissions inventory and accounting exercises; analyze emissions-reduction strategies; engage with port stakeholders; and conduct resilience planning.activities:the activities include completing an updated emissions inventory, implementing an emissions reduction strategy that includes preparing a zero-emission technology implementation roadmap, engaging near-port communities, and facilitating a workforce development program to address identified gaps in skills. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include developing a detailed emissions inventory of all port activities, preparing and implementing a strategic plan for emission reduction actions, implementing a community engagement strategy that includes a series of community meetings and workshops, and establishing a workforce training program for the port and associated industry workers. The expected outcomes include improved and updated understanding of port emission sources, a decrease in emissions from port-activities, improved air quality and community health benefits, increased community and stakeholder participation in port planning and decision-making, and an increase in sustainability workforce development skills. The intended beneficiaries include the mississippi state port authority (GRANTEE); TTI (PARTNER), which will assist with the emissions inventory and accounting; mississippi gulf coast community college (PARTNER), which will conduct community engagement and education efforts; local technical and vocational schools (PARTNER), which will conduct workforce planning; various port industry stakeholders who will provide logistical support; and mississippi department of environmental quality (PARTNER), which will provide regulatory oversight.