Provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the virginia port authority

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $391,705,250 Project Grant under the Clean Ports Program (CFDA 66.051) to the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). The purpose of this grant is to fund the replacement of 192 internal combustion engine cargo handling units at the Norfolk International Terminals and 23 units at the Richmond Marine Terminal with new battery-electric equipment, including 20 electric shuttle carriers, 80 electric utility tractor rigs, 8 electric reach stackers, and various electric forklifts, buses, and other equipment. The project also includes developing workforce training on electrical equipment and infrastructure, and conducting public education efforts. A subaward will be issued to Tidewater Community College to provide training and scholarships on electrical technology to support the deployment of electric vehicles and infrastructure at the Port of Virginia. The grant aims to reduce emissions of CO2, CO, NOx, and PM 2.5, improve health benefits for nearby communities, and enable the Port to continue its transition to zero-emission operations.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the virginia port authority. Specifically, the recipient will retire and scrap internal combustion engine units at the norfolk international terminals and richmond marine terminal and replace them with new battery-electric equipment. The equipment slated for purchase under this project includes zero-emissions (ZE) cargo handling equipment, electric vehicle supply equipment, and associated charging infrastructure. The project also includes developing workforce training on electrical equipment and infrastructure, and conducting public education efforts. Activities:the activities include retirement and scrappage of 192 internal combustion engine units at norfolk international terminals (NIT) and scrappage of 23 internal combustion engine units at richmond marine terminal (RMT) and forgoing the renewal of a lease for seven units of internal combustion engine equipment at RMT and replacement of all scrapped units with new battery-electric equipment. This project will allow the port to build upon the foundation to transition to a fully zero-emission operation and serve as a catalyst for transformational change across freight operations. The project will also support the development of electrical training in the region to promote local workforce development in the operation and maintenance of electric equipment and will provide a public education opportunity for project partners, port users, and the community. VPA has also committed to strengthening community ties and engagement efforts throughout the project period. Subrecipient:a subaward will be issued to tidewater community college to develop training on electrical equipment and infrastructure for the existing and future workforce and to provide scholarships to individuals from local and underserved communities in electrical technology to support the deployment of electrical vehicles and infrastructure at the port of virginia.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the replacement of diesel cargo handling equipment with battery electric equipment, including 20 electric shuttle carriers; 80 electric utility tractor rigs; 8 electric reach stackers; 23 electric buses; 35 light, 14 medium, and 3 heavy electric forklifts; 3 electric rail pushers; and 5 electric rail grunts at norfolk international terminals and 12 electric utility tractor rigs; 8 electric top loaders; 5 light, 2 medium, and 1 heavy electric forklifts; 1 electric rail pusher; and 2 electric mobile harbor cranes at richmond international terminals. Additional charging and electrical infrastructure to allow for the charging of equipment will also be purchased. The project will also involve regular community engagement through the publication of a quarterly community newsletter and attendance at meetings or local events and also includes funding to develop training on electrical equipment and infrastructure for the existing and future workforce. The expected outcomes include the reduction of CO2, CO, NOX, and PM 2.5 emissions, as well as improved health benefits for nearby communities and improved working conditions for fleet maintenance workers and port staff due to the reduction of ambient air pollutants. The project will also enable the port of virginia to continue its transition of alternate clean equipment throughout the port's facilities and will support the development of electrical training in the region to promote local workforce development in the operation and maintenance of electric equipment. Near-port communities will also be engaged throughout the life of the project and will be provided with opportunities to share input on port projects and plans. The intended beneficiaries include the virginia port authority (grantee), dominion energy (project partner), who will provide power to the electric equipment at the port of virginia, and the tidewater community college (project partner), WH