Provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the maryland port administration (MPA)

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) was awarded a $1,974,660 Project Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Ports Program (CFDA 66.051) to develop an updated emissions inventory, conduct an alternative energy analysis and emissions reduction strategy plan, perform a workforce analysis, and develop a comprehensive community engagement plan.

The key activities under this grant include:

• Engaging port workers and nearby communities on climate and air quality planning efforts
• Updating the port's emissions inventory
• Analyzing alternative energy technologies and developing an emissions reduction strategy plan
• Identifying and implementing air quality improvement projects, including climate change impact reduction measures
• Soliciting community feedback related to the impacts of a key bridge collapse

The grant will support MPA's efforts to improve air quality and reduce emissions at the Port of Baltimore through strategic planning, community engagement, and workforce development. The project period runs from February 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027.

Description

The purpose of this award is to provide funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the maryland port administration (MPA). Specifically, the recipient will develop an updated and expanded emissions inventory, an alternative energy analysis with emissions reduction strategy plan, a workforce analysis and develop a comprehensive community engagement plan. Activities:the activities include: community engagement activities to ensure meaningful participation with respect to the project's design, planning, and performance; engaging port workers on climate and air quality planning activities; updating emissions inventory; alternative technology analysis and strategic implementation plan; publishing results of climate and air quality activities for project activities awareness; air quality improvement project identification and implementation, including climate change impact reduction to communities; and, solicitation of community feedback related to key bridge collapse community impacts. Subrecipient:pnnl to perform emissions reduction strategy analysis (renewable and clean energy assessments, energy efficiency evaluation, energy infrastructure resiliency analysis, and evaluation of port energy transition options) pnnl to develop emissions reduction target, through microgrid analysis and preliminary design, evaluate potential levers (policy, regional, outreach) pnnl to develop plan for reducing future port emissions pnnl project management for emissions analysis, target, and reduction plan implementation workforce development analysis (MD labor)outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: a comprehensive outreach plan; number of participating local labor union chapters involved in discussions of operational changes regarding air quality improvement implementation; emissions per ton of cargo and from vehicles; air quality of near-port communities and EJ communities; potential to use smart building programs, heat pumps, fuel cells, passive lighting and solar; identification of microgrid utilization opportunities; identification of hydrogen best practices and implementation at MPA terminals; MPA will update their air emissions inventory and annual report of environmental activity at the port, to be published on the port website; continued involvement in the interagency voluntary air agreement with MDOT, maryland energy administration (MEA) and MDE; and, feedback in the survey, to help the port identify new impacts related to the key bridge collapse and to assist the community where possible. The expected outcomes include: establishment of forums to engage nearby communities, and increased capacity for port staff to consider and incorporate community perspectives in decision-making; community priorities for air quality improvements and high paying job accessibility; workers will better understand how their roles may evolve with air quality planning an dhow their perspectives will be incorporated into decision-making; the inventory will provide comprehensive emission baseline data; reductions in greenhouse gas and criteria air pollution emissions; improvement of environmental burdens; increased education, transparency, and accountability of emissions reduction; increased stakeholder participation in port planning and decision-making; and, increased awareness of how the key bridge collapse is affecting port-adjacent communities. The intended beneficiaries include communities in the city of baltimore, baltimore county, anne arundel county, and surrounding areas.