The Port of New York and New Jersey will implement a Comprehensive Clean Air Strategy with grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, totaling $9.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively.


With $7 million in federal funds, the port will jumpstart a $28 million program to help truck owners serving the port to replace pre-1994 trucks with cleaner burning vehicles. The other $21 million will come from an incentive fund from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

This funding will allow 636 older trucks to be replaced with newer ones, with the hope of reducing emissions by about 118 tons of nitrogen oxide, 14 tons of particulate matter, and 1,675 tons of greenhouse gases per year. These older trucks account for about 16 percent of the vehicles that frequent the port, contributing to 33 percent of the particulate matter, 14 percent of the nitrogen oxide and 10 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions each year.

"These grants will help us make targeted investments in port infrastructure while remaining good environmental stewards," said Anthony Coscia, Port Authority chairman. "Along with our partners in developing the Clean Air Strategy, we're committed to making sure that the billions of dollars in cargo coming through our port each year is moved efficiently and sustainably."

The additional $2.8 million from the EPA will go toward installing a shore power system at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, making it the first East Coast facility to provide shore power for docked vessels. The grant from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority will retrofit two diesel switcher locomotive engines with ultra-low emitting locomotive technology.

"These programs represent the first of many in our comprehensive approach to improving air quality at the port," said Susan Bass Levin, deputy executive director. "We are extremely happy to have the support of the EPA and NJTPA and will continue to work with our local and regional industry and government partners in the pursuit of truly sustainable facilities."