Posted on April 29, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has announced that Texas was awarded a $26.9 million grant for Port Houston’s new clean truck programme to help reduce air emissions.
Port Houston’s CLEANSTACS Programme (Catalyzing Lower Emissions with Alliances and New Systems in Trucking and Community Sustainability) was one of fewer than 20 projects selected nationwide.
The programme will reportedly help fund 30 new zero-emission (ZE) short-haul trucks, and portable electric chargers for battery electric vehicle trucks, to make zero-emission technology accessible and more affordable to owners and operators of small trucking fleets.
The funds will also pay for installing new automated terminal operating systems to help reduce truck idling times.
US Senator John Cornyn, Congressmembers Brian Babin, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvia Garcia, Al Green, Wesley Hunt, Lizzie Fletcher, Dan Crenshaw, and Colin Allred all wrote letters of support to advocate for project funding.
The Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant is a new programme funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in November of 2021.
Port Houston will use its portion of the grant to subsidise the replacement of existing drayage trucks with new ZE trucks, which can cost upwards of $400,000 – $500,000. Fleet owners are responsible for covering 20 per cent of the cost, and both electric and hydrogen fuel-cell trucks are eligible.
This project also includes a workforce training component, Port Houston is teaming up with a local community college to develop three mechanics training courses. These courses will equip both the current and future generations with the skills to work on new ZE fleets.
“Reducing emissions is great for our environment and our communities,” said Port Houston’s Chief Infrastructure Officer, Rich Byrnes.
“It is also good for business, ultimately reducing costs for operators while developing the workforce for the future.
“What Port Houston is doing is walking the talk of our long-range plans to achieve carbon neutrality and taking an important step to support the National Zero Emissions Freight Strategy.”
“This project represents an ambitious program for Port Houston, and another step toward cleaner air quality for the region, and achieving our 2050 carbon neutral goal,” said Port Houston Chairman, Ric Campo.
“The availability of these funds will help reduce barriers for small trucking fleets, a true win-win-win for our local community, our truckers, and our port.”
