The US government is awarding nearly $3 billion to boost climate-friendly equipment and infrastructure at ports across the country.
As part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda, the funds will improve and electrify ports at 55 sites. Officials say it will supporting an estimated 40,000 union jobs, reduce pollution and combat the climate crisis.
“Decarbonising our nation’s ports is one of the many ways President Biden and Vice President Harris’s investment agenda is helping cut pollution and create good-paying union jobs,” said White House National Climate Advisor, Ali Zaidi. “The communities being uplifted by these grants provide proof points for how good environmental policy can be good economic policy.”
The Port of Baltimore, where a deadly bridge collapse killed six construction workers in March and disrupted East Coast shipping routes for months, will be a recipient. It is one of the busiest on the East Coast and a major hub for the import and export of motor vehicles and farm equipment.
“The Port of Baltimore is a vital economic engine for the state and a leader among the nation’s ports,” said Maryland Senator, Ben Cardin. “As we work to improve the Port, it is essential that we build for the future. The projects supported by the Clean Ports Program will help reduce emissions, improve air quality in the Baltimore region and create more clean energy jobs.”
In other news, renewed supply chain disruptions have increased demand for flexible logistics services.
