Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities

Note: Except as indicated, all references in this document are to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021).

Program Purpose

The BIL establishes the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities program to study and provide grants to reduce idling at port facilities, including through the electrification of port operations.

Statutory Citations

• § 11402; division J, title VIII, Highway Infrastructure Programs (HIP) heading, paragraph (5)

Funding Features

Type of Budget Authority or Authorization of Appropriations

• Contract authority from the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund, subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation.
• Advance appropriations from the General Fund, not subject to any limitation on obligations.

Federal Share

• Federal share not to exceed 80% of the total cost of the project for which a grant is awarded. [§ 11402(b)(2)]

Program Features

This is a new program established under BIL.

Research and Grant Awards

• The Secretary shall—
  • study how ports and intermodal port transfer facilities would benefit from increased opportunities to reduce emissions at ports, including through the electrification of port operations;
  • study emerging technologies and strategies that may help reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks; and
  • coordinate and provide funding to test, evaluate, and deploy projects that reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks, including through the advancement of port electrification and improvements in efficiency, focusing on port operations, including heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and other related projects. [§ 11402(a)(1)]
• The Secretary shall award grants to fund projects that reduce emissions at ports, including through the advancement of port electrification. [§ 11402(b)(1)]

Coordination with other Federal Agencies

• The Secretary shall—
  • to the maximum extent practicable, leverage existing resources and programs of the Department and other relevant Federal agencies;
  • and coordinate with other Federal agencies, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. [§§ 11402(a)(2) and 11402(b)(3)]

Grant Application and Selection

• The Secretary shall solicit applications for grants at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be necessary. [§ 11402(b)(4)(A)]
• The Secretary shall make grant awards no later than April 1 of each fiscal year for which funding is made available. [§ 11402(b)(4)(B)]

Treatment of Projects

• Treats every project funded under the program as if it were located on a Federal-aid highway. This ensures applicability of Davis-Bacon wage requirements that apply to other projects on Federal-aid highways. [§ 11402(b)(5)]

Reporting Requirements

• Not later than 1 year after the date on which all projects funded with a grant are completed, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes—
  • the findings of the studies;
  • the results of the projects that received a grant;
  • any recommendations for workforce development and training opportunities with respect to port electrification; and
  • any policy recommendations based on the findings of the studies and results of the projects that received a grant. [§ 11402(c)]

Additional Information and Assistance

• FHWA can connect you with your local FHWA office and support you with technical assistance for planning, design, construction, preserving, and improving public roads and in the stewardship of Federal funds. For assistance, visit: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/technical_support.cfm.