EPA announces $47.6 million for the ports of Anchorage and Seward

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that two major Alaska ports have been selected to receive more than $47.6 million to support zero-emission port technology and infrastructure through its Clean Ports Program.

In a press release Wednesday, the EPA said Alaska’s Don Young Port — located in Anchorage — will receive $1,934,206 to complete a baseline emissions inventory, assess clean energy alternatives, develop an energy transition plan, plan scenarios for evaluate the use of technology, conduct a safety investigation. analysis for hydrogen equipment and workforce planning.

The Port of Seward will receive the lion’s share of the $45,732,040 grants for the development of shore power for ships, a battery energy storage system and electrical infrastructure upgrades.

The grants are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to “advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from America’s ports and nearby communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America’s ports thrive.”

Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola said investing in port growth “will create good-paying union jobs and strengthen our supply chain.”

Seward City Manager Kat Sorensen says by supplying cruise ships there with shore power, the ships can turn off their diesel engines and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.