This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHA) awarded a $16 million grant to the Northwest Seaport Alliance to help reduce truck air pollution near the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

The grant funding comes from the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program (RTEPF), which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve air quality and reduce pollution for truck drivers, port workers and families that live in communities surrounding ports.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance will use the RTEPF grant to provide financial incentives to independent owner-operators and small trucking companies to buy zero-emission, short-haul trucks. The funding could put between 36 to 58 zero-emission, heavy-duty trucks into operation along with the charging/fueling infrastructure needed to support those vehicles in the Seattle-Tacoma region.

What Larsen, Kilmer and the Northwest Seaport Alliance Are Saying

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, joined Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair Hamdi Mohamed to celebrate the award and what it means for the region.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Northwest Seaport Alliance has the funding it needs to reduce vehicle emissions at the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma while keeping supply chains and the economy moving,” said Rep. Larsen. “Congress must continue to invest in local projects like this one to build a cleaner and greener future, create more jobs and ensure Northwest Washington ports remain globally competitive.”

“This investment in our region, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a step forward in transforming transportation infrastructure in the South Sound and throughout the Puget Sound region,” said Rep. Kilmer. “It’s an investment in reducing carbon emissions, in supporting small trucking businesses, in fostering healthier communities, and in growing our local economy. That’s a big win!”

"The Managing Members of The Northwest Seaport Alliance have introduced bold policies aimed at eliminating seaport-related Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040, and Scope 3 emissions by 2050 or sooner. Securing grant funding from programs like the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities is critical to the successful transition to zero emissions operations for truck drivers. These funds will also support the network of charging infrastructure needed by truck drivers across the region,” said Mohamed, who also serves as Port of Seattle Commission President.

Additional Information

For more information on FHA’s announcement, click here.

For more information on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefiting Washington state, click here.

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