The Hawaii Department of Transportation was awarded $59.2 million in federal funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Ports Program to advance climate adaptation and improve air quality across the state’s port facilities.
The funds, awarded through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aim to support sustainable operations at Hawai‘i’s nine commercial harbors, beginning with initiatives focused on emissions assessment and hydrogen-fueled technology.
A $2.5 million grant will enable HDOT to conduct a comprehensive air emissions inventory baseline study for ocean-going vessels, harbor craft and cargo handling equipment operating across the state. The federal study, fully funded by the U.S. Government, will help establish emissions reduction targets and identify strategies for achieving those goals.
HDOT plans to use the baseline data as a benchmark for future progress in reducing port-related emissions.
An additional $56.7 million will fund the acquisition of hydrogen-fueled tractors for use at the Sand Island Container Terminal and support the construction of a hydrogen fueling facility at Honolulu Harbor.
The initiative is part of HDOT’s broader effort to reduce emissions through innovative, clean-energy infrastructure. The department intends to work with maritime partners to implement the project and integrate hydrogen technology into harbor operations.
“We are grateful for the support of the Biden Administration, the EPA and our congressional delegation for these awards, which will greatly enhance the state’s commitment to reduce emissions and enable us to continue to adapt our commercial harbor facilities for future impacts of climate change,” said Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, in a news release announcing the award. “These projects, especially the hydrogen vehicles, are the needed catalyst for transformational change across cargo operations in Honolulu Harbor.”
HDOT is one of 55 applicants from 27 states that received a share of nearly $33 billion in Clean Ports Program grants. The funding positions Hawai‘i’s ports as leaders in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable cargo operations, further aligning the state’s infrastructure with long-term climate goals.
