Eleven seaport operators in Washington are slated to receive a combined $26.5 million from the state to install shore power and other electrification projects, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced Aug. 21.
They are the first recipients of the Port Electrification Grant Program, which state lawmakers created in 2023 with funds from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
Most of the selected ports have said they plan to use the funding to pay for shore power-related projects, which would allow vessels to plug in while at berth. They include the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which is the marine cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma ($2.6 million), the Port of Bellingham ($2.8 million), the Port of Benton ($ 2.7 million), the Port of Edmonds ($1.5 million) and the Port of Seattle ($1 million).
In addition to shore power, the Port of Anacortes and the Port of Port Angeles plan to use part of their $1.03 million and $525,408, respectively, for zero emission equipment, while the Port of Everett intends to use some of its $4.3 million on electric trucks and cleaner generators.
The Port of Friday Harbor is expected to spend some of its $7 million on shore power and electric trucks, while the Port of Kalama’s $1.4 million pays for an electric boat dock and the Port of Ridgefield’s $1.2 million funds electric vehicle chargers.
Combined, the projects have the potential to curb greenhouse gas emissions by more than 140,000 metric tons over the next decade, according to the Washington Transportation Department.
“We are pleased to support cleaner air quality for those who live and work near the ports,” Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight and Ports Division, said in a statement. “This program helps ports switch from using fossil fuels, creates a better work environment for port staff and ensures nearby neighborhoods are healthier places to live.”
