Kilmer Announces Transformative Investment in Zero-Emission Trucking Infrastructure

April 23, 2024

TACOMA, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Northwest Seaport Alliance will receive $16 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration's Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant Program to support the deployment of 36 to 58 zero-emission drayage trucks through vehicle purchases and development of charging/fueling infrastructure in the Seattle-Tacoma region.

"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!"

This federal investment will allow the NWSA to significantly expand the Zero Emission Drayage Demonstration Program launched in 2023. In July, Rep. Kilmer wrote to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to strongly support the "Advancing a Just & Equitable Transition to Zero-Emission Port Trucks in the Seattle-Tacoma Region" project.

"The Northwest Seaport Alliance is deeply grateful to Congressman Kilmer for his leadership in helping secure $16 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program," said Kristin Ang, Port of Tacoma Commission President and Co-Chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. "These funds will be instrumental in advancing our Zero-Emission Drayage Truck Incentive Program and accelerating the transition to zero-emission drayage trucks in the Puget Sound."

This funding will support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and emissions of diesel particulate matter that disproportionately impact disadvantaged, overburdened communities living near the seaports and along the major freight corridors in the Seattle-Tacoma region and support the long-term effort for large-scale transition to zero-emission trucking across Washington state and the Pacific Northwest.

The new investment will also benefit the region's drayage trucking companies, more than 30% of which are independent owner/operators or very small companies (owning five or fewer trucks) and help preserve and create good-paying jobs in the trucking industry by improving the job quality for participating truckers through affordable access to quieter, cleaner, healthier, trucks.

Established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the RTEPF Grant Program provides funding to study and provide grants to reduce idling at port facilities, including through the electrification of port operations. The RTEPF program provides $400 million in funding over five years.

For Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized a combined total of $160 million in federal funding. Looking ahead, a combined total of $240 million in federal funds will be available through the Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 funding opportunities.

More information on future cycles of the RTEPF Grant Program can be found here.

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