- Around 31 million Americans living near ports face severe health risks from diesel pollution emitted by ships, trucks, and cargo equipment.
- The Clean Ports Report Card Project grades major U.S. ports on emission control, transparency, and community collaboration.
- San Diego earned praise for clean energy investments, while Houston, New Orleans, and New York/New Jersey showed varying progress.
- The report urges ports to use federal EPA funding and new legislation to adopt zero-emission technologies and strengthen community partnerships.
Nearly 31 million Americans live in port-adjacent communities, facing daily exposure to diesel pollution from ships, trucks, and cargo-handling equipment—pollution that heightens risks of asthma, heart disease, and cancer. To address this ongoing issue, a coalition of national and community-based organizations has launched the Clean Ports Report Card Project, a first-of-its-kind accountability initiative assessing how major U.S. ports are progressing toward cleaner, more transparent, and community-focused operations, as per findings and recommendations released by Friends of the Earth.
The Clean Ports Report Card evaluates key U.S. ports across emissions tracking, clean air planning, pollution reduction actions, and community engagement. While ports such as San Diego are emerging as leaders with investments in zero-emission infrastructure, others like Houston and New Orleans still face challenges in transparency and implementation. The report highlights that with new federal funding through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and proposed legislation such as the Clean Shipping Act of 2025, ports have a pivotal opportunity to transition to zero-emission operations. Advocates emphasize that strong collaboration between port authorities, local communities, and policymakers will be vital to ensure cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods, and sustainable economic growth, according to Friends of the Earth.
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: FOE
