EPA Clean Ports Program contributes to Honolulu Harbor and climate change solutions 

HONOLULU (Island News) — Hawaii is more dependent on goods being brought in by ship than any other state in America and Honolulu Harbor is getting a $59 million grant from the federal government.The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program will help the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) upgrade the infrastructure at the state’s biggest harbor.98% of all goods that come into the state arrive through Honolulu Harbor making it important to the life of the islands. Container ships and barges are seen to be responsible for bringing goods in and also taking goods out, but perhaps most importantly transferring things interisland.With the wildfires raging in California and all sorts of climate change driven disasters across the globe, the EPA feels it’s important to upgrade aging infrastructure as soon as possible.”To really make sure that we are getting off of diesel and that diesel that contributes, not just to local pollution for these communities around the port, but contributes to carbon that is warming the climate,” said EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.”For each diesel tractor, we will be replacing it with a hydrogen fueled tractor. To be clear, the tractors are the cargo handling tractors that basically move chassis within the terminal. So, you won’t see them out on the road, but they will just be limited to the terminal,” explained HDOT Deputy Director Dreana Kalili.Kalili is talking about the equipment used to unload the containers and barges. 57 diesel cargo tractors replaced total. She also added that solicitations to get project teams onboard should happen by the end of the month.Once that is set in place, then the vision can begin to move forward in lessening Honolulu Harbor’s carbon footprint.