SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - Ports in Savannah and surrounding areas to receive a $120 million grant to go towards improving operational sustainability.
At the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) meeting on Monday morning, President and CEO Griff Lynch outlined plans to improve operational sustainability for neighboring communities in Savannah and Brunswick with the grant.
“We are constantly looking for ways to be a good steward for our local communities near our ports in Savannah and Brunswick. These federal grants will help us reduce the community impact of our ship, rail and truck traffic operations and emissions. We’d like to thank our federal partners for their role in supporting our plans to reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen our business resiliency,” Lynch said.
A $49.8 million Maritime Administration grant will help ensure uninterrupted power supply at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal.
The project will create an on-terminal electricity distribution network fed by GPA-owned generators and substations. The ability to more quickly restore power will protect temperature-controlled cargo such as food and medicine to minimize disruptions in the event of a natural disaster.
According to Lynch, a more resilient power supply is also key to a GPA initiative transitioning from diesel to electric-powered yard equipment. GPA says it will match the federal grant with $88.2 million.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded GPA $48.7 million to provide shore power at four berths: Three in Savannah and one at the Port of Brunswick.
The new electrical infrastructure is designed to help ocean carriers meet carbon reduction goals by shutting off engines at the dock. Plug-in power will provide an expected annual reduction of 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
The EPA grant will also fund 16 new electric terminal jockey trucks and charging infrastructure. The electric trucks will replace older, diesel-powered models. Both measures will reduce emissions on the terminal and for the surrounding neighborhoods.
“While the $29 million grade separation may have been more costly, the Georgia Ports Board chose this option to maintain the highest quality of life for our neighbors,” said Board Chairman Kent Fountain.
The GPA has been awarded $26.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help construct Phase II of the Colonel’s Island Rail Improvements project at the Port of Brunswick.
GPA and rail partner Genesee & Wyoming Inc. will match the grant with $27.6 million.
The funding will complete the build-out of a new railyard needed to handle the growing volume of automotive exports and imports moving through Brunswick, the second busiest Roll-on/Roll-off port in the United States.
Phase I of the Brunswick rail project is currently under construction. When both phases are complete, the expansion will add nearly 500,000 units of annual rail capacity, for a total of 700,000 units.
“Our customers have expressed interest in increased rail capacity for exports of autos and high and heavy machinery. This project is a win-win for all port stakeholders, reducing port impacts on the local community while delivering needed capacity for exports,” Lynch added.