The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) $3 billion in funding to support climate-friendly improvements in ports across the United States. The Port of Detroit was awarded a total of $24 million, including $3 million for planning and $21 million for implementation of its green infrastructure goals.
This achievement is particularly significant as it represents a highlight in the successful collaboration between Detroit/Wayne Count Port Authority and the science team at Tunley Environmental led by Sustainability Scientists Dr. Robert Moorcroft and Emily Alexander, who crafted both the net zero plan and the successful grant application for this funding.
The $3B EPA Clean Ports Program
In October 2024, the EPA’s newly announced funding marked an unprecedented effort to "green" U.S. ports, helping them become cleaner and more sustainable hubs of commerce. According to the White House, this funding focuses on creating climate-resilient ports equipped to handle the challenges of global warming and the increased demand for low-carbon operations. By enabling significant improvements in port infrastructure, the initiative is set to help ports across the nation implement advanced, cleaner technologies, such as electrified transport equipment, shore power for docked ships and other emissions-reducing measures.
Port of Detroit’s Allocation
The Port of Detroit’s allocation is a milestone for the region, as it is among the most ambitious port projects funded through this initiative. This $24 million in funding is divided into two key segments:
Tunley Environmental’s Role
Tunley Environmental played an instrumental role in Detroit’s success in securing this EPA funding, with its sustainability scientists carrying out a comprehensive decarbonization and air quality improvement plan and detailed specific reduction targets. By conducting a thorough emissions baseline analysis, the team identified the most impactful areas for carbon reduction and sustainability improvements. This plan helped lay the groundwork for decarbonization at the Port, and indicated to the EPA how the grant application feeds into the wider decarbonisation and air quality improvement goals at the port.
Detroit’s Sustainable Port Transformation
The Port of Detroit’s transformation should deliver significant environmental and economic benefits, serving as a model for sustainable port development. The anticipated outcomes include: