Port of New York and New Jersey Has A Solid Foundation, Can Improve to Protect Health and Stay Globally Competitive

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Port of New York and New Jersey Has A Solid Foundation, Can Improve to Protect Health and Stay Globally Competitive

October 2, 2025

NEW YORK - The Port of New York and New Jersey was recognized as a "Healthier Harbor" in a new national Clean Ports Report Cardreleased today. earning a high score for its efforts to modernize and clean up its operations through emissions inventories including a Net Zero Roadmap clean air plan and securing millions in federal funding to support low- and zero-emission projects. While the Port has taken steps toward reducing air pollution around its operations, advocates say there is more to be done to protect the health of communities and port workers. The Port has opportunities to work more collaboratively with surrounding communities, create more ambitious and enforceable clean air targets, and take more aggressive actions to reduce emissions.

"Families living near the Port of New York and New Jersey deserve clean air and safe communities,"said Erica Beverett, Lead Organizer with Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey. "By working with partners to turn complex data into a clear scorecard, we're showing both the progress made and the urgent steps still needed. Zero-emission solutions like shore power can protect our children's health while holding the Port Authority accountable to the people most impacted."

Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey worked closely with national partners like Friends of the Earth and Pacific Environment to analyze the Port's operations and highlight available solutions. That collaboration helped local leaders translate technical data into clear, accessible information for families on the ground.

Community advocates also engaged directly with the Port Authority of NY&NJ, creating space to work together while maintaining accountability. The Report Card underscores both the progress achieved and the significant gaps that remain - making clear how cleaner practices can deliver real benefits for portside neighborhoods.

A Critical Moment for Action

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency received $3 billion in federal funding to transition U.S. ports to zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and air quality planning, also known as the EPA Clean Ports Program. Through this program, the Port of NYNJ was awarded a $400 million grantin 2024 to fund new zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, and pursue comprehensive climate and air quality planning.This project is a key opportunity for the port to electrify cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, and invest in technologies to reduce ship pollution.

Port facilities, states, and regions with ports have the authority to require cleaner shipping and trucking operations to protect vulnerable communities from pollution. Ports need to be "good neighbors" and collaborate with communities most impacted by their operations to help clean up their ports. The report cards provide a roadmap for constructive stakeholder collaborations with transparency around operations and the implementation of the EPA's Clean Ports Program Funding. Without urgent action, we risk squandering this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity to reduce deadly pollution and deliver healthier, more prosperous communities.

Grading Ports: From Rising Star to Preparing to Launch

The Clean Ports Report Card evaluates ports in four categories:

• Emissions Inventory - The Port has conducted emissions inventories, providing a baseline for action.
• Clean Air Planning- A Net Zero Roadmap exists, but lacks ambitious interim targets and measurable milestones.
• Emissions Reduction Actions - Projects are underway with new federal funding, but progress remains too slow.
• Community Engagement - The Port has yet to meaningfully engage with portside communities outside their terminals.

With a score of 71.6%, the Port is well-positioned to utilize the EPA's Clean Ports Program funding to make greater progress toward decarbonizing its operations and building strong partnerships with portside communities. Implementing stronger clean air targets and prioritizing frontline communities could transform its operations into a national model.

"Ports have fueled economic growth, but our communities are paying the price with their health," said Terrance L. Bankston, Senior Ports and Freight Campaigner at Friends of the Earth. "Through the Clean Ports Report Card campaign, we're empowering frontline groups across the country and pushing port leaders to adopt zero-emission solutions so families living near these facilities can finally breathe clean, healthy air."

"The Clean Port Report Card underscores the need for the Port to set a clear action plan and focus on addressing the largest source of pollution in port - fossil fueled ships. Tackling shipping emissions is critical for the health of port communities, the oceans, and the Port's ability to achieve its Net Zero goal. There is no time to waste; the Port of New York and New Jersey must act now." Fern Uennatornwaranggoon, Climate Campaign Director for Ports, Pacific Environment.

A Tool for Accountability and Action

Communities are demanding that ports use new federal funding to deliver real, measurable cuts in deadly pollutionwhile creating economic opportunity. The Report Card reveals that many ports can make significant progress with easy-to-implement actions such as consistent air monitoring, comprehensive emissions inventories, measurable clean air plans, and authentic community engagement.

The Report Card is designed to be replicable by advocates across the country, with a template toolkit available to help communities evaluate and grade their own local ports. The Clean Ports Report Cardequips residents and advocates with transparency tools to hold ports accountable and push for stronger public health protections.

The full Clean Ports Report Card, including grades for San Diego, Houston, and New Orleans, is available at cleanportsreportcard.org.

About the Clean Ports Report Card Project
The Clean Ports Report Card Project is a collaborative national initiative led by Better World Group, in partnership with Communities for a Healthy Bay, Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park, Environmental Health Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Heal the Bay, Pacific Environment, Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey, Public Citizen, Rise St. James, RiSE4EJ, Sierra Club, and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. Together, these partners developed a replicable scoring framework to track port performance on pollution reduction, transparency, and community engagement-paving the way for cleaner, healthier port operations across the U.S.

Contacts:
Erica Beverett, [email protected], Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey
Terrance Bankston, [email protected], Friends of the Earth

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