Ports and Environmental Justice

Ports & Environmental Justice

U.S. ports today are growing significantly, due to expansion of the Panama Canal and increased trade around the world; however, the high levels of harmful emissions that accompany this growth are not properly accounted for or mitigated. Port growth without an emphasis on substantially reducing overall air pollution emissions is unsustainable and irresponsible.

Communities living near ports bear the brunt of these emissions, breathing in toxic pollutants that can cause asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and premature death. These neighborhoods are typically communities of color long subjected to environmental injustice. 

There are many proven ways to reduce emissions from ports — and Friends of the Earth is working to safeguard public health in and around ports by urging ports to implement alternative power measures. We are also working to organize advocacy efforts in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northwest regions to champion Environmental Justice and fight for affected communities.

Electrifying Ports to Reduce Diesel Pollution

Conceptually, a large ship is a small town or municipality that requires energy to continue operating while docked at a port. Often this energy is produced by a ship’s auxiliary engines, which burn dirty oil-based fuel to generate power to maintain onboard operations. However, this particular power supply option is heavily polluting and avoidable. Fortunately ships today are increasingly using electricity from the grid while idling at berth, in a process known as shore power or onshore power supply (OPS). Due to new environmental regulations, federal grant resources, and the Green Ports concept, OPS technology is becoming increasingly popular. OPS allows ships to shut down their engines, reducing noise levels and polluting emissions that affect port workers and Environmental Justice communities. Reports suggest that the OPS system can also become more cost-effective.