Clean Ports
Program
The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), in partnership with the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ), has secured funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program (CPP) to advance zero-emission (ZE) technology and enhance climate and air quality planning at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal (SLCIT).
These initiatives align with the EPA’s goals of reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering sustainable port operations.
Grant Breakdown & Responsibilities
For our critical mission to succeed, we must protect and preserve environmentally sensitive areas and critical natural resources, adapt to counter the effects of climate change, and minimize adverse impacts of development and freight logistics on Utah’s air quality, ecosystems, and majestic, natural spaces.
1. Climate & Air Quality Planning (CAQP) – $2.4M (Led by UIPA)
UIPA will manage climate and air quality planning efforts, including:
- Developing a baseline emissions inventory for SLCIT.
- Assessing diesel emission reduction strategies to identify cost-effective, long-term solutions.
- Engaging stakeholders and near-port communities through structured public outreach.
- Conducting a ZE workforce impact assessment to prepare workers for future transitions.
- Publishing a final report summarizing emissions data and community input.
2. Zero-Emission Technology Deployment – $110M (Led by UDAQ)
UDAQ, in partnership with UIPA, will oversee the deployment of zero-emission technologies, including:
- Replacing diesel Class 8 and Class 5-7 trucks with ZE alternatives.
- Transitioning cargo handling equipment, such as terminal tractors and forklifts, to ZE models.
- Replacing a diesel switcher locomotive with a ZE switcher.
- Supporting infrastructure upgrades, such as EV charging stations and a solar microgrid.
- Providing incentives for ZE equipment adoption.
- Engaging communities to ensure equitable participation in project planning and implementation.
How this Supports the EPA's Goals
Emissions Reduction
Sustainable Technology
Community Engagement
Economic & Environment
Why It Matters
This initiative places Utah at the forefront of clean freight movement and ensures a smoother, greener transition for logistics operations, directly benefiting businesses, workers, and communities.
By supporting the transition to ZE operations at the SLCIT, located in a serious nonattainment area, this effort will contribute to significant emissions reductions, improving the air quality along the Wasatch Front, where diesel emissions contribute to approximately 50% of the total nitrogen oxides (NOx) or tailpipe emissions in the Wasatch Front airshed.
Grant Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes
ACTIVITIES
- Develop a baseline emissions inventory for vehicles/equipment operating at the SLCIT
- Assess diesel emission reductions strategies
- Launch a formal process to get input from near-port communities and stakeholders on CAQP activities
- Engage workers on CAQP activities, including ZE workforce impact analysis
- Prepare and publish documents summarizing results of CAQP activities
OUTPUT(S)
- Completed baseline emissions inventory of the SLCIT
- Plan for reducing diesel emissions
- Number of events and tools supporting engagement with local residents to ensure their meaningful participation with respect to the design, planning and performance of the project
- Plan to prepare the current workforce for impacts of future projects, including ZE technologies
- Publicly available document summarizing high-level results of planning activities
OUTCOME(S)
- Increased understanding of current, accurate emissions at the SLCIT to inform future planning activities
- Increased tools for making strategic, cost-effective, long-term investments to reduce emissions at SLCIT and port facilities throughout the state of Utah
- Improved ability to incorporate community perspectives into decision-making
- Workers have better understanding of how their roles may evolve, worker voice is incorporated into decision-making, and worker safety and job-quality is prioritized
- Increased transparency in planning activities, including providing staff contact info for public questions and comments
In the News
EPA Clean Ports Program Grant on Pause as UIPA and UDAQ Monitor Next Steps
Emissions choke — Here’s how the EPA is trying to help Utah clear its lungs (KSL News)
Utah to receive its largest environmental grant ever, and almost all of it is going to the inland port
UIPA and DEQ Celebrate Historic $112.4M Clean Ports Grant to Improve Air Quality
