Governor Newsom’s Budget Includes Key Funding for Electrifying Ports, Aviation and Shipping Sectors 

SACRAMENTO (January 10, 2022) – Today, Governor Newsom announced his proposed budget, which includes key provisions to tackle the dual threat of climate change and pollution at California’s ports, while electrifying sectors associated with dirty diesel air pollution.  

For the first time, Gov. Newsom has included $200 million in funding for emerging technologies to transition fossil-fuel emitting sectors, including maritime, aviation, rail and other off-road applications. His proposal also includes $400 million to enable port electrification, $100 million to advance the use of green hydrogen necessary to move California to fuel the transition, and $110 million for workforce development to accelerate deployment of zero emission equipment. 

Statement from Teresa Bui, State Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment: 

“There is no time to waste in tackling the climate and environmental impacts that are happening at the ports and we applaud Gov. Newsom for including funding and leadership to move the state of California from dirty fossil-fueled ships, planes and rails to zero-emissions solutions.  

This holiday season, Californians living near the ports have been bombarded by pollution from a record of almost 100 cargo ships. The supply chain crisis added an additional 20 tons of nitrogen oxide into the air each day, like adding 5.8 million passenger cars to the region. California has led the effort to electrify cars and trucks, and as some of the worst air polluters in California, maritime and aviation should be next to move to zero-emissions. Our frontline communities and public health depend upon it.”   

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Pacific Environment is a global environmental organization that protects communities and wildlife of the Pacific Rim. We support community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies, and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy. 

Contact: Gwen Dobbs, Pacific Environment, 202-329-9295, [email protected]