Port, partners investing $65 million in EPA funds to reduce emissions and boost sustainable economic growth
November 21, 2024 | News
In late October, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Office of United States Senator Maria Cantwell announced that the Port of Anacortes and our partners had been awarded $65 million in federal grants for planning and implementation of clean air programs and zero-emissions equipment. This transformative investment from EPA’s Clean Ports Program marks a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to assess and reduce Port greenhouse gas emissions, advance electrification, and deliver economic and environmental benefits to Anacortes and the greater region.
This investment was made possible through the collaboration and partnership with six maritime organizations: Stabbert Marine & Industrial, Arrow Launch Service, Culbertson Marine Construction, Island Express Charters, Skyline Marine Center, and Washington State Ferries, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation.
None of us could have secured this funding alone. Together, we demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing sustainability in our region and establishing Washington state as home to the nation’s most sustainable maritime industry by 2050. This effort also reflects our dedication to meaningfully engaging our community, expanding workforce development, and integrating emissions-reduction planning into both public and private operations.
Hear from our partners below and learn more about how these funds will support their operations and benefit our community.
Stabbert Marine & Industrial (SMI)
SMI is a full-service ship repair facility that provides repair and maintenance services for barges, research vessels, and other ships throughout the entire Salish Sea. With this grant, SMI plans to install shore power at its piers and moorage locations and replace its diesel-powered drydocks, two large diesel-powered railways, and other diesel equipment with a battery-electric travel lift, capable of servicing up to four vessels at once. SMI also plans to acquire two electric workboats and electric-powered equipment for cargo handling, shipyard services, and port facility repairs. Building on nearly two years of site planning and engineering studies, SMI is focused on upgrading its facilities and services to create a responsible environmental footprint and a strong foundation for the future.
Culbertson Marine Construction (CMC)
CMC is an Anacortes-based marine contractor that performs marina repair, construction, salvage, dredging, environmental remediation, pile driving, ship berth repair, marine crane work, and heavy object transport. Through these funds and partnership with the Port, CMC plans to purchase zero-emissions (ZE) equipment to support their operations, including five battery electric cranes, two boom lifts, four forklifts, two material handlers, and fund the electrical components and trenching needed to support the equipment.
“This funding is a game changer for us,” said Andy Culbertson, President of CMC. “It will allow us to expand our operations into fields that were previously unobtainable. The addition of new technology will put us at the forefront of our industry, creating new opportunities while also allowing us to deploy more resources locally to meet the needs of the Port and surrounding businesses.”
Arrow Launch Service
Arrow, a privately-owned public utility common carrier created in 1989, provides Washington State-regulated launch service to all vessels calling on Puget Sound ports. Through this grant, Arrow expects to build two ZE electric harbor craft—multi-mission workboats designed to transport people and cargo between ships, tugs, and assigned anchorages at the Port of Anacortes. Arrow is coordinating with the Port to ensure the Port’s infrastructure supports the vessels’ charging needs in between missions.
“As a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it was only natural that we partnered with the Port of Anacortes and other marine stakeholders in our region,” said Jack Harmon, Vice President. “Arrow Launch has diligently been working on a decarbonization program for several years. The costs associated with developing and ultimately building zero-emission vessels are indeed daunting. However, the benefits to our region from eliminating emissions are equally profound. This grant has the potential to turn those benefits into reality.”
Island Express Charters (IEC)
IEC is a local, owner-operator water-taxi company providing year-round, seven-day-a-week passenger and freight transportation between Skyline Marina in Anacortes and the non-ferry-served San Juan Islands. IEC expects to plan, design, and construct three new vessels powered by twin ZE outboard engines, with preplanning coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. The company aims to phase out vessel utilization of diesel- and gas-powered vessels, transitioning to primarily operate with the newly built ZE vessels, which would be owned and operated by IEC.
“For many years, the goal for our fleet of water taxis has been to reduce our carbon footprint through re-powering our existing three vessels,” said Megan Carden, owner of IEC. “As a small family business, the cost to re-power with hybrid technologies and zero emission concepts has been cost-prohibitive and unachievable. The opportunity to partner with the Port of Anacortes in this federal grant has allowed us the opportunity to achieve this hope.”
Skyline Marine Center (Skyline)
Skyline, located at Skyline Marina in Anacortes, is a moorage, boatyard, and boat storage facility serving thousands of Puget Sound boaters each year. It provides space for 10 marine-related tenants and features approximately 60,000 square feet of indoor boat storage, 90,000 sq ft of outdoor boat storage, and 25,000 sq ft of Do-It-Yourself yard space, along with about 85 in-water slips. Through this grant, Skyline aims to replace a 50-ton marine travel lift and three forklifts with fully electric alternatives that can offer environmentally clean services, deliver equal or greater load capacities, and maintain a higher level of reliability for customers. Collectively, this equipment handles approximately 5,000 boats and trailers annually. Skyline will also oversee the design, construction, and installation of charging stations for the equipment and vessels being requested by IEC and a transformer upgrade through Puget Sound Energy.
“The proposed upgrades this grant would fund will allow [the partners] to collectively position Anacortes as a premier destination for boaters in the Greater Puget Sound,” said Connor Larking, Skyline’s General Manager. “The marine industry has long been a cornerstone of the Anacortes community. We are experiencing a strong and growing demand for high-quality marine services. This funding will allow us to expand our operation, create safer and more efficient work environments for our employees, and ultimately enhance our entire operation. Through our combined efforts, we can generate more growth opportunities for everyone involved.”
Washington State Ferries (WSF)
WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, plans to replace five gasoline-powered tow tractors with five battery electric tow tractors as part of a larger effort to move WSF operations to ZE technologies. These tractors are currently homeported at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, leased by WSF from the Port of Anacortes, and will service four terminals and five vessels. WSF will procure and own the equipment.
“This funding is a key step for WSF to move towards zero emissions for our shoreside infrastructure,” said Kevin Bartoy, Senior Director, Quality, Health, Safety & Environment at WSF. “With this funding, WSF will purchase five zero-emission ‘dock bulls,’ which are towing vehicles that are used to move supplies, waste, and sometimes stalled vehicles on and off our vessels or around our terminal. These will be the first ever zero-emissions vehicles of this type in our system and will be the prototype for our future. We have been planning for this transition for quite some time and are happy to be part of the solution and future that we wish to see.”
Next steps
The Port and our partners will collaborate on grant requirements, procure resources, and begin design, permitting and construction.
The Port will also be leading a community engagement effort around these funds and projects, with the support of all partners. This will support meaningful and inclusive outreach to help ensure Port operations continue to benefit and resonate with our community.