San Francisco Sun

Mayor London Breed has announced a significant federal grant of $55 million awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Port of San Francisco and San Francisco Bay Ferry. The funds will be used to develop the nation's first high-speed zero-emission ferry network, connecting vital transportation hubs in the region.

The EPA's Clean Ports Program is providing this funding to help establish a zero-emission network linking communities served by SF Bay Ferry, including Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo, and Alameda, with major employment centers. These projects are part of SF Bay Ferry’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free (REEF) Ferry Program and aim to set a new standard for clean ferries nationwide while serving as a training platform for maritime workforce development in the Bay Area.

The grant will support several key initiatives: electrification infrastructure at the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal, construction of a high-speed 400-passenger zero-emission vessel, building a new ferry terminal in Mission Bay, and establishing a regional maritime workforce development program.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi praised the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration for strengthening national infrastructure and highlighted that "this funding will improve the quality of life for Bay Area working families by creating a cleaner, greener environment where reliable public transit reduces congestion."

Mayor London Breed emphasized that "this funding is critical to help advance our Climate Action Plan" and noted that it would help make "the San Francisco Bay Ferry the first-zero emissions fast ferry network in the country."

Ferry ridership in the Bay Area saw substantial growth during the 2010s and continues to recover strongly post-2021. Investments in electrification offer an opportunity for transformative change within San Francisco's transportation sector. The EPA grant aims to cut emissions from this sector significantly by transitioning from diesel-powered vessels to zero-emission electric ferries.

Jim Wunderman, Chair of SF Bay Ferry Board of Directors stated that "this grant represents an enormous push forward for the nation’s first high-speed zero-emission ferry network." Elaine Forbes, Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco added that this investment will enable completion of Mission Bay Ferry Landing and achieving an electric fleet with zero emissions.

The Working Waterfront Coalition will operate a maritime workforce development program funded by this grant. This initiative aims to train over 200 apprentices from disadvantaged communities in marine trades and water transportation jobs focusing on zero-emission technologies.

Sal Vaca from Working Waterfront Coalition said that "the grant will support recruitment, training and placement" efforts aimed at reinvigorating maritime employment opportunities in low emission sectors across the Bay Area.

Overall, this EPA grant leverages more than $115 million from other local, state, and federal sources including Regional Measure 3 funds among others.