EPA Clean Ports Program
In 2025, POLA, in collaboration with five major container terminal partners (APM Terminals [APMT], Everport Terminal Services (Everport), Fenix Marine Services (Fenix), TraPac, and Yusen Terminals LLC [YTI]) and its community partner, the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation (HCBF), was awarded an EPA grant to reduce air pollution in a severe non-attainment area and advance the Port toward 100% ZE operations while fostering high-quality jobs and community-centered engagement.
The Clean Ports Program involves acquiring and deploying ZE cargo handling equipment, installing charging and electrical infrastructure, workforce training, expanding a ZE truck incentive program, and a robust community-led engagement strategy to ensure broad-based and awareness of this EPA funded grant.
WHAT IS THE EPA CLEAN PORTS PROGRAM?
The Program represents a significant component of a larger regional vision for the San Pedro Bay Ports Complex to achieve ZE operations. Through long-term coordination with the Port of Long Beach, POLA actively engages in cross-port ZE equipment deployments, workforce training initiatives, and community outreach. Together, the EPA Clean Ports investments proposed by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will support shared decarbonization goals and advance the electrification of both ports, which collectively handle approximately 40% of the country’s waterborne containers.
The EPA Clean Ports Project at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex will provide a replicable model for ZE deployment and encourage widespread industry adoption of alternative fuels and advanced technologies. This is a very exciting investment of over $413 million to the region.
HCBF will receive $50 million to:
- Conduct extensive public engagement for the whole project
- Manage a citizen-driven grant program, within EPA’s guidelines
- Develop and implement a workforce development program
HCBF is excited to administer this fifty-million-dollar investment that will reduce air pollution and bring good quality jobs, training and apprenticeships to the port impacted communities.
Upcoming Community Update Meetings
TBD
Past Community Meetings
January 26, 2026
PowerPoint Slides
Q & A
March 12, 2026
PowerPoint Slides
HCBF, through funding from the EPA’s Clean Ports program, recently hosted an insightful expert discussion on environmental and health impacts on April 20th.
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. We have more educational seminars scheduled and invite you to join us for our upcoming sessions.
EPA Clean Ports Newsletters
EPA Clean Ports Program Consulting Team
Louisa Ollague, EPA Grant Manager
louisahcbfcleanports@gmail.com
With more than twenty-five years of LA County government experience, Louisa secured funding for unincorporated county park and library services, rent relief, mortgage relief, homeless program initiative and many other complex public investments. As policy staff, she oversaw initiatives to increase housing, social services, and quality of life programs in the County of Los Angeles. She served as a senior policy advisor for three County elected officials. She graduated from the Lawrenceville School and Wellesley College and pursued graduate work at the Claremont Graduate School.
Aydin Pasebani, ZE Grant Manager
aydinhcbfcleanports@gmail.com
Aydin Pasebani is an urban planner with experience in public policy, environmental planning, and public-sector grant administration across Los Angeles County, including work with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the State of California. Aydin holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Real Estate, & Law from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Liza Zavala, Support Staff
lizahcbfcleanports@gmail.com
Liza possesses extensive experience in county and state affairs, having managed 14 County Community Service Centers. She collaborated closely with the County Workforce system, with particular emphasis on youth employment initiatives, prior to her retirement. Liza is the mother of two sons currently attending college and has roots in Northeast Los Angeles, where she was born and raised.
Mari Mercado, Public Engagement Manager
marihcbfcleanports@gmail.com
Mari Mercado is a mother and grandmother with over 30 years of experience in community benefits work. Her background as a teacher, artist, and activist has shaped her efforts to advance social justice. Mari has led successful campaigns for living wages, advocated for language justice, and promoted equity in various communities. She was born and raised in East LA and holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature from UCLA.
Glossary of Program Terms
