Port Authority Says ‘Zero Emissions’ Goal Is Possible For 2050

NEWARK, NJ — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has released its Net-Zero Roadmap, a blueprint that will help guide the agency as it chases its 2050 goal of “net-zero carbon emissions.”

Announced earlier this week, the new “roadmap” comes in addition to other clean energy initiatives that the agency has taken in the recent past (see below).

So far, their plan is working, according to the Port Authority. As of 2023, the agency has reduced its direct emissions by more than 20 percent from 2006 levels. It is on track to see a 35 percent reduction in direct emissions by 2025, and a 50 percent reduction by 2030.

But there is still work to be done, spokespeople say.

To underscore their announcement, the Port Authority held a news conference at Newark Airport’s historic Building One, which will be retrofitted as its first “fossil fuel-free building” – a prototype that the agency intends to roll out on a larger basis.

The building will see a multitude of efficiency upgrades, a new electric boiler, and new solar panels for clean, onsite energy generation. All current natural gas-burning equipment will be replaced as part of the work.

Tuesday’s announcement got a thumbs-up from Gov. Phil Murphy, who said the Port Authority’s plan will continue to help the Garden State reach its own goal of a “100 percent clean-energy economy.” Read More: NJ To Require All-Electric Cars, 100% Clean Energy By 2035

According to the Port Authority, other recent initiatives it has taken (or will be taking soon) include:

Solar – Streamlined process for renewable energy usage and maximized on-site solar installations, including a 5 MWdc solar array at Newark Liberty International Airport - the largest solar rooftop installation at any U.S. airport - and initiating the construction process of New York state’s largest solar plus storage system planned for John F. Kennedy International Airport

Electric Vehicles - Light duty non-emergency vehicle fleet will be 50 percent electric by 2025 through vehicles already acquired or ordered by the agency, with a further target to make the entire fleet electric by 2028; 46 new airport electric buses in operation, the largest electric bus fleet of any U.S. airport system; 375 new EV charging ports installed with 600 more in progress

Building Decarbonization - Port Authority intends to make its buildings fossil fuel-free by 2050, beginning with a full decarbonization retrofit at Newark Liberty International Airport’s historic Building One, to be completed by 2025. All new buildings now prioritize sustainability in their design and construction, while the agency leverages existing and future leases to encourage clean energy use among tenants

The Port Authority has also been working with port tenants, airlines and other stakeholders, who have reduced their emissions by 412,000 metric tons.

According to the agency, some recent gains include:

Electric ground support equipment (Aviation) - Working with the agency’s aviation partners, Port Authority airports have reached an important milestone of 1,000 pieces of electric ground support equipment currently operating at our airports. We will continue to work with our stakeholders towards transitioning to utilization of all commercially available zero-emission ground support equipment by 2030 through the implementation of the 2022 Zero Emission Airside Vehicle Rule.

Electric ship-to-shore cranes and rail-mounted-gantry cranes (Seaport) - 89 of the 91 ship-to-shore and rail-mounted-gantry cranes currently in use at the Port of New York and New Jersey’s marine terminals are fully electric. All are targeted to be electric by 2026 through the Port Authority’s Marine Tariff program, incentivizing electric equipment conversion by seaport tenants.

Other plans and green initiatives for the Port Authority include:

Transportation and equipment

• Design and upgrade bus terminals, including the planned replacement of the Midtown Bus Terminal, to fully support zero-emission operations and electric bus fleets
• Expand and improve transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access to facilities, reducing traffic and congestion
• Install charging infrastructure at airports to support the transition to zero-emission ground support equipment by 2030
• Support zero-emission taxis, for-hire vehicles, buses, and rental cars at airports by adding charging equipment and creating incentives for use
• Engage airport stakeholders to facilitate transition to sustainable aviation fuel
• Phase in increasingly more stringent environmental initiatives to promote use of zero-emission ship fuel, equipment, and trucks at container terminals, supported with charging infrastructure and industry outreach
• Increase use of freight shipping via rail and barge instead of diesel trucks, including through planned upgrades to the port’s on-dock ExpressRail intermodal system and the Port Authority’s wholly owned short line marine railroad, New York New Jersey Rail, and cross-harbor railcar barge.

Energy supply and infrastructure

• Expand solar energy installations and clean energy purchases
• Transition central power plants to net-zero emission systems
• Announced the creation of a construction support facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport, with a commitment to minimize truck trips and pollution through the surrounding community
• Required low-carbon concrete mixes in all future construction projects
• Published a logistics and production study outlining initial steps toward the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel
• Extended the clean vessel program, incentivizing container and cruise ships to make engine, fuel, and technology enhancements to reduce emissions.

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