Port of Houston Harms Health of Communities

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Port of Houston Harms Health of Communities

October 2, 2025

HOUSTON - The Port of Houston received a low score in a new national Clean Ports Report Card Projectreleased today, earning a "Wharf in Progress" for weak clean air targets, limited progress towards transitioning to zero-emission technologies, and a lack of meaningful collaboration with nearby communities impacted by air pollution.

While community advocates acknowledge the Port has taken some positive steps toward modernization - conducting emissions inventories, developing a Clean Air Strategy Plan, and securing millions in federal funding for zero- and low-emission projects, these actions lack a clear implementation plan, firm timelines and enforceable commitments. They urge the Port to expand on some of its recent investments that include cleaner hybrid-electric rubber-tired gantry cranes and funding for 30 new zero-emission trucks and supporting charging infrastructure.

"This report card reflects what our families see and breathe every day near the Port of Houston," said Stefanie Martinez, Executive Director of Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park. "By combining scientific data with community voices, we're holding port leaders accountable and calling for a future where growth doesn't come at the expense of our health."

A Critical Moment for Action

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency received $3 billion in federal funding to transition U.S. ports to zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and air quality planning, also known as the EPA Clean Ports Program. Through this program, the Port of Houston was awarded almost $3 million for the PORT SHIFT (Ports Optimizing Resilient Transportation through Sustainable, Human, Innovative, and Forward-looking Technology), a program to accelerate zero-emissions technology adoption at the Port. So far, however, the Port has not been implementing this project transparently and in collaboration with the community.

Port facilities, states, and regions with ports should act on their own to require cleaner shipping and trucking operations to protect vulnerable communities from pollution. Ports need to be "good neighbors" and collaborate with communities most impacted by their operations to help clean up their ports. The report cards provide a roadmap for constructive stakeholder collaborations with transparency around operations and the implementation of the EPA's Clean Ports Program Funding.

Without urgent action, we risk squandering this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity to reduce deadly pollution and deliver healthier, more prosperous communities.

Grading Ports: From Rising Star to Preparing to Launch

The Clean Ports Report Card evaluates ports in four categories:

• Emissions Inventory:The Port has developed inventories to track emissions sources.
• Clean Air Planning:A Clean Air Strategy Plan exists, but lacks measurable milestones and binding targets.
• Emissions Reduction Actions:Hybrid-electric cranes and ZEV truck funding mark progress, but overall zero-emission technology deployment is limited and slow.
• Community Engagement:Public engagement policies exist, but decision-makers have yet to embrace deeper partnership and collaboration beyond information sharing.

With a score of 56%, the Port of Houston falls short. Advocates stress that prioritizing zero-emission infrastructure and building authentic partnerships with neighboring communities could transform the Port into a national leader.

"Ports have fueled economic growth, but our communities are paying the price with their health," said Terrance L. Bankston, Senior Ports and Freight Campaigner at Friends of the Earth. "Through the Clean Ports Report Card campaign, we're empowering frontline groups across the country and pushing port leaders to adopt zero-emission solutions so families living near these facilities can finally breathe clean, healthy air."

A Tool for Accountability and Action

Communities are demanding that ports use new federal funding to deliver real, measurable cuts in deadly pollutionwhile creating economic opportunity. The Report Card reveals that many ports can make significant progress with easy-to-implement actions such as consistent air monitoring, comprehensive emissions inventories, measurable clean air plans, and authentic community engagement.

The Report Card is designed to be replicable by advocates across the country, with a template toolkit available to help communities evaluate and grade their own local ports. The Clean Ports Report Cardequips residents and advocates with transparency tools to hold ports accountable and push for stronger public health protections.

The full Clean Ports Report Card, including grades for San Diego, New York/New Jersey, and New Orleans, is available at cleanportsreportcard.org.

About the Clean Ports Report Card Project
The Clean Ports Report Card Project is a collaborative national initiative led by Better World Group, in partnership with Environmental Health Coalition, Rise St. James, Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park, South Ward Environmental Alliance, Parents Engaging Parents New Jersey, Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and local environmental justice organizations nationwide. Together, these partners developed a replicable scoring framework to track port performance on pollution reduction, transparency, and community engagement-paving the way for cleaner, healthier port operations across the U.S.

Contacts:
Stefanie Martinez, [email protected], Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park
Cruz Hinojosa, [email protected], Environmental Community Advocates of Galena Park
Terrance Bankston, [email protected], Friends of the Earth

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