U.S. President Joe Biden announced a $3bln investment from his Inflation Reduction Act to improve and electrify port infrastructure across the U.S. during a Tuesday stop at the port of Baltimore in Maryland.

The Port of Baltimore is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast and is a major hub for the import and export of vehicles.

The announcement includes $147m in awards for the Maryland Port Administration, which will support over 2,000 good-paying and union jobs by enabling the purchase and installation of zero-emission port equipment, charging infrastructure, and power improvements, the White House said in a statement.

As part of President Biden and Vice President Harris’ Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3bln through EPA’s Clean Ports Program.

These grants will support the deployment of zero-emission equipment, as well as infrastructure and climate and air quality planning projects at ports across the country.

The grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in combating climate change and promoting clean energy in history.

The funds announced will improve air quality at ports across the country by installing clean, zero-emission freight and ferry technologies along with associated infrastructure, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said, eliminating more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to 391,220 homes’ energy use for one year.

“The Port of Baltimore is a vital economic engine for the state and a leader among the nation’s ports. As we work to improve the Port, it is essential that we build for the future. The projects supported by the Clean Ports Program will help reduce emissions, improve air quality in the Baltimore region and create more clean energy jobs,” said Senator Ben Cardin (MD).

The funds announced will support the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered human-operated and human-maintained equipment, including over 1,500 units of cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives, and 20 vessels, as well as shore power systems for ocean-going vessels, battery-electric and hydrogen vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, and solar power generation, according to the White House.

President Biden was last in Baltimore in the immediate aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.

There, he said his Administration would move heaven and earth to reopen the Port of Baltimore as quickly as possible to support Maryland’s workers and economy.

As informed, Maryland is now on the fast track to rebuild the bridge.

“Last spring – shortly after a massive container ship crashed into the Key Bridge in the dead of night – I vowed to Baltimore and to America that my Administration would do everything possible to re-open this port,” Biden said during his visit on Tuesday.

“And folks, in under 80 days, the Port of Baltimore was back in business,” he added.

His visit comes months after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge, which closed ship traffic in and out of the port of Baltimore.