EDF Applauds Port Houston Decision To Set First Carbon Neutrality Goal

"Port Houston’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050 is the right next step. We don’t have time to lose. The science is clear. Climate pollution is already intensifying the storms that keep pounding the Gulf Coast, threatening lives, property and safety. Harmful emissions from last century’s ships, trucks, trains and other cargo-handling equipment are already making people sick and diminishing their quality of life. EDF supports the port’s commitment to bring government, industry and community together to eliminate climate pollution and protect public health as urgently as we can. The port must start investing at least 5 percent of their spending toward their new goal and documenting their budget and work each step of the way. They must keep responding to community concerns and public pressure. They must leverage the Biden administration’s investment in infrastructure to retire their own dirty equipment. They must continue to influence the companies that use the Ship Channel to move rapidly toward full electrification of their fleets. And they must work closely with neighboring communities too long treated as sacrifice zones to make sure everyone benefits from these necessary transitions."

- Elena Craft, Senior Director for Climate and Health, Environmental Defense Fund