Sponsors (6)
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to support the research, design, development, demonstration, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and retrofit or replacement of existing vessels with zero-emission vessel technologies and charging infrastructure or fueling infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 25, 2026 by Nanette Barragán · Last progress June 25, 2026
The bill channels federal money, technical standards, and coordination to accelerate zero‑emission maritime infrastructure and workforce development—trading broader, faster adoption (including some lower‑cost transitional options and automation studies) for stricter environmental standards, administrative oversight, and higher program and labor costs borne by taxpayers and project recipients.
Ports, vessel owners, maritime workers, and nearby communities gain federal funding, clearer eligibility, and coordinated guidance to accelerate shore power and zero‑emission vessel deployment, reducing port pollution and fuel costs over time.
Fuel producers and clean-technology manufacturers get a clear 90% lifecycle greenhouse‑gas reduction commercial standard to guide development and certification of low‑carbon fuels and equipment, reducing market uncertainty.
Maritime workforce development is supported through recognition of Coast Guard–approved nonprofit training institutions, Centers of Excellence, project labor agreements, and guaranteed labor representation, expanding job and training pathways for workers transitioning to clean maritime jobs.
The program authorizes substantial federal spending ($1B/year through 2036) and allows up to 10% for administration plus additional committee staffing, increasing taxpayer costs and reducing the share of funds that go directly to projects.
Tight technical definitions, a stringent 90% lifecycle GHG threshold, and explicit prohibitions on certain automation studies risk excluding lower‑cost transitional fuels/technologies, hybrid or incremental automation projects, and novel approaches, limiting flexibility and near‑term adoption.
Requiring Davis‑Bacon prevailing wages for projects raises labor costs for grant recipients, which could increase project prices, reduce the number of funded projects, or require larger local matches.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOT program authorizing $1B/year (2027–2036) to fund zero-emission vessels, clean-fuel ships, shore power, efficiency tech, and workforce/community priorities.
Creates a Department of Transportation program to fund research, development, demonstration, deployment, retrofit, and replacement projects that reduce greenhouse gas and other pollution from U.S. vessels and port operations. The program funds zero-emission and clean-alternative-fuel vessels, shore power and charging infrastructure, energy-efficiency technologies, and related workforce and community investments. Authorizes $1 billion per year for fiscal years 2027–2036, allows grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees, and sets program priorities (efficiency, environmental justice, workforce training, project labor agreements, and more). It forbids use of funds for automated vessels or automated cargo handling systems and requires an advisory committee to report regularly to the Secretary and Congress.