{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-delivers-549-million-federal-boost-zero-emission-ferry-project-driving", "Pallone Delivers $54.9 Million Federal Boost for Zero-Emission Ferry Project, Driving Cleaner Transit Solutions for Highlands and Central New Jersey", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Highlands, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. has announced a major win for central New Jersey with $54.9 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Clean Ports Program to advance zero-emission high-speed ferries through Seastreak, LLC. This award will support the deployment of zero-emission ferries and essential charging infrastructure, aimed at cutting dangerous pollution and easing travel between New Jersey and Manhattan. Pallone, who helped author the Inflation Reduction Act as the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, championed Seastreak\u2019s proposal as a model for clean, efficient transit in coastal communities.\n\n\u201cBringing these federal dollars back to New Jersey means cleaner air, less traffic on our busiest routes, and a long-term boost for communities like Highlands,\u201d said Pallone. \u201cThis project is about more than cutting dangerous pollution; it's about strengthening our local economy and supporting sustainable transit solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike. Projects like this put New Jersey on the cutting edge of homegrown, clean energy.\u201d\n\nHeadquartered in Atlantic Highlands, Seastreak operates a vital ferry service for thousands of central New Jerseyans daily. This funding allows the company to take a critical first step in its fleet overhaul, advancing zero-emission technology and setting a national example in coastal air quality improvement. The project also includes workforce development initiatives, such as training partnerships with local schools and industry groups.\n\n\"Seastreak is committed to being the one of the most environmentally friendly passenger ferry operators in the country,\u201d said James D. Barker, Seastreak Vice President. \u201cHigh-speed electric ferry technology is a new and quickly evolving space. With this grant, we are excited to contribute to a new frontier in maritime technology while continuing our efforts to improve air quality within the communities we serve. We\u2019re grateful for Congressman Pallone\u2019s work in Congress to make this project possible.\"\n\nAdditionally, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will receive $344 million to expand zero-emission equipment across port operations. Programs like the ZE Equipment for Ports (ZEEP) Voucher Incentive Program and Green Drayage Accelerator (GDA) will help replace polluting cargo vehicles and install new charging stations to reduce harmful port emissions affecting neighboring communities.\n\nEPA announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion nationwide through EPA\u2019s Clean Ports Program.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,\u201d said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. \u201cToday\u2019s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden\u2019s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions of the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-delivers-549-million-federal-boost-zero-emission-ferry-project-driving"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5386613085865974, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}