The Port of New York and New Jersey is the main gateway for marine cargo on the East Coast, handling the equivalent of 8 million containers annually. Diesel fumes from idling ships at the port contribute to poor health outcomes such as high rates of asthma and heart disease in Newark, Elizabeth and Bayonne. Families shouldn’t pay with their health. Shore power can cut pollution, save lives and create high-road jobs. It’s time to clean up our ports.
The good news? We have a proven solution that has been used around the world: shore power, also known as cold ironing.
At the Port of New York and New Jersey, ships produce 36% of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 53% of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Both pollutants are linked to serious health problems, and most emissions occur while ships sit at berth — closest to nearby communities and dock workers.
In neighborhoods with heavy traffic and port activity, like Newark’s South Ward, up to 30% of children have asthma — and across the New York metro area, transportation-related pollution drives more than 21,000 childhood asthma cases annually.
Shore power protects frontline families by cutting harmful diesel pollution that drives asthma and other pollution-related illnesses. A study found it could reduce fine particle pollution from ships by nearly 70% and prevent at least 16 premature deaths each year, making it a critical environmental justice solution for portside communities like Newark.
Building out shore power creates high-quality jobs in construction, electrical trades and facility maintenance. At the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, installing shore power supported dozens of manufacturing and local installation jobs and generated $22 million in economic activity, strengthening local economies while modernizing port infrastructure.
Shore power cuts climate pollution while keeping the Port of New York and New Jersey competitive in a rapidly decarbonizing shipping industry. By reducing CO₂ emissions and aligning ports with emerging global clean shipping standards, shore power helps future-proof the region’s maritime economy.
We’re fighting for a future where our ports power progress, not pollution. Our campaign brings together frontline communities, environmental justice leaders, labor allies and climate advocates to accelerate shore power adoption at the Port of New York and New Jersey. We call on the Port to:
Explore our work at the Port of New York and New Jersey, where we’re advancing shore power to cut diesel pollution, protect frontline communities, and create high-quality green jobs.
Your support is essential in reducing harmful emissions and protecting communities near the Port of New York and New Jersey. Together, we can drive policies that cut pollution, improve public health and create sustainable jobs — ensuring a safer and cleaner future for the area. Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and join us in shaping a healthier environment for generations to come.