BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Operations at the Port of Bellingham’s downtown shipping terminal could be getting cleaner and quieter thanks to a recent grant.

Washington state has awarded Port Electrification Grants to 11 ports across Washington using over $26 million in funds from its Carbon Commitment Act.

The Port of Bellingham is receiving a $2.8 million grant to construct shore power that will let ships plug into an electrical grid instead of using diesel-powered engines while they are docked at the terminal in Bellingham Bay.

The Port says this will allow ships to turn off any onboard generators, which will “significantly” reduce noise levels and carbon emissions coming from the waterfront terminal.

The project is one component of the Port’s plans to modernize its Bellingham Shipping Terminal.

The Port expects the electrification to be finished by 2026.