Newark Advocates Press Port Authority to Deliver on Clean Ports Promises

Seven Newark residents and advocates told Port Authority commissioners on Sept. 24, 2026, that federally funded clean-air work in their neighborhoods is stalling, with two community-focused pieces of an EPA Clean Ports award not yet started halfway through its three-year timeline. The board made no commitments in response. It then approved 11 resolutions, including up to $1.9B in Midtown Bus Terminal financing and about $208M for airport and PATH work, without a single commissioner question.

• Seven Newark speakers demand clean shore power, a community advisory council and quarterly Clean Ports reporting.
• Current and former AGI workers allege unsafe conditions and unpaid wages and urge responsible-contractor standards at all three major airports.
• Up to $1.9B in Midtown Bus Terminal notes and about $208M in capital work pass unanimously with no debate.
• New Terminal One lease amended, shifting JFK construction milestones in exchange for $75M in added rent, per the agenda.
• Summer airport traffic falls 4.6% while PATH ridership climbs 11%; a PATH engineer disputes how World Cup staffing was handled.
• Jessica S. Gummerman elected Secretary as two veteran leaders retire.

The basics: Shore power lets docked ships plug into the electric grid instead of idling their engines. The EPA's Clean Ports Program funds port emissions work, including community planning.