- WRRDA 2014 authorized two opportunities for donor and energy transfer port funding. One allowed for up to $50 million to be available for expanded uses or payments to shippers. Historically, Congress has provided this through funding pot in yearly appropriations. WRDA 2020 §101 increased the amount starting in FY23 to $56 million, increasing by $2 million yearly through FY30.
- The second opportunity called for a percentage of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) allocations to go towards donor and energy transfer port funding, similar to other HMTF targets set forth in the provision. WRDA 2020 §102 amended several of the HMTF related discretionary targets and specifically authorized that to the extent there are identifiable operations and maintenance needs, 12% of HMTF appropriations, to the extent practicable, be made available for expanded uses at donor and energy transfer ports.
- This HTMF target is in addition to the designated funds derived from the General Treasury.
- Per WRDA 2020 §104, donor and energy transfer port eligibility is based on a 3-year average basis for the previous 3 fiscal years, so the list of eligible ports is not static and will change from year to year. Due to timing of budget development and the release of official Waterborne Commerce Data, there is a 2-3 year lag in the data used to do the evaluations.
The list of Eligible Donor and Energy Transfer Ports for Budget Year 2025 may be found here.
Below are links to assist ports in determining if they are eligible of becoming a Donor or Energy Transfer Port.