Aug 11 | 2021
(Americas) Port’s Vision: ‘Health Equity for All’
The Port of San Diego has established a vision of “Healthy Equity for All,” in a new draft of the California port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy.
An update to the port’s 2007 Clean Air Program, the draft policy document draws from a range of stakeholders and the public, will guide the port in identifying future projects and initiatives to provide cleaner air for those who live, work and play on and around the San Diego Bay, while serving efficient, modern maritime operations, the port authority said in an Aug. 5 release.
Nearly all of the draft revised MCAS goals and objectives extend beyond California requirements. Key objectives include:
• Sets a zero emission policy for all cargo trucks calling at the Port of San Diego cargo maritime terminals by 2030, exceeding state requirements by five years.• Requires that 20 percent of the port’s annual cargo truck trips must be performed by zero-emission, or ZE, trucks by June 30, 2026.
• The port would create a truck registry or other system to document annual truck trips to the marine cargo terminals and monitor efforts to achieve its goals.
• All cargo-handling equipment will also be ZE by 2030.
• Implementing the first all-electric tugboat in the U.S. by June 30. The eTug would help reduce diesel particulate matter transmissions.
• Collaborate with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, or SDAPCD, on its Portside Air Quality Improvement and Relief, or PAIR, program. This would include contributing Port Maritime Industrial Impact Fund for the SDAPCD to purchase and install portable air filtration devices at participating portside community residences.
• Doubling shore power for cruise ships by 2023 and adding shore power or alternative technology to reduce ocean-going emissions at berth at the National City Marine Terminal by 2025.
Other benefits include improved health, job creation, ambient noise reduction, urban greening, ecosystem enhancement, knowledge and capacity building, education and training and improve access to the San Diego Bay, the port said.
It addresses emission sources from: cargo-handling equipment, commercial harbor craft, shipyards, heavy-duty trucks, the port’s fleet, oceangoing vessels, and rail.
Port staff anticipates summarizing feedback from the public review period and presenting to the port board in October, to seek final approval of the MCAS document.
The draft revised MCAS is available for review. Written feedback is accepted through Sept. 3. The port will hold an MCAS Virtual Update on Aug. 26.
Previous plans to guide investments investments and new technologies include plans like the Clean Air Plan (2007), Climate Action Plan (2013), and the Final Environmental Impact Report for Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) Redevelopment Plan and corresponding TAMT Redevelopment Plan (2016).
