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The Port of San Diego has passed a policy document aimed at offsetting health improvements in the community with cleaner air while supporting efficient and modern maritime businesses and jobs.
SAN DIEGO – The Port of San Diego’s Board of Port Commissioners has adopted a policy document to help the port launch future projects and initiatives to improve health through a cleaner air strategy. This policy will benefit all who live, work and play in and around San Diego Bay while supporting efficient and modern maritime operations. The Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) lives up to its mission “Health Justice for All” and is an example of the port’s commitment to environmental justice. Almost all of the MCAS goals and targets exceed the requirements currently required by California.
The board of the port commissions started developing the MCAS in June 2019. As an update to the port’s Clean Air Program in 2007, the port began in March 2020 in close coordination and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders – community residents, industry, businesses, public institutions and non-governmental organizations. The Port of San Diego is not required to have a maritime clean air strategy and has developed this document to demonstrate its commitment to clean, modern, and sustainable maritime and freight transport, said Gabriella Rodriguez, public relations officer at the port of San Diego.
MCAS is highlighting a goal focused on health equity with great anticipation of the 2030 goals. These goals will help improve air quality as an update to the port’s 2007 Clean Air Program. In support of the 2030 targets, the MCAS sets more specific, short-term emission reduction targets and targets to be achieved within the next five-year period between 2021 and June 30, 2026. In addition, the MCAS identifies approximately 34 potential projects, partnerships, initiatives and studies related to the short-term goals and objectives.
One of the constituents of the MACS goals that exceed the state’s requirements is a goal that by 2030, 100 percent of the trucks calling at the cargo terminals of the Port of San Diego will be zero-emission vehicles. This goal will exceed government requirements by five years, and in some cases even more. According to Rodriguez, port workers are in the process of putting together a truck transition plan that will be presented at the next board meeting on November 9th.
In addition, by June 30, 2026, an interim target of 40 percent of the port’s annual freight-truck journeys with emission-free trucks is to be carried out; the goal of 100 percent of cargo handling equipment to be emission-free by 2030; to facilitate implementation of the first all-electric tug in the United States by June 30, 2026 and to contribute dollars from the Port Maritime Industrial Impact Fund to purchase and install new portable air filtration devices from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) participating Portside Community Residences.
“Our neighbors in the Portside Community, as well as our Working Waterfront and our visitors, deserve to breathe clean air,” said Chairman Michael Zucchet, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, in a port press release on Oct. 14, The Maritime Clean Air Strategy clearly defines what our goals, aspirations and expectations are for ourselves and for the people who do and want to do business with the Port of San Diego. “
“The MCAS enables us and our tenants to receive government grants and investments in clean air and electrified heavy trucks,” said Zucchet. “The Port of San Diego has already shown itself to be a leader in this area with shore power and other clean air equipment and infrastructure, and the MCAS is our roadmap for how we can complete this task in the years to come.”
Generous community and stakeholder participation has become the foundation of MCAS, according to a press release from the Port of San Diego. The port began developing the goals and objectives of the MCAS in March 2020. As a result, the port has been in close communication and collaboration with many stakeholders, including local residents, industry, businesses, public institutions and non-governmental organizations.
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