It is all about cleaner air. The Port of San Diego is seeking public input on its Maritime Clean Air Strategy plan. This draft plan discusses a plan of action in transitioning to zero and near-zero emission technologies, reducing pollution in the Port’s jurisdiction and the impacted surrounding communities. The Port held a virtual community hall on April 8, presenting the project and seeking input from the Port’s stakeholders and the community. Public comment on the MCAS closes on April 20. To review the MCAS and submit public comment visit www.portofsandiego.org/mcas.
Chair of the Port Commission Chair Michael Zucchet said that the Port has much to be proud of in respect to initiatives created to clean air. Zucchet said it now has shore power at its cruise ship and cargo terminals, and electrification of equipment. The Port is installing a microgrid to the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, electric vehicle charging stations along San Diego bayfront, and other initiatives.
“But we have a lot more to do,” he said. “MCAS is our next big step, and our blueprint of what to do, when to do it, what is possible, and what is the priority as we transition, and even accelerate to more efficient, modern, and sustainable maritime operations.”
Zucchet said the MCAS is the “centerpiece” of the Port’s commitment to making clean air its priority.
“This is not going to be a report that collects dust on a shelf,” he said. “It is essentially an action plan where the Port is going to be the leader and make real progress now on this issue. The MCAS is also important to clarify the role of the Port in supporting our tenants, terminal operators with this transition to zero and near zero emission technologies.”
Port Commissioner Sandy Naranjo (National City) said the MCAS is a guiding document that will assist port commissioners with identifying, prioritizing and implementing emission reduction initiatives in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Naranjo said this is particularly important as it supports emission reduction efforts being advanced as part of the portside environmental justice neighborhoods.
Assembly Bill 617 Community Emission Reduction Plan is is Barrio Logan, West National City, Logan Heights and Sherman Heights. The reason these specific communities were selected is that CalEnviroScreen developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency shows communities that have accumulative impacts, communities that are overburdened with toxic pollution. It accounts for different factors, including poverty, and linguistic isolation.
“Barrio Logan is ranked in the top 5%. The most polluted community in California,” said Naranjo. “National City is about 10-15% most polluted. When AB617 was passed, it directed the state when it gave money to air districts across the state it directed these air agencies to say that they are going to include the community in the process.”
“That became the bill, became the law,” she continued. “When it came for funding, you had different communities across California, and fortunately San Diego was selected. We had our first meeting in fall, 2018.”
Naranjo said MCAS is working as a complimentary effort with the AB617 – Portside Community Steering Committee. The objective of the committee is to produce that CERP.
“For us to discuss how we are going to meet the goals in the CERP, what is the Port doing? That is where the MCAS, the Port using its authority on how we are going to reduce toxic air pollution. That is why we are specifically talking about operations. The scope of the MCAS is looking at the operations of Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and National City Marine Terminal,” she said.
“The map is the guide for our state legislators to know where the pollution is happening and how can we help these communities, and many of these communities are communities of color,” she continued. “MCAS is an important policy because we as the Port can literally take a problem that we know that has plagued our poor coastal communities of color and say, ‘This is the steps that we are going to take to address this long-term issue.”
Naranjo said the steering committee held a series of meeting with stakeholders and the community before the MCAS draft.
“So, residents, nonprofits, representatives from different agencies, members from the Port’s Tenant Association, business groups, labor unions, and community residents come together to learn how they can get involved and influence the drafting of this document,” she said.
“That means looking at innovative ways of how we are going to tackle this issue. It will not be just one simple solution,” she said. “That is why it looks into different areas. It looks at cargo handling equipment, commercial harbor craft, heavy duty trucks, the Port’s fleet, shipyards, ocean going vessels and freight rail. Those are the objective in the plan.”
