The Port of San Diego continued efforts to align with its role as environmental steward throughout the year, providing areview of notable 2014 climate and energy achievements to the Board of Port Commissioners on December 9, 2014, in support of the Climate Action Plan. The plan incorporates economic, social and environmental considerations into business decisions and planning, and provides goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions moving forward; it wasadopted by the Commission in December of 2013. The Port has achieved over 50% of its 2020 goal for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

“The Climate Action Plan captures all of the Port’s energy conservation efforts, and ensures we are integrating Green Port values into our daily operations,” said Port Chairman Bob Nelson. “Our 2014 achievements have given us a great head start on reducing our footprint and achieving our long-term environmental stewardship goals.”

2014 Climate & Energy Achievements

• Cities as Systems – The Port is participating in the CleanTECH concept being implemented throughout the San Diego region to monitor and manage energy use in buildings in order to increase efficiencies through a collective and strategic approach to the use of the region’s energy supply.
• Port Operations – The Port embarked upon energy efficiency upgrades, which all combined will reduce energy consumption by a grand total of 673,000 kWh per year, saving $116,400 annually and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 464 metric tons per year.
  • LED Street Lights – The Port installed 300 LED Street Lights as part of the Phase I of the Major Maintenance exterior lighting retrofit project. Phase II will replace 296 additional lighting fixtures and will be completed by the end of January 2015.
  • Parking Lot Lights – The Port will also retrofit 28 exterior parking lot lights with energy efficient lights as part of a financing project through SDG&E, also scheduled for completion at the end of January 2015.
  • Interior Lights – Over 1,700 interior light fixtures will be replaced in the Port Administration building through the same project.
• Tenant Operations – Significant energy achievements have also been accomplished by tenants through the Port’s Green Business Network program. Through various activities such as HVAC retrofits, lighting upgrades, and waste diversion programs the network has reduced energy consumption by 2,500,000 kWh per year, saving $450,000 annually and 137,258 therms per year, saving $123,532 annually. These actions reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,452 metric tons per year.

Additionally, the Board approved the following actions at the December 9 board meeting to support the Green Port environmental stewardship operations and values moving forward.

Climate Action Plan Implementation

The Board authorized an agreement with Environ International in the amount of $88,000 to provide technical assistance to the Port which will allow continued implementation of the Climate Action Plan and completion of the update to the Port’s greenhouse gas inventory. The inventory measures the emissions of Port operations, as well as all tenant operations, which will inform strategies for reduction.

SDG&E Energy Efficiency Partnership

The Board approved the extension of the Energy Efficiency Partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric through 2015, increasing the total reimbursement amount to $2,078,520 for 2013-2015. The program includes education and outreach for staff and tenants, and funds Port operations energy management and climate planning, as well as technical assistance for over 80 tenants participating in the Port’s Green Business Network for energy and cost saving activities.

Earth Day on the Bay Sponsorship

The Board approved a special sponsorship of the Maritime Museum’s proposed event, Earth Day on the Bay, scheduled for April 26, 2015. The event will provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate and contemplate the waters of planet Earth, and our relationship to those waters as users and stewards. Earth Day on the Bay will include an educational component for attendees to learn more about how to care for the bay, a priority for the Port’s Tidelands Activation Program.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is a unified district encompassing five member cities surrounding San Diego Bay. A public agency, the Port is charged by the State of California with developing the tidelands and commercial business as steward of the public-trust tidelands along 34 miles of San Diego Bay. We share the waterfront with the Navy, which oversees 17 miles of San Diego Bay.

We operate under the Public Trust Doctrine, which specifies that these waterways and waterfronts are primarily reserved for water-dependent uses such as fishing, cargo activity, bay tours and recreational access such as hotels and restaurants; as well as environmental and natural-habitat preservation.

We have guided the development of this prime waterfront property with a carefully selected portfolio of world-class commercial real estate, maritime and public uses. Our 16 hotels, 25 marinas, numerous restaurants, tours and museum attractions operate side-by-side with a working waterfront of boatyards, sportfishing landings and marine cargo terminals. We also maintain 20 public parks as amenities that attract visitors and enhance the value of our waterfront.