The awards were presented during the 32nd International WorkBoat Show on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Green Port 2010-2011 Year in Review (1.68 MB)
The Port of San Diego was the only entrant representing the public sector and was the first public sector winner in the four-year history of the awards.
The International WorkBoat Show is the largest commercial marine tradeshow in North America serving people and businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters. The environmental awards recognize businesses and government agencies operating in the U.S. maritime industry that have successfully incorporated environmentally sustainable practices into their operations.
The category was open to businesses and government agencies that exemplify innovative and effective environmental process initiatives, which go well beyond state and federal mandates.
“The Port of San Diego is honored to receive this award in recognition of our Green Port Program,” said Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners Scott Peters. “For nearly 50 years, the Port has been an environmental steward for San Diego Bay.
Peters said a current focus of the Port District is planning for predictions of climate change and sea level rise.
“The Port’s commitment to environmental stewardship cuts across the entire organization,” said Bruce Buls, WorkBoat magazine technical editor and one of the award judges. “We were particularly impressed with the Port’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan. No one else is looking to the future to anticipate a rise in sea level and coming up with strategies to respond.”
The Port’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan is a process that will help the Port identify, assess and develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address areas in our region that may be vulnerable to climate change. The Plan addresses a variety of strategies dealing with sea level rise, water reuse and conservation, beach erosion and energy demand. It will be a critical tool for future planning and development on the lands surrounding San Diego Bay.
The Green Port Program, which was started in 2008, is designed to put the Port District’s environmental goals into practice. Since its inception, the Port of San Diego has received more than $4.2 million in grant funding, which has helped pay for the installation of equipment to power docked cruise ships by an electrical source, and to provide financial assistance for truck operators to install special diesel-emissions filters or replace older model vehicles.
“This year, we launched our ‘Green Business Challenge’- an innovative program that helps Port tenants reduce their environmental impact. The Port also makes ongoing efforts to reduce air emissions through a Clean Truck Program and other Clean Air efforts. We are committed to continued excellence in environmental management,” Peters added.
David Matsuda, Maritime Administrator for the United States Department of Transportation, was the keynote speaker at the event.
There were a total of eight submissions in the Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan category. Other nominees included Alcatraz Cruises, Ray Ship & Yacht Company, Bollinger Shipyards, Gunderson Marine, LLC, Ingram Marine Group, Pacific Whale Foundation and Plaquemines Parish Ferry System.
A record 13,000 visitors and exhibitors from 45 states and 27 countries attended the WorkBoat Show. The International WorkBoat show is produced by Diversified Business Communications.
The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego.
The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.