San Diego Port Commissioners to Review Shore Power Project

Following a 30-day public review period, the Port of San Diego is releasing an environmental document related to the proposed shore power project at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

The final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Port Capital Improvement Project is going to the Board of Port Commissioners for a public hearing at the Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 monthly board meeting. The Board will also consider issuance of a Non-Appealable Coastal Development Permit at the meeting.

The shore power project would allow vessels, such as container ships and refrigerated cargo ships to "plug in" and use electrical power from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), rather than run off their own diesel engines while at berth.

The proposed project would allow modifications necessary to install shore power equipment at three berths located at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

As part of its role of overseeing public lands, the Port is often the lead agency in land use development projects. The Port prepared the Mitigated Negative Declaration – which analyzes environmental impacts for the shore power project – per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Port's main tenant at the terminal, Dole Fresh Fruit Company, recently signed a new long-term lease. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Port and Dole agreed to work together on these infrastructure improvements. The Port is responsible for installing the land-side shore power infrastructure and Dole will pay for the vessel-side improvements.

View the official document HERE.