US port is one step closer to sustainability

The Port of San Diego’s Board of Port Commissioners has approved a US$700,000 agreement with 72 Hour LLC, DBA National Auto Fleet Group. The emissions produced from renewable diesel do not result in a net increase of C02 emissions because renewable diesel is produced by biogenic waste products that would have decayed and produced C02 emissions elsewhere, said the port.

“The use of renewable diesel will help the Port meet its Climate Action Plan goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions along San Diego Bay and its tidelands,” said Garry Bonelli, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “The Port’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased 13 percent since 2006 and the purchase of these vehicles will help to further decrease air pollution.”

Vehicles included in the agreement include one 10-yard dump truck; two ¾-ton crew cab pick-up trucks; one ¾-ton utility gardener truck; one ¾-ton crew cab stake bed truck; one long-bed cargo stake truck; and one refuse packer/loader.

The agreement also includes two gasoline-powered mid-sized SUVs that will replace two older fleet vehicles. The newer SUVs will be more gasoline efficient and will therefore produce less air emissions than the older vehicles.

Port staff researched the feasibility of purchasing alternative fuel SUVs, but said this segment of the market did not offer sufficient options based on staff’s current equipment needs.