Oakland builds on clean air commitment

Shore power at the Port of Oakland is a two-phase, multi-year programme covering 11 berths. Construction of a new electrical infrastructure system is now complete, with final testing due to be finished next month.

Earl S Hamlin, Board second vice president, Port of Oakland, said: “We just completed an inventory of 2012 emissions to check on our progress, and we have already reduced maritime-related diesel particulate emissions by 70%.”

“Today we mark another step in our ongoing commitment to clean air and healthy communities. With our shore power project we expect to knock another 11 tonnes of diesel particulate matter out of the air. We thank all of our partners for helping us reach today’s milestone,” he added.

In 2008, Oakland Board of Port Commissioners committed to reducing health-risk from seaport-related diesel emissions by 95% by 2020 from a 2005 baseline.

The port’s clean air project will help customers comply with California’s new regulation and dramatically cut air pollutant emissions from berthed vessels.

The estimated project cost is US$60m and the port and private sector combined estimated cost for just the shoreside infrastructure is around US$70m.

US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) contributed US$12.8m to the shore project.

Up to an additional US$20m was awarded to the port by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)/Federal Highway Administration.