Environmental Health Coalition

Port Commits $7.5 Million to Clean Air
Press Release
July 8, 2009

(San Diego) – On Tuesday, the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners allocated more than $7 million to create an infrastructure that will allow cruise and cargo ships to plug into shore power while docked at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in Barrio Logan and the Cruise Ship Terminal in downtown San Diego.

This project would eliminate the need for ships to idle their diesel engines, reducing the amount of dirty diesel emissions that drift into neighboring communities. The decision ensures that these port terminals will comply with California air regulations at least two years earlier than the 2014 deadline.

“A million thanks to you – you made the right decision,” said Barrio Logan resident Maria Martinez. An Environmental Health Coalition leader, Martinez has worked with other residents who live near the Port for more than three years, educating them about the health risks from diesel pollution and working with EHC and the Port to find solutions.

Idling ships docked at the port produce significant amounts of diesel pollution and greenhouse gases, which impact air quality and health in nearby neighborhoods and contribute to climate change. The two projects will eliminate over 650,000 lbs of nitrogen oxides and 18,000 lbs of diesel particulate matter in its first three years of operation. It is the most substantial Clean Air investment that the Port has made in its effort to reduce its environmental impacts on neighboring communities and the region.

Documented levels of particulate matter in Barrio Logan are second only to Otay Mesa, which is subjected to truck traffic near the border. Particulate pollution levels in Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights are more than 1,000% higher than the county average, and more than 250% higher than any other census tract in the county, except for West National City, which is home to San Diego County’s other port maritime terminal. As a result of these emissions and a concentration of other polluting industries, asthma hospitalization rates for children in these neighborhoods are 54% above the county average. Recent studies also indicate that diesel particulate matter contributes to an elevated cancer risk in these neighborhoods.

“This decision is a monumental victory for Barrio Logan and other Port communities. It sets the stage for reducing the largest source of diesel emissions at the Port,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of EHC. “Barrio Logan persisted in their demands that the Port take action to protect their health. They never, ever accepted the premise that there were no solutions. Thanks to the community’s dedication and tireless work, we’ve taken a significant first step towards improving air quality for the entire San Diego region.”