In recognition for outstanding efforts to promote clean air, the Port of Oakland/Oakland International Airport has been honored by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) as a 2003 Bay Area Clean Air Champion. At a public ceremony on July 16, the 2003 Clean Air Champions were honored for their contributions to cleaner air in the region.
Each year, the BAAQMD requests nominations of individuals or groups who have made exceptional efforts to improve air quality, and who live, work or have a location in the Bay Area. Champions must exert exceptional effort to promote clean air. They must be motivated by a dedication to improving air quality. Their actions must be voluntary and not required by their jobs or by regulations. A selection committee consisting of representatives of the BAAQMD, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association of the Bay Area, RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, and radio stations KCBS All News 74, LIVE 105 and ALICE @ 93.7 reviews the nominations, selects the finalists, personally interviews them and picks the champions.
The Oakland Airport takes pride in being ahead of other airports in the Bay Area, and most airports in the rest of the country, in adopting environmentally-friendly programs. Airport projects that earned the designation of Clean Air Champion include a compressed natural gas (CNG) station that serves the public and the 30 CNG light vans and trucks in the airport's service fleet.
At least 50 percent of taxis, shuttles, and ground service vehicles that operate at the Oakland airport are required to be alternative-fuel vehicles. This requirement is more stringent than for any other airport in Northern California. A fleet of electric vehicles—an electric SUV and 15 smaller electric vehicles—provides service and security at airport parking lots. The airport acquired 30 light-duty electric vehicles, half of which are used by the airport and half by the Port of Oakland. Airport parking lots have 8 electric charging stations for airport and public use. In addition, airlines and other airport tenants are encouraged to adopt environmentally sound practices.
In 1997, the Port of Oakland, which, like the airport, is under the management of the Port of Oakland Authority, began its Vision 2000 Maritime Development Plan for expansion and improvement. Anticipating that construction and operation of the expanded facility would result in an increase in air- polluting emissions that could not be abated, the Plan's Air Quality Mitigation Program pledged $8.98 million toward implementation of measures to offset these emissions.
To minimize air pollution during construction, the Port explored innovative control measures. AC Transit was provided with funds to repower 27 transit buses with lower emitting engines and soot filters. These buses are dedicated to routes serving the port vicinity. Funding was also provided for AC Transit to employ and train residents of neighborhoods impacted by emissions from the Port. A second project involved repowering and retrofitting a tugboat berthed at the Port with a lower-emitting diesel engine. A $5.2 million project to provide partial funding to marine terminal operators to replace or retrofit diesel engines of cargo handling equipment is expected to make a significant reduction in diesel emissions. An ongoing project involves studying ways to reduce diesel emissions of trucks serving terminal operators, especially vehicles based in the Port's neighborhood. (See September/October 1999 and April/May 2001 issues of the Bay Area Monitor for more on the Port's Air Quality Mitigation Program.)
Adelia Sabiston
For more information:
Port of Oakland, Midori Tabata, 510-627-1187; http://www.portofoakland.com
Bay Area Air Quality Management District Clean Air Champions, Luna Salaver, 415-771-6000; http://www.baaqmd.gov