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Board Passes Resolution Declaring September “Green Port Month”

Monday, 22 September 2008

To recognize the environmental achievements associated with its Green Ports Program, the Board of Port Commissioners signed a proclamation naming September "Green Port Month."

Some of the achievements include the completion of 10 environmental projects that are included in the Green Port Program. The program includes 23 projects, which are all scheduled for completion by December 2008. Here are some of the highlights of the recent environmental accomplishments:

• The Port is participating in an incentive program through the Metropolitan Water District that will facilitate the purchase of water-efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems that are expected to conserve up to five million gallons of water and save $12,000 annually.
• The completion of a draft environmental buying program that will be presented to the Board in December 2008 for approval. The program will allow the Port to seek out products it uses in its operations that are both environmentally safe and the most cost effective.
• Establishment of a partnership with SDG&E, which includes its assistance with incorporating energy efficiency and alternative energy technology within Port operations.
• Diverting 100 pounds of food waste per week from the Port's employee 
  restaurant, Café Olé from the Miramar landfill. This was accomplished by starting a composting program at the Port's Administration building.
• Initiating the Clean Trucks Program, which will help retrofit or replace older trucks that do business at the Port to reduce emissions. The Port obtained nearly $5 million in grant funding for shore power infrastructure at the Cruise Ship Terminal and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminals.
• The development of an award program that will recognize Port tenants who are taking exceptional measures to reduce their environmental impact.

To help kick off the Green Port Month, three Port employees were honored for their environmental achievements at the September 2 Board meeting. They were Sergeant Gary Leeson of the Harbor Police, Craig Sweeting of General Services and Dave Thompson of Procurement Services.

Sgt. Leeson was honored for renovating the Harbor Police Department's dog run by installing artificial grass. This eliminated the need for watering and the use of fertilizer. In addition, the artificial grass requires no maintenance, which cuts out noisy lawn equipment. Sgt. Leeson was also recognized for retrofitting the air conditioning system in the Port vehicles that transport K-9 units. When the K-9s are in the vehicles, the temperature must always remain comfortable. Sgt. Leeson's retrofit eliminated the need to keep the vehicle engines running to power up the air conditioning.

Craig Sweeting has been instrumental in several energy-conserving projects at the Port. He works with the Port's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system at the Administration Building. In addition, Craig spearheaded the Port's employee gardening program. Craig was also a leader in the program to compost food waste from the Port's employee restaurant, Café Olé.

Dave Thompson was honored for initiating the new environmentally preferable procurement program. This program allows the Port to seek out products it uses in its operations that are both environmentally safe and the most cost effective.

Congratulations to these exemplary employees on their leadership and environmental accomplishments!