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Registration Open for Port of San Diego Green Business Challenge

Friday, 21 January 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

When it comes to the environment, many of the businesses along San Diego Bay that make up the San Diego Port Tenants Association are on the cutting edge.

At the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina on Harbor Island, for example, the hotel's energy comes from a fuel cell. Harbor Island West Marina, Half Moon Marina on Shelter Island and Pier 32 Marina in National City, all use marine trash skimmers – similar to a swimming pool skimmer – to filter the water, scooping trash for disposal or recycling. And Sun Harbor Marina has a lot to boast about – it is the first LEED-certified marina in the world.

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The Port of San Diego is encouraging other waterfront businesses to improve their sustainability practices by enrolling in the Green Business Challenge, a year-long program to help tenant businesses to use less energy, less water and produce less waste.

"In return, we can expect lower cost, higher productivity, customer and employee loyalty and a healthier community for all," Lisa Shaffer a lecturer at the UCSD Rady School of Management, told more than 75 tenants at the Port's kickoff of the Green Business Challenge on Thursday, Jan. 20. The event was held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

Port Commissioner Lee Burdick, who serves on the Port's Environmental Advisory Committee, said starting this program among San Diego Bay businesses is the right place to begin because many tenants already are involved in going green.

"Your businesses will be among the first on the West Coast to participate in this national effort," Burdick said at the kickoff.

The challenge, designed to help businesses reduce their water and energy use, is modeled after a 2009 program started for the City of Chicago by ICLEI, formerly known as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

Besides ICLEI, the Port partners include San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). SDG&E along with the Port will provide workshops and information to help the businesses reduce their energy consumption. Rebates also will be available.

The Port has also entered into a partnership with KGTV Channel 10 as part of their Sustain San Diego program. Channel 10 news reporter Phoebe Chongchua, who emceed the kickoff event, explained that through Sustain San Diego, 10News has the opportunity to feature many events and businesses along with people who are champions for environmental sustainability.

Tenants will be included in a marketing and communications campaign aimed at promoting the challenge and they will be honored at an event toward the end of the year.

The Port of San Diego is a steward for San Diego Bay, managing its valuable social, economic and environmental assets. Today, San Diego Bay is a thriving natural resource that supports our regional economy and enviable quality of life. Achieving a balance among the many uses of the Bay requires a long-term comprehensive approach to environmental management.

A Green Port Program was developed by the Port of San Diego to support the goals of the Green Port Policy that was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners in 2008.