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Restaurants, Hotels, Marinas Sign Up for Port of San Diego Green Business Challenge

Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

If you’re looking for businesses committed to environmental responsibility, look no further than the waterfront of San Diego Bay.

A total of 66 participants – from marinas to shipyards, restaurants and hotels – have registered for the Port of San Diego’s Green Business Challenge. It is a year-long program designed to help the Port’s tenant and subtenant businesses learn how to be more sustainable by using less energy, less water and producing less waste.

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The Port is the first agency on the West Coast to participate in this national effort.

“The Port of San Diego is committed to managing San Diego Bay as a vital natural resource and an economic engine,” said Port Commissioner Lee Burdick. “The Green Business Challenge supports the Port’s long-term vision and strategy of becoming more environmentally sustainable through resource conservation, waste reduction and environmentally sustainable business practices.”

The Port’s challenge 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 is also partnering with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

The 66 participants have access to workshops and information provided by SDG&E and the Port, to help businesses reduce their energy consumption. The most recent one on March 10, provided an introduction about the importance of energy management and the significant amounts of money that businesses can save by making simple, low cost changes.

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 will provide reports on milestones from the challenge.

“We’re very proud of the marinas, boatyards, restaurants and hotels and we encourage people to seek them out,” Burdick said.

Currently, participants are compiling their baseline information by completing their initial scorecards, which are due on April 15.

A complete list of all participants is available at www.greenportchallenge.org.

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.

The 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.