DATE: September 14, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA CLEAN AIR DAY, A PROJECT OF THE COALITION FOR CLEAN AIR, ON OCTOBER 6, 2021
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Since 2018, the Coalition for Clean Air has sponsored California Clean Air Day, an opportunity for individuals, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to pledge a commitment to take actions to help improve air quality in communities throughout the state. Participating in California Clean Air Day provides a unique opportunity to engage community stakeholders and to commit to actions to help improve air quality. California Clean Air Day is built on the idea that shared experiences unite people to action to improve our community health. By joining together for a unified day of action, participants can create new habits to improve air quality for all members of California’s diverse communities. This year California Clean Air Day will be celebrated on October 6, 2021.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution proclaiming support for California Clean Air Day, October 6, 2021.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
This agenda item has no fiscal impact.
Compass Strategic Goals:
This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A Port that the public understands and trusts.
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
• A Port that is a safe place to visit, work and play.
DISCUSSION:
Since 2018, the Coalition for Clean Air has sponsored California Clean Air Day, an opportunity for individuals, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to pledge a commitment to take simple actions to help improve air quality in communities throughout the state. Participating in California Clean Air Day provides a unique opportunity to engage community stakeholders and to pledge actions that decrease pollution and implement practices that improves air quality. California Clean Air Day is built on the idea that shared experiences unite people to action to improve our community health. By joining together for a unified day of action, participants can create new habits to improve air quality for all members of California’s diverse communities. This year California Clean Air Day will be celebrated on October 6, 2021.
Government agencies that take the organizational pledge are encouraged to identify actions to reduce air pollution. The web-based pledge form is attached to this agenda sheet. (Attachment A). Examples of actions recommended in the pledge include adopting a resolution recognizing Clean Air Day, providing digital and social media outreach, and making commitments to convert fleet vehicles to cleaner technologies and fuels. Organizations will be assigned a specific code that their employees can use when making their own individual Clean Air Pledges, allowing organizations to generate a report summarizing the number of employees who participated. Participating organizations will be listed on the California Clean Air Day website (www.cleanairday.org).
The District has actively worked to decrease its environmental footprint and pollution. Through investments such as shorepower to decrease vessel emissions while at berth and installation of solar panels at District buildings, the District has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions 18 percent since 2006. The District also encourages programs to assist employees to choose alternate transportation options to commute to work through reimbursements for public transit passes and vanpools. Furthermore, each September, the District celebrates Green Port Month, which focuses on providing resources and education to its employees to reduce their resource consumption.
This year, the District is developing a Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) with an overarching vision of “Health Equity for All”. The draft MCAS contains goals and objectives to deploy zero emission vehicles and equipment used to transport freight to and from the District’s marine cargo terminals; demonstrate state of the art electric tugboats and other watercraft; and convert the District’s fleet of vehicles to zero emissions by the end of the decade. As such, the District’s development of the MCAS supports the goals of California Clean Air Day and its pledge to action.
In 2020, California Clean Air Day had: 1.6 million participants, up 246% from 650,000 in 2019; 6 million social media impressions, up 632% from 950,000 in 2019; participants from all 50 California counties and 11 city leaders; 3.1 million actions to improve the air, up 248% from 1.25 million actions in 2019; 81 virtual and physically distanced events; and finally, 530 pledged companies and organizations engaged in their employees and communities for clean air.
Some of the local San Diego participants already signed up to take the pledge in 2021 include the Center for Sustainable Energy, Chair Nathan Fletcher of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Cleantech San Diego, Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego, San Diego Air Pollution Control District, San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, The San Diego Foundation, and UC San Diego. The San Diego Unified Port District wishes to join this list and show support for California Clean Air Day by taking the Clean Air Pledge to commit to do its part to clean the air, through actions big and small.
Staff recommends the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment B) and authorize the District’s Executive Officer or their duly authorized representative to complete the clean air pledge in support of California Clean Air Day. If authorized, the District will pledge to actions that urge employees to sign their own pledges, promote California Clean Air Day through social media, and advance the development of the MCAS.
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of the General Counsel has reviewed this agenda sheet and attachments as presented to it as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
The proposed Board action, including without limitation, a resolution proclaiming support of California Clean Air Day, does not constitute a “project” under the definition set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 because it will not have a potential to result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and is, therefore, not subject to CEQA. No further action under CEQA is required.
The proposed Board action complies with Sections 21 and 35 of the Port Act, which allow the Board to pass resolutions and to do all acts necessary and convenient for the exercise of its powers. The Port Act was enacted by the California Legislature and is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine. Consequently, the proposed Board action is consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine.
The proposed Board action does not allow for “development,” as defined in Section 30106 of the California Coastal Act, or “new development,” pursuant to Section 1.a. of the District’s Coastal Development Permit Regulations. Therefore, issuance of a Coastal Development Permit or exclusion is not required.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
This agenda item has no direct DEI impact.
PREPARED BY:
Phil Gibbons
Program Manager, Planning
Maggie Weber
Senior Planner, Planning
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Clean Air Pledge Form
Attachment B: Resolution Supporting California Clean Air Day