Bay Eelgrass Blue Carbon Study, which was funded by the U.S. Maritime Administration,
or MARAD, Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program; an update on the
progress to entitle the wetland Mitigation Bank at Pond 20; and an update on the Port's
Environmental Education Program. Commissioner Castellanos announced that the next
EAC meeting is planned for December 7, 2022.
Commissioner Castellanos announced that on September 15, 2022, he and fellow
Commissioner Urtasun facilitated a Maritime Stakeholder Forum. Commissioner
Castellanos shared that presentations were given on the Maritime Clear Air Strategy
(MCAS) electrification efforts underway; work towards achieving some regional
zero-emission charging infrastructure for heavy duty trucks; and updates on the Port's
cruise and cargo business lines. Commissioner Castellanos also congratulated Maritime
staff for their work on cargo business opportunities which allows steady work for
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), pilots, tug and barge partners and
many others.
F. Commissioners’ Reports.
Commissioner Naranjo provided a report on three informational items from the September
Transportation Committee of the San Diego Association of Governments. Commissioner
Naranjo shared that the first item is a summary of the Bayshore Bikeway, Barrio Logan
segment, of bikerider accomodations and best methods to improve bicyclist and
pedestrian safety on Harbor Drive during construction of a 2.5-mile segment that
stretches between Downtown San Diego and National City; the second item discussed
was the Southbay to Sorrento Comprehensive Multimodal Portal Plan; the last item was
the realignment of the freight and passenger rail tracks away from the Del Mar Bluffs.
Commissioner Naranjo explained that the rail link is of vital importance to the Port, as car
importer Pasha Automotive relies on it to transport imported vehicles from the National
City Marine Terminal.
Commissioner Naranjo announced that the monthly AB 617 Portside Community Steering
Committee meeting was held on September 27, 2022. Commissioner Naranjo reported on
three items of interest on the agenda: Staff from the San Diego Air Pollution Control
District (APCD) gave an update on community emissions monitoring; APCD Staff
presented the Annual Community Emission Reduction Plan Progress Report for the 2022
reporting period (June 2021 - July 2022); and Port Staff presented the results of a
Request for Information (RFI) regarding Zero Emission Infrastructure for Heavy-Duty
Trucks Serving the Port and San Diego. Commissioner Naranjo then reported that
Maggie Weber from the Port's Energy and Policy team provided the presentation
summarizing the responses that were obtained from a recent RFI released over the
summer which solicited information regarding the development and operation of sites
where zero emission infrastructure such as charging stations and/or hydrogen fueling
stations could be sited.
Commissioner Naranjo also reported on the Global Clean Energy Action Forum,
convened by the US Department of Energy, where clean energy leaders from around the
globe are united to accelerate the clean energy transition while responding to global
security needs. This forum featured high level plenary topical round tables with experts
such as: Jennifer Granholm, Secretary, US Department of Energy; John Kerry, U.S.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Bill Gates; Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO; and
Ramon Cruz, President of Sierra Club. Commissioner Naranjo added that she was
honored to be a featured speaker on the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Platform & Ports for
People - Accelerating Action panel, which focused on the critical role of maritime in the
global transition from the use of fossil fuels to zero emissions.
Commissioner Naranjo then shared that she was invited by San Diego County Supervisor
Vice Chair, Nora Vargas, to be a guest speaker on the Clean Air Day Panel. Also on the
panel were: Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition; Lisa