During its April 15 Board of Port Commissioners meeting, the
Port of San Diego honored 78 of its tenant businesses for exemplary
environmental achievements related to participation in the port’s Green Business
Network.
The network is a voluntary program that encourages
businesses to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability into their daily
operations. The program, which was implemented in 2010, is a partnership
between the Port of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric. It offers free
resources that help participating tenants reduce their consumption of water and
energy, as well as reduce waste on tidelands.
“The success of our Green Business Network is documented in
real results that represent significant energy savings and valuable rebates,”
Board of Port Commissioners Chair Bob Nelson said.
Among the honorees during the Commission meeting was
Continental Maritime, one of the port’s ship repair tenants. In 2013,
Continental completed an assessment and upgrade to its exterior lighting. The
business switched to LED bulbs, which helped it reduce energy use by 59
percent. It also saved 89,000 kilowatt hours and $19,000 in reduced energy
costs.
Another ship repair tenant, BAE Systems, was recognized for achieving
a three percent reduction in its energy use from the previous year with its
“Clean, Lean and Green” environmental sustainability program. The business also
recycles 100 percent of its office paper, metal and abrasive blasting material,
according to the port.
In all, the port said, participating tenant businesses
earned about $253,000 in energy and natural gas rebate incentives in 2013. They
saved nearly 2.5 million kilowatt hours and more than 137,000 therms, the
equivalent to powering 154 homes for a year.
