Port of San Diego again doubles funding to Maritime Industrial Impact Fund, expands eligible projects

May 16, 2024 — As a result of public and stakeholder input, the Board of Port Commissioners has voted to double funding to the Port of San Diego’s Maritime Industrial Impact Fund (MIIF), the second funding increase in less than a year, as well as to expand the type of projects eligible under the program. The MIIF has supported numerous efforts in communities adjacent to the Port’s maritime industry and terminals, such as a free electric community shuttle, youth programs, bicycle infrastructure, air quality improvements, noise reduction efforts, and more.

“The Maritime Industrial Impact Fund is one of the many ways we deliver on our promise to be good neighbors,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We are already investing in the health of our communities with nearly $120 million spent on or dedicated to clean air projects. By doubling funding for and expanding our MIIF, we can do even more to improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and play on and around San Diego Bay.”

Established by the Board in 2010, the MIIF was originally funded with $500,000. In 2017, the Board updated the policy to commit one-half of one percent (.5%) of the Port’s annual gross maritime industrial revenue to the program. In June 2023, the Board voted to increase the annual funding to 2% of the Port’s annual gross maritime industrial revenue. At its most recent meeting, the Board voted to again increase the annual funding, this time to 4% of the Port’s annual gross maritime industrial revenue. At the latest rate, approximately $1.5 million will be directed into the MIIF in Fiscal Year 2025. The fund’s current balance is nearly $1.1 million.

In addition to the funding increase, the Board authorized expanding the program to include maritime electrification efforts such as electric trucks and infrastructure.

To date, the Port has directed approximately $2.6 million from the MIIF to reduce and mitigate maritime-related impacts for those in Barrio Logan and West National City. Examples of MIIF-funded projects and programs include the Free Ride Around National City (FRANC) electric shuttle program; air filters at Perkins K-8 School in Barrio Logan; air filters for residents living adjacent to the industrial bayfront; support for the Monarch School Garden and Nutrition Program; contribution to the Bayshore Bikeway segment in National City; the Port’s Barrio Logan Nighttime Noise Study; and more.

Impacts covered under MIIF include diminished air quality; visual impacts; excessive noise; heavy movement of vehicles or equipment through adjacent residential or commercial areas; or disproportionate degradation or use of public infrastructure, such as roads, streets, or sidewalks. Port member cities and public entities may propose projects for MIIF consideration. Proposed projects must show a nexus between maritime operations on tidelands and off-tidelands impacts that a specific project is expected to mitigate.

The MIIF is one of many of the Port’s environmental justice initiatives to reduce maritime and industrial impacts in the Portside Communities. To date, the Port has spent or committed nearly $120 million on electrification and emissions reduction technologies, including shore power, an all-electric dual mobile harbor crane system, Port fleet electrification, a vessel air emissions capture and control system, clean trucks corridor deployment, and more. These and many other projects and initiatives are identified in the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy.

Share:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Related Posts