The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners adopted principles for addressing greenhouse gas reduction from the Port’s utility operations at their board meeting last week.

Port Board President Anthony Batarse stated in a press release, “We share the public’s concerns about global warming and our action today authorizes the Port of Oakland staff to develop a greenhouse gas reduction plan.”

Recent global climate change developments have raised environmental concerns at both the state and federal levels.The Port of Oakland as a state tidelands trust has had air quality initiatives in place since the 1990s.

“In addition to developing a plan for reducing greenhouse gases, the Port of Oakland is aggressively pursuing renewable energy supplies,” said Port Executive Director Jerry Bridges.

The Port of Oakland has gone beyond the standard state requirements. Renewable energy sources account for 25–30 percent of the electricity that the Port provides while the state legislature established an attainment target of 20 percent renewable energy by the end of 2017.

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the 4th busiest container port in the U.S.