Port of Stockton
2201 W Washington St.
Stockton, CA 95203
PH 209-946-0246
FX 464-1251

Air Quality Program

The City of Stockton is located in San Joaquin County which has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a “nonattainment” area for several air pollutants i.e. particulate matter, ozone.  In general terms this means that the air quality in San Joaquin County is poor and the air is not clean enough to meet certain air quality standards set forth by the EPA.  While much of this pollution is generated by farming, agriculture and automobiles, maritime industry can be a source of pollutants as well.  An estimated one-third of vessel emissions occur while they are at berth.  While docked at the Port of Stockton vessels are required to shut off their main engines and use auxiliary diesel and steam engines to power refrigeration, lights, pumps and other functions.

The Port is continuously looking for ways to reduce air emissions as it replaces its dockside equipment with newer, clear-burning equipment. Through education and outreach to tenants and vessel operators, the Port encourages proper maintenance, operational controls and use of alternative fuels.

Program Goal

• Reduce air pollution resulting from maritime and industrial activities at the Port

Program Accomplishments

• As part of the Healthy Air Living Campaign, the Port has teamed with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to develop and implement strategies that will result in real emission reductions.  To this end, the Port’s Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution proclaiming July 7–13, 2008, Healthy Air Living Week.  Some of the strategies to reduce air pollution include:  on-site food service and dry-cleaning pick-up service to minimize vehicle trips; completion of an energy audit to identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced; and investigation of the feasibility of purchasing a video conferencing system that would minimize the need for Port staff to travel to various meetings
• The Port has replaced four older gasoline powered trucks with new, zero-emission electric vehicles for use on the docks. The Port is also working with tenants and the San Joaquin Valley Air District to re-power and/or retrofit existing equipment with lower emitting engines for improved air quality.
• During dredging activities, port contractors operate an electric rather than diesel-powered dredge.  This reduces air emissions by using a clean, renewable energy source instead of burning fossil fuels. 
• The Port’s Truck Traffic Control Plan has been finalized.  The Port has installed signage on Rough & Ready Island directing truck traffic to the recently completed Daggett Road Bridge.  This will ease congestion and reduce emissions in the nearby Boggs Tract neighborhood.

Ongoing Activities

• The Port assists ship operators with maintaining compliance while docked in Port by providing visible emissions monitoring and providing them with information on air quality standards in San Joaquin County.
• The Port aids the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Management District in enforcing regulations that prohibit excessive emissions from vessels that call at the Port by training Port staff to identify violators.  Every six months the Port sends employees to Visible Emissions training to be re-certified to read air emissions in order to assist with vessel compliance and reduce air impacts.

Upcoming Activities

• The Port will be retrofitting cargo handling equipment with new emissions control technology.

Program Highlights The Port is proud to announce that one of our tenants, Central California Traction Company, has installed an updated fuel injection system to their locomotive engines in order to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of emissions.