The Port of Long Beach has announced that it is launching a new program offering its tenants rebates to encourage them to replace outdated, polluting and inefficient electrical equipment with energy-efficient technology.
In April, 2016 the Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the Energy Efficiency Rebate Match Program, creating US$500,000 to reimburse tenants up to 100% of their equipment purchase costs.
The port’s rebates would match Southern California Edison rebates for eligible energy-saving equipment but are capped at the total cost of the products.
Lori Ann Guzmán, President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, said: “With Earth Day coming soon, April is the perfect month to start talking about this program.
“As we build the ‘Green Port of the Future’ in Long Beach, it’s our responsibility to encourage the use of the newest, most efficient equipment.”
Technical Paper: Environmental Innovation at the Port of Long Beach
In January 2015, Jon Slangerup, CEO of the Port of Long Beach introduced his Energy Island Initiative, a comprehensive strategy for transitioning the port to sustainable, zero-emission power sources and self-generation systems.
This initiative will enhance resiliency by creating the ability to ‘island’ port operations independently from the grid in an emergency.
It will also stabilise power costs for terminal operations and further reduce the port’s carbon footprint while also increasing the competitive advantages of doing business in Long Beach.
The rebate program is integral to achieving these goals by improving energy-related efficiencies, which in turn reduce the amount of self-generated electricity required for Energy Island. Each port tenant applying is eligible for up to $50,000 in rebates.
Port staff will host a rebate program workshop for tenants from May 5, 2016, at the Port of Long Beach Maintenance Facility.