Why this matters
Under regulations by the state, the Port of San Diego planned a strategy to reduce its toxic air emissions.
Port of San Diego officials are moving closer toward allowing the construction of an electric truck-charging station in west National City, but Mayor Ron Morrison still has concerns.
This month, Port of San Diego Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab told National City councilmembers that the port had just wrapped up collecting public comment on a draft environmental impact report.
The port would eventually consider a final report, a lease and a coastal development permit at a future meeting. The port has said that following a certification of the environmental review and the necessary approvals, construction could take about six months.
From the Documenters
This story came in part from notes taken by Jennifer Hua, a San Diego Documenter, at a City Council of National City meeting this month. The Documenters program trains and pays community members to document what happens at public meetings.
Skychargers LLC proposed building a 70-stall charging station for electric trucks that visit terminals and storage facilities in the area. The project would be built at 19th Street and Tidelands Avenue, adjacent to the National City Marine Terminal.
The draft report of Skychargers’ proposal released in January found no significant environmental impacts, the port said in a news release. Three in-person forums were held this year for the public to learn about the findings.
Ungab said he urged the port to file for the environmental impact report — the highest level of scrutiny that the state allows — to evaluate risks.
The port commissioner, who lives in National City’s east side, noted existing port pollution contributes to high childhood asthma rates and exposure to diesel particulate matter, a mixture of chemicals that causes breathing issues and cancer.
The port has made an effort to reduce emissions, such as rolling out a fleet of electric vehicles to replace the diesel ones.
“In order to maintain electric trucks, we gotta charge them,” Ungab said.
The draft report published comment summaries from groups and individuals including Morrison, who raised concerns about traffic congestion and potential fire risks.
The mayor criticized the port for not addressing potential impacts such as lithium battery fires and water runoff to the level of detail he sought.
At last week’s meeting, he questioned the report’s findings, calling Ungab’s council presentation “one-sided.”
“I got a funny feeling (that) if it was in their neighborhood, there would be significant impacts.” Morrison said, referring to the port’s seven commissioners.
Port officials hope to have an information booth at an April 4 event, where the public can ask more questions about the proposed charging station. The event, “A Day At The Park,” will celebrate a recent reopening of Pepper Park off of Tidelands Avenue and Bay Marina Drive.
Ungab said he wants the City Council — not the port — to lead any direction for the project proposal. Councilmember Marcus Bush floated the idea of scheduling a discussion on the proposal at a future council meeting.
Port of San Diego staff are evaluating public comments and will prepare responses to be included as part of the final environmental impact report, Brianne Page, a spokesperson for the port, said in an email to inewsource.
That report, along with the building permit and draft lease, will be presented to the Board of Port Commissioners at a hearing in the coming months, she said.
The port welcomes the public to attend that meeting and provide additional comment if needed.
In the meantime, Page said Skychargers and port staff are still educating stakeholders and the public about the proposed project, answering questions, and collecting more feedback “that may help inform the Board’s decision on whether to proceed with the project,” she said.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
