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Port of Oakland Subsidizes $673,000 for AC Transit Engine Retrofit Program

21 September 1999

Port of Oakland Subsidizes $673,000 for AC Transit Engine Retrofit Program

    OAKLAND, Calif.--Sept. 21, 1999--In an innovative move to bring more environmental benefits to the community, the Port of Oakland's Board of Commissioners has approved $673,000+ subsidy to AC Transit for its clean diesel engine retrofit program.
    Specifically, the money will be used to retrofit 27 buses with new, state-of-the-art clean burning diesel engines. These new engines will meet California's emission standards for new diesel engines. The buses will be used primarily in the western part of Oakland, where the Port is also located. AC Transit is the third largest public bus system in California.
    The subsidy is part of the Port's Vision 2000's Air Quality Mitigation Program. The program includes air quality mitigation measures for the construction of four new container berths, associated terminal wharves and container yards and a new access road to the new terminals. In addition, the project provides for a major new 30+ acre waterfront public park called Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.
    "AC Transit's program is another example of the Port of Oakland's innovative effort to deliver tangible environmental benefits to the local communities in conjunction with our expansion projects," said John Loh, president, Board of Port Commissioners.
    "We deeply appreciate the Port's financial commitment and partnership" commented Rick Fernandez, acting general manager, AC Transit. "The generous subsidy from the Port of Oakland will allow us to advance the retrofitting of approximately 27 buses that have old, high-emission diesel engines and accelerate the improvement of local air quality by replacing the old engines with clean burning ones."
    The Port of Oakland, established in 1927, is an independent department of the City of Oakland employing some 560 people. The Port extends approximately 19 miles along the east side of the Oakland Estuary from the border of the city of Emeryville immediately north of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, to the south to the border of the city of San Leandro. Port facilities include four major marine terminal areas covering almost 1,000 acres; Oakland International Airport which covers an area of over 2,500 acres; 1,100 acres of commercial, industrial, recreational and other land; 950 acres of underdeveloped land; and about 9,800 surface acres of water area.