Port Hosts Congressional Roundtable on Climate Crisis with Congressmembers Julia Brownley & Kathy Castor

The Port of Hueneme welcomed Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Congresswoman Kathy Castor on Friday, May 31, 2019 for a roundtable discussion addressing the climate crisis. Brownley, recently appointed to the Congressional Select Committee on the Climate Crisis stated, “I was delighted to bring Chair Castor here to the Port of Hueneme as it is an innovative and growing port, a huge economic engine to our district – and the most amazing thing about it is that it is growing in a very green clean way. I am extraordinarily proud to represent the Port of Hueneme.”

“I’m impressed with what’s happening here at the greenest, cleanest port as they’re transitioning to electric vehicles and have batter storage pilot projects,” Climate Crisis Committee Chair Congresswoman Kathy Castor stated. “What we have to do across America is transition to a 100% clean economy, and part of that is going to be in the maritime industry. I have to say that the Port here is setting a very good example for what other ports need to be doing.”

“As the Greenest Port in the United States, we are continually propelling our operations forward to become greener and cleaner. We are honored to lead our county in implementing green technologies and practices that will be the new standard for ports around the world,” said Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Herrera. “Today’s Congressional roundtable discussion on climate change was a time to reflect on how the industries throughout our county are preparing for increased weather events in the future and changes to our everyday lives. I applaud Congresswoman Brownley and Congresswoman Castor for their leadership in addressing this pressing issue.”

From left: Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve; Kristin Decas, Port Director and CEO; Giles Pettifor, Environmental Manager, Port of Hueneme; Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor District President; Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Kathy Castor; Dave Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; Alyssa Mann, Nature Conservancy; Andrew Palomares, Port Deputy Executive Director, CFO/CAO; John Salvate, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Assistant Chief; Dave Stone, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Assistant Chief; Karen Schmidt, Regional Affairs Manager, Clean Power Alliance

In addition to the Port’s leadership, roundtable attendees included:

• Jonathan Parfrey – Climate Resolve, Executive Director
• Dave Pedersen – Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, General Manager
• Alyssa Mann – The Nature Conservancy, Project Director Disaster Resilience
• Karen Schmidt – Clean Power Alliance, Regional Affairs Manager
• John Salvate – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Assistant Chief
• Dave Stone – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Assistant Chief

Clockwise from bottom left: Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve; Dave Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (obscured); Congresswoman Kathy Castor; Kristin Decas, Port Director and CEO; Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor District President; Congresswoman Julia Brownley; Karen Schmidt, Regional Affairs Manager, Clean Power Alliance; Alyssa Mann, Project Director Disaster Resilience, The Nature Conservancy; Giles Pettifor, Port Environmental Manager

CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas stated, “It’s a distinct honor to enjoy the company of our Congresswoman and the Chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hosting a roundtable with key partners. Today, we roll up our sleeves and explore innovative solutions to create resiliency to climate change.”

In addition to the roundtable discussion, the Port showcased clean cargo handling equipment including electric forklifts, propane-powered boom lifts, electric scissor lifts, shorepower electric plug in containers, and the Port’s hybrid fleet of vehicles. The Port is not only utilizing green cargo handling equipment to move the cargo, but the cargos themselves are getting greener and cleaner as well.

Pictured at the Port of Hueneme surrounded by green cargo handling equipment and green cargo: Cam Spencer, Port Public and Government Relations Manager; Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor District President; Congresswoman Kathy Castor; Congresswoman Julia Brownley; Kristin Decas, Port Director and CEO; and Giles Pettifor, Port Environmental Manager

The Port imports and exports electric automobiles including: Teslas, BMWs, and Jaguars; along with a variety of hybrid vehicles. Also highlighted were 130 high mast lights that have been retrofitted with LEDs, eco-friendly pilings made of recycled bottles that support the wharf, the harbor’s clean sand that will nourishment local beach, the Port’s storm water management system, and the sea bin – a floating skimmer that filters debris out of the harbor.

The Port also featured the new improvements that are underway to make them even greener in the very near future: a joint clean air plan with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, a $3.2 million investment in the charging infrastructure to support electric cranes, a hydrogen-fuel cell truck, and electric yard tractors which will help pilot the world’s first zero-emission ship to store avocado.

Learn more about the Port’s Zero-Emission Ship to Store Avocado here.
Learn more about the Port’s Environmental Initiatives here.