The Port of Oakland’s Board of Commissioners approved the Renewable Portfolio Standard for the Port of Oakland’s Wholesale Electric Power Procurement on July 6, 2004. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to environmental responsibility, part of the Port’s triple bottom line--economic vitality, social equity, and environmental responsibility.
Published: August, 2004
California Senate Bill 1078 (SB 1078) became law January 1, 2003. It provides that each governing body of a local publicly owned electric utility shall be responsible for implementing and enforcing a “renewable portfolio standard” to encourage renewable resources. The state legislature established an attainment target of 20% renewable energy by the end of 2017.
The Port of Oakland has gone beyond the standard requirements and currently receives an estimated 28% of its power from renewable resources. Renewable resources are defined as natural energy resources that are inexhaustible such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower.
“The Port of Oakland understands the importance of sustainability and wants to promote and encourage the use of renewable resources. We propose an effort to continue exceeding the recommended 20% standard by seeking new renewable energy opportunities that will benefit the environment,” said the new President of the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners, Patricia Scates.
The Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners adopted a calendar year renewables portfolio standard for the electric power the Port purchases at wholesale and adopted a goal of achieving 40% by the year 2017.
Port of Oakland Provides $1 Community Benefits Lease for Spunkmeyer Field
Benefits Summer Youth Athletic Programs
The Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners extended a community benefits lease with the City of Oakland for Spunkmeyer Field located at Doolittle Drive, Harbor Bay Parkway, and North Airport. This field is a popular location for many, local summer athletic programs such as the Alameda-Contra Costa Youth Soccer League, the Jack London Youth Soccer League, and the Rockridge Soccer Club.
“The Port of Oakland has a history of supporting youth in the region—not only in academic excellence, but also in athletic pursuits,” said Patricia Scates, President of the Board of Port Commissioners. “This lease extension means that young people in our surrounding communities will be able to continue participating in athletic programs at the Spunkmeyer Field throughout the year.”
The Oakland City Council entered into a lease with the Port of Oakland in August 1999 for approximately 6 acres of land known as Spunkmeyer Field. This field is commonly used by youth athletic clubs. The original lease term was for five years at $1.00 each year. The current market value of the property is estimated at $285,000 a year.
“We understand the value in providing a place where our youth can be involved in outdoor activities,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Jerry Bridges. “We’re delighted to be able to help those who might not otherwise have a place to play their favorite team sports.”
The City of Oakland recently proposed to extend the term of this lease for an additional five years and the Port Board of Commissioners voted to do the same. Thus, the first supplemental agreement would extend the lease term for an additional five years commencing September 1, 2004 and ending August 31, 2009. The annual rent will remain at $1.00. The Port of Oakland consistently gives back to the community by providing nominal leases for hundreds of acres of waterfront parkland for public enjoyment.
Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners Elects New Officers
Each year the Port of Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners elects its top three officers.
Tuesday, July 6, 2004, the board elected Commissioner Patricia Scates to serve a one-year term as President of the board. Commissioner Frank Kiang was elected to serve as First Vice President and board member Anthony A. Bartarse, Jr. will serve as Second Vice President.
Board members acknowledged outgoing President Protopappas for his leadership and inspiration. He was praised for his ability to foster fairness and objectivity during significant financial challenges and the recent transition period in the Port organization with the appointment of a new executive director and chief financial officer.
Commissioner Scates will replace John Protopappas as President of the Board of Port Commissioners. She is currently Senior Vice President and regional manager of Wells Fargo’s East Bay commercial banking office. As an Oakland native, Ms. Scates serves on a number of boards: National Board of the Urban Financial Services Coalition Foundation (UFSCF); Corporate Advisory Board of the California Black Chamber of Commerce; Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; and YMCA of the East Bay. Among her awards and recognitions, Scates was honored as one of the 2002 “75 Most Influential Businesswomen” by the San Francisco Business Times and she also received the 2000 Corporate Community Leadership Award from the California Black Chamber of Commerce.
Board members elected Commissioner Frank Kiang to serve as First Vice President. Commissioner Kiang is currently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Bank and its holding company, Met Financial Corporation. He was appointed to the Port Commission in 1998 and serves on numerous boards: Alameda County Medical Center Authority, California Export Finance Office; California Independent Bankers; and Economic Development Alliance for Business of Alameda County. He served as President of the Port board in 2002.
Anthony A. Batarse, Jr. was elected Second Vice President of the Board of Port Commissioners. Commissioner Batarse is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd A. Wise Inc., one of the largest Hispanic owned businesses in California, with holdings in automobile dealerships and outdoor media. Mr. Batarse was appointed to the Board of Port Commissioners in June 2003. Batarse is currently a member of several civic organizations including: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County (Director); Oakland Chamber of Commerce; San Leandro Chamber of Commerce; SF State University Business Advisory Board; and Youth Opportunity Foundation.
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the 4th busiest containerport in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the nation with more than 13 million passengers a year; and Jack London Square is Oakland’s premier entertainment spot along the waterfront. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an autonomous department of the City of Oakland.
