Sun Harbor Marina Recognized as a Cool California Climate Leader

Sun Harbor Marina is one of eleven California small businesses recently recognized as a Cool California Climate Leader at the 3rd Annual Cool California Small Business Awards. The award recognizes Sun Harbor for its leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment, and using green and sustainable practices.

California District 39 Senator Christine Kehoe presented the award to marina manager Kathy OBrien at a ceremony in Sacramento on June 13, 2012 (pictured). “We applaud our tenants,” states OBrien “We are proud to be recipients of the Cool California Climate Leader award. We will continue to research and implement environmentally friendly products and programs which save money and conserve our environment.” Senator Kehoe praised Sun Harbor for its continued voluntary efforts to improve San Diego’s air and water quality and for exemplary leadership to other small businesses in the region.

The Cool California Award was started by the California Air Resources Board in 2009 to recognize small businesses that take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate-friendly practices. Since 2011, the awards have focused primarily on small businesses. Small business owners answer to their families, the community, and their customers and must balance profitability and core values. Businesses like Sun Harbor demonstrate that environmental and social issues can be addressed while maintaining profitability.

When Sun Harbor Marina decided to redevelop its facility, its owners started with a goal to be environmentally responsible. This goal evolved to a challenge: to be the first marina in the world to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. Sun Harbor succeeded in May of 2005, and the building now serves as a practical showcase of green building, and example of impressive architecture, and a beautiful marina.

To achieve LEED certification, Sun Harbor reduced energy and water consumption, as well as air and water pollution. Some examples include:

• Energy Savings: High efficiency fluorescent lights are installed in office spaces. Wherever sufficient daylight is available, the lights are controlled by an automatic dimming control system. In restrooms, hallways and storage areas, compact fluorescent luminaries are controlled by timers and occupancy sensors. A glazed window minimizes HVAC usage by keeping heat out in the summer and inside during winter. Programmable thermostats turn down or off when occupants are not present. Energy Star equipment is utilized wherever possible and green power credits are purchased each year to further offset the carbon footprint of the facility.
• Water Consumption: Low flow plumbing fixtures, sensory activated fixtures, drip irrigation and drought tolerant landscaping reduce water usage by over 37%.
• Air and Water Pollution: Non-toxic paints, varnishes, carpet, cleaning supplies, adhesives, and other chemicals were used during construction and in the day-to-day activities of the marina. The marina continues to apply stringent controls on the purchase and use of these items, ensuring minimal air pollution. Water pollution is minimized by filters on storm drains to control runoff and drip irrigation. The marina educates tenants on containment and prevention of fuel, bilge, and sewage spills.

Once the remodel of the marina building was completed, sustainability efforts have continued with attention to new products and behaviors to further reduce the use of energy, water and impact to the environment. Small actions include using reusable coffee mugs and water bottles, avoiding printing documents, using remanufactured printer cartridges, encouraging alternative transportation, green cleaning products and utilizing the "Cloud" for file sharing.

Sun Harbor participates in the Port of San Diego’s Green Business Network to share best practices, market green efforts, and to receive updates about additional programs available from the Port and SDG&E.