Sneak peek: What Is a Green Terminal Strategy and Why Do We Need One?

One of the potential environmental impacts of the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Multipurpose Heavy Lift Terminal is increased air pollution. Traditional port operations, that rely on fossil fuels, emit both CO2 as well as criteria pollutants such as NOx, SOx, and Particulate Matter which can impact nearby communities. Humboldt currently has some of the cleanest air in the State. 

In May 2023, local environmental activists started a campaign to ask for the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Multipurpose Heavy Lift Terminal to be a zero-emission or “green” port. In December 2023, the Blue Lake Rancheria released a white paper describing green port possibilities on the North Coast. In response, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District adopted Resolution 2024-01, committing to the development and adoption of a Green Terminal Strategy for its Heavy Lift Multipurpose Terminal.

At the March 13, 2025 Harbor District meeting Moffat & Nichol, the firm the Harbor District has hired to design the green terminal strategy, gave a presentation on the green terminal strategy roadmap. The strategy will develop three scenarios. First, a baseline scenario modeling emissions under current regulations. Second, a low-moderate risk scenario will identify relatively easy decarbonization elements and operational practices that could be implemented and model the resulting emissions. Finally, a moderate-high-risk scenario will identify relatively ambitious decarbonization elements and strategies. 

Some potential decarbonization strategies include:

Shore Power: Enabling docked ships to plug into the grid, eliminating engine emissions.

Zero-Emission Infrastructure: Charging stations or hydrogen fueling for port equipment.

Renewable Power Generation: Rooftop solar, microgrids, and battery storage.

Clean Energy Procurement: Purchasing certified renewable energy to offset usage.

The plan will use a phased approach that will set a future date by which the terminal will operate as a zero-emissions terminal.

The green terminal strategy and roadmap are set to be finalized by the Harbor District in June 2025.