Editor:
According to Port Metro Vancouver's spokesman, there are no plans to install shore power at Deltaport until sometime after 2020. That basically means there are no plans in place.
Unfortunately, the residents of Delta get to listen to and ingest the exhaust from shipboard diesel generators running 24/7 while loading at Deltaport. The noise level and amount of pollution from multiple diesel exhaust emissions is considerable. A study conducted by the port of Long Beach, California, found that ships berthed at the port released on average 13 tons of NOx per day. That is equivalent to the daily NOx emissions of nearly 250,000 cars, according to estimates of auto emissions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Deltaport quite often has two or three ships loading so were talking about up to 750,000 cars running 24/7.
The current situation is not good but can you imagine just how bad it will be if Port Metro expands the terminal?
This is simply another example of Port Metro's lack of planning and lack of consideration for the residents of Delta.
The TV ad put out by the port bragging about the shore power installation at Canada Place is simply propaganda. We all know that Vancouver council and the residents of Coal Harbour would take it to court if it didn't install shore power in the heart of Vancouver.
What about Delta and the rest of the Lower Mainland port facilities run by Port Metro? Are we not as valued as the citizens of Vancouver.
It is time for Port Metro to take a professional approach to running Deltaport and to stop imposing significant noise and air pollution on the citizens of Delta.
Don Paulsen
