Fishing town reduces fleet's dock-side diesel habit

The New Bedford Harbor Commission has hooked up with SourceOne, the energy management subsidiary of Veolia Energy North America, on a project to electrify the New Bedford Fisherman's Wharf.

The arrangement calls for the organization to install shore-side pedestal power sources (like the one pictured) that the fishing fleet will use while in the harbor to power their boats. The pedestals will replace diesel generators.

The project is notable because New Bedford Harbor Commission is one of largest commercial fishing authorities in the United States. At any given time, it has an average of 132 boats in dock.

In all, the plans call for 42 pedestals to be installed on four of the New Bedford Harbor wharves: Fisherman's Wharf, Steamship Pier and Coal Pocket Pier, Homer's Wharf and Leonard's Wharf. After all the pedestals are installed, the commission will cut its annual diesel fuel consumption by about 310,000 gallons annually. The commission believes this approach will also be cheaper for fishermen.

Said Kristin Decas, port director, CEO and Executive Director of the commission:

"This effort is part of the commission's commitment to the revitalization of New Bedford's historic harbor. The project team has done an excellent job of analyzing and recommending immediate solutions to reduce our carbon footprint and other air pollutants."

The first phase will see eight pedestals installed on Fisherman's Wharf in the next several months.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com