Mitsubishi Cement abandons proposed warehouse project in Barrio Logan

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Negotiations between Mitsubishi Cement Corp. and the Port of San Diego have stalled over a proposal to build a much-controversial cement warehouse at the Port’s Tenth Avenue terminal in Barrio Logan.

The proposed warehouse is designed to produce 600,000 metric tons of cement materials per year, representing 35% of the company’s total annual production in Henderson, Nevada.

According to the company, the goal of the project is to “repurpose the existing warehouse at the terminal, create jobs and create a local source of cement that is currently only available by truck – over long distances – from the high desert or port. Long Beach.

Climate activists and some residents of Barrio Logan and National City have opposed the project for years, calling it a “mega-pollutant” due to idling truck exhaust, among other environmental issues.

“This would never be offered in a community like Coronado, so why should Logan and National City constantly fight for the right to breathe clean air?” asked Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan’s political advocate for the Environmental Protection Coalition. “The reason is environmental racism. Today we are celebrating our victory, but also sending a clear message to decision makers: don’t let proposals like the MCC come up again. The community is clear – no more diesel death.”

The company that posted the project on their website described the cement warehouse as “a green, electrified project with an emission reduction plan and installation of electrical infrastructure that will support the port and community’s efforts to reduce local impact and actually promote the green port.”

The Authorized Ports Council rejected a similar MCC proposal in 2020, instructing the company to develop measurable zero-emission truck requirements for the project. Anti-warehouse activists claim that in these two years, the MCC has not presented any plans for ZEV trucks.

“Mitsubishi has been disrespectful to the community by refusing to put forward any plans for zero-emission trucks,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder of the Environmental Coalition. “They also underestimated the strength, commitment and perseverance of residents who fought back by refusing to allow more deadly pollution into our communities.”

Rafael Castellanos, chairman of the board of the port, said the port would be ready to negotiate with the company in the future, “which are in line with the goals of our Clean Air at Sea strategy, which aims to support our maritime business, which helps the regional economy flourish, as well as significantly improves air quality for our neighbors and those who visit and work on our waterfront.”

“We urge the MCC to continue on their final journey if the day comes when they want to resume negotiations,” Castellanos said. “Meanwhile, the port continues to partner with our current tenants to achieve our MCAS goals and is open to businesses that share our commitment to a zero-emissions future.”

The warehouse will be located within a mile of Cesar Chavez Park and Perkins Elementary School.

More than 800 community members have emailed or written letters to harbor commissioners calling for the project to be rejected.

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