Converting a 1940-era shipyard to a vibrant and exciting new neighborhood is an arduous and lengthy process. The Navy has spent approximately $400 million on clean-up to date and expects to spend an additional $500 million over the next several years.
In October 2004 the City of San Francisco reported that "after 14 years of careful study, all appropriate city, state and federal agencies concurred that Parcel A of the Shipyard is safe for residential use.” The Navy, which still owns portions of the Shipyard, is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other appropriate regulatory agencies to address environmental issues. Once the land is transferred to Lennar, the company will work with those same agencies to address any remaining environmental concerns.
We want the community to know that at each and every stage of the redevelopment process, Lennar has been guided by a commitment to protecting the health and safety of the Bayview-Hunters point community.
In separate studies, federal, state and local public health professionals concluded that grading operations at Hunters Point Shipyard did not pose a significant long-term health risk. Their studies found that any airborne asbestos particles were not present long enough or in high enough concentrations to present such a risk.
The findings are in response to concerns raised by some that grading operations at Parcel A of the Shipyard created dust that contained naturally occurring asbestos. The asbestos is part of the serpentine rock underlying the construction site. Serpentine rock is the state rock and is found in 44 of California’s 58 counties.
Extensive analysis has been conducted by:
All of these public health professionals have concluded that the community’s exposure to asbestos, both in terms amount and duration, was low.
Following are among the observations from public health professionals who have studied the site.
Hunters Point Shipyard will be the first neighborhood in San Francisco powered entirely by clean, reliable public power. In the new “Green Public Power Community,” the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will deliver reliable, 100 percent renewable and cost-competitive power to new residents and businesses of the current and
future developments through its extensive hydropower, solar and other renewable energy generation projects.
The Green Public Power Community at Hunters Point initially will be powered by extensive hydro and solar power portfolio, but as new technologies become available commercially, Hunters Point Shipyard will be among the first in line to receive power from them. These new technologies include thin-film solar, fuel cell and tidal energy. Rates charged will be the same or lower than current retail and commercial electric rates.
Lennar has committed to sharing the costs of constructing electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure within the development, and will contribute $2 million towards the cost of providing renewable energy to customers in the new neighborhood. For example, this money could allocated towards the construction of rooftop solar facilities.
“Just four months ago we announced a proposal that reflected our clean energy vision. Today we have an agreement that shows our clean energy leadership,” said Mayor Newsom. “The City and Lennar are partnering to bring clean, reliable, affordable public power to a community too long blighted by toxic industries and polluting power plants.”
“San Franciscans already rely on the water and power we deliver every day,” said SFPUC General Manager Susan Leal. “Our growing portfolio of clean hydropower, solar and other renewable energies allows us to continue powering the City’s vital municipal services and bring clean, reliable, affordable energy to the new neighborhood at Hunters Point.”
“Green power is vital for our future, not just for Hunters Point, but for San Francisco,” said District 10 Supervisor Sophie Maxwell. “I am so proud to say that the Southeast Community is truly at the cutting edge of clean energy and environmental leadership for the Bay Area.”
“This is an exciting day for San Francisco,” said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. “Having the SFPUC and Lennar create an entirely green powered community at the new Hunters Point development will put San Francisco on the map as a leader in renewable energy.”
“Lennar / BVHP has been committed to creating an environmentally friendly community at Hunters Point from the beginning,” said Kofi Bonner, President of Lennar Corporation, Northern California. “Our partnership with the City will provide green power directly to the community’s residents and businesses and will help make this new Hunters Point community an environmental showcase for the nation.”
