NASSCO has established Best Management Practices to protect the environment. Recognizing that shipbuilding and repair activities have a potential impact on air quality, the company has adopted a number of safeguards in its production processes. Examples include: Abrasive blast containment. Granular blasting material is often used to remove paint from ship surfaces. This operation is walled in with containment material to minimize dust being released into the atmosphere. NASSCO also encourages its customers to allow the use of water-jet hydroblasting for exterior hull paint removal, a procedure that produces less dust than granular particle blasting. Paint containment. Shrouds and mesh cloths are used to contain paint overspray and reduce emissions. No paint thinning. All painting activities are performed without the use of paint thinners to minimize the release of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. Filtering discharges. Plasma-burning machines are fitted with filtration systems that collect and filter out potential contaminants from smoke and other discharges. Diesel Crane Repowering Project. NASSCO has voluntarily upgraded the engines of four large overhead cranes with state-of-the-art pollution control equipment. NASSCO received approximately $1 million of the $3.5 million necessary for this project through a California Air Resources Board Carl Moyer Grant. The success of this project has become the catalyst for additional diesel re-powering projects furthering NASSCO's "Beyond Environmental Compliance Goal." To help reduce commuter traffic and pollution, NASSCO supports both bus pools and van pools for its employees. NASSCO also sells monthly trolley passes in the shipyard to encourage employees to use the San Diego electric-powered light rail system as an alternative to commuting by car.

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