Committee backs amendment to expand Cochrane shoreside‑power contract at Pier 27; Port seeks $5.1 million

The Governmental Audit and Oversight Committee advanced an amendment to a prior ordinance that would expand a sole‑source contract with Cochrane Incorporated to install shoreside (shore-to-ship) power equipment at the Port of San Francisco’s Pier 27 and Pier 29. Vice Chair Eric Marr and Supervisor Sophie Maxwell supported forwarding the measure to the full Board as a committee report.

Port representatives said the project, first discussed with the public in 2003–05, moved from an initial Pier 35 plan to Pier 27 for engineering reasons and that the Board had previously authorized a sole‑source contract to Cochrane for design and installation. Jay Och, manager of environmental and regulatory affairs for the Port’s maritime division, told the committee the system will allow cruise ships to plug into city power and shut off onboard diesel generators. He cited per‑call emission…