New York Cruise Ships Still Not Plugging In

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez says shoreside power would reduce pollution

Nydia Velázquez, the U.S. Representative for New York's 12th congressional district, is leading the call to complete the shoreside power plans for Brooklyn's Red Hook cruise ship terminal.

Originally budgeted at $15 million, the project was supposed to be completed almost a year ago making the 180,000 square foot terminal the first East Coast cruise operation with the cold ironing capabilities.

Majority funding of $12 million came from the Port Authority, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contributing almost $3 million.

To use the facilities, Carnival Corporation (Carnival) took on retrofit costs of $4 million for their Princess Cruises and Cunard Line vessels.

But increasing costs means the project now needs an additional $4.3 million and, according to local officials, the EPA has not provided the extra funding.

"It is critical that this project not fall by the wayside," said Velázquez.

In a letter sent to the Port Authority, the Democratic Congresswoman says once completed, the project will reduce pollution by nearly 100 tons of nitrous oxide, 100 tons of sulfur oxide, and over 6 tons of particulate matter per year.

Talking to the New York Daily News, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said the agency “authorized $15 million for this shore power facility for the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which is active 28 days a year.”

“We support the environmental benefits this unique project will have for those who live and work around the terminal, but the project needs an additional $4.3 million to cover costs. We are evaluating options on how this gap can be filled, especially in light of the fact that the cruise ships that call on the facility are only committed for two years beyond projected completion of the construction,” he said.