Princess Cruise Shore Power Project
Press
Port of Seattle
July 23, 2005
Cruise Ships Plug In to Shore Power at Port of Seattle
New equipment that allows two of the nine cruise ships calling
at the Port of Seattle this season to plug into shore power
means the vessels can turn their engines off while docked,
reducing cruise ship air emissions by about 30 percent.
"Seattle is one of just two ports in North America with
shore power capability for cruise ships," said Port of
Seattle Commission President Bob Edwards. "The
reduction in emissions is equal to taking 1,100 cars of the
road for a full year."
Offering shore power is possible in Seattle because Princess
Cruises invested $1.8 million to build the Diamond Princess
and Sapphire Princess with that capability and because Seattle
City Light was willing to work with Princess and the Port
to bring power to the terminal. City Light's capital costs
were offset in part by a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Seattle Times
Saturday, July 24, 2005
2 cruise ships will plug into Seattle's power grid
Beginning today, two Princess Cruises ships will reduce their
air-pollution emissions by about 30 percent by shutting down
their diesel engines while docked in Seattle. Instead of
idling or using generator power, the Diamond Princess and
Sapphire Princess will plug into the city's power grid and run
off electricity.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board Monday, October 4, 2004
A
Diesel Reprieve
Diesel emissions constitute some of the biggest air pollution
threats to health. The problem is finally receiving much-needed
attention around Puget Sound and along the West Coast. Last
week, officials announced that a cruise ship line will turn
off diesel engines on two of its ships while in port and
plug into dockside electric outlets. That means fewer particulates
and cancer-causing toxins in the air. The federal Environmental
Protection Agency is giving $50,000 to Seattle City Light
for necessary equipment purchases. The EPA, a host of private groups
and states, including Washington, are engaged in a West Coast
diesel initiative to cut pollution. And the Bush administration
has enacted strong new national rules on diesel. The coast
initiative is vital. Western port cities face serious challenges in reducing
diesel emissions from concentrated ship, railroad and trucking
sources. Through wide-ranging cooperation, jobs can expand
at the same time that health improves.
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Friday, October 1, 2004
Cruise Ships to Plug in to Reduce Pollution: Using Dock Power Is Part of Regional Plan
Air pollution caused by cruise ships docking in Seattle is
expected to be reduced by one-third by plugging Princess
Cruises' ships into dockside electrical outlets instead of
powering the ships by running their diesel engines, officials
said yesterday. "Reducing
diesel emissions will decrease the incidents of asthma and
improve overall air quality," said Ron Kreizenbeck, acting
regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency
in Seattle.
KPLU Seattle 88.5 Friday, October 1, 2004
MP3
audio link - NPR Pacific Lutheran University Seattle
The first steps are being taken to clean up one of the region's
most overlooked sources of air pollution -- the ships that
dock in the Port of Seattle. KPLU environment reporter Steve
Krueger has the story.
Friday, October 1, 2004
MP3 audio link - NPR Pacific Lutheran University Seattle
The first steps are being taken to clean up the air over
the Port of Seattle. As KPLU environment reporter Steve Krueger
explains, the smoke that comes from marine vessels is a key
source of the region's air pollution problems.
MarineLog.com
Friday, October 1, 2004
Princess Goes to Shore Power in Seattle
Princess Cruises will turn off the engines of its ships when
they dock in Seattle next summer and "plug in" to
the city's electric utility, which relies on hydroelectric
power. The shore power project, similar to an arrangement Princess
started in the city of Juneau in 2001, is designed to help
reduce air emissions. Announced yesterday as part of the West
Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative, the program
will enable Princess ships in Seattle to operate with power
provided by Seattle City Light. The power will travel to the
ship from a specially designed transformer designed to supply
electricity to run all onboard services during the day-long
calls. "This
initiative is being made possible through a unique collaboration
of public and private entities, the availability of cost-effective
hydroelectric power ashore, and the fact that the technology
exists on our Alaska bound ships which piloted this program," said
Dean Brown, executive vice president, fleet operations for
Princess Cruises and chairman of Princess Tours. "We are
very pleased to be able to bring the shore power program to
Seattle, and do our part to reduce fuel consumption."
Princess Cruises Thursday, September 30, 2004
Press
Release -- Princess Ships to Connect to Shore Power in Seattle for 2005
Summer Season
Line Expands Innovative Program to Reduce Air Emissions.
Demonstrating Princess' commitment to operate responsibly
in the communities in which it does business, Princess will turn
off the engines of its ships when they dock in Seattle next
summer and "plug in" to the city's electric utility,
which relies on hydroelectric power. This unique shore power
project, similar to an arrangement Princess started in the
city of Juneau in 2001, is designed to help reduce air emissions.
Announced today as part of the West Coast Diesel Emissions
Reductions Collaborative, the program will enable Princess
ships in Seattle to operate with power provided by Seattle City
Light. The power will travel to the ship from a specially designed
transformer designed to supply electricity to run all onboard
services during the day-long calls.
Governor Locke Speech Seattle WA Thursday, September 30, 2004
Thank you Linda [Strout, Deputy CEO for the Port] for that
kind introduction. It is great to be here today on the Seattle
waterfront. Our waterways represent a great opportunity for
both recreation and commerce here in Washington. We have
container ships sending overseas Washington products. And
we also have cruise ships docking with passengers from all over
the world who have a chance to shop at our stores and restaurants
and visit our state. But with this great opportunity also comes
challenges. Challenges to keep our environment clean and
our residents safe from harmful pollution.
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