Princess Cruise Shore Power Project

Press

Port of SeattlePort 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 TimesSeattle 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 PISeattle 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 88.5KPLU 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.comMarineLog.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 CruisesPrincess 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.