BROOKLYN -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron welcomed the Port Authority's approval of an agreement to bring shore power to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook.
The agreement, which was reached over a year ago at the urging of Senator Squadron and other community leaders [4] but was not approved until today, will allow cruise ships to plug into the electrical grid rather than burning diesel fuels while idling at the port. The Port Authority expects implementation to be completed by 2014.
Senator Squadron released the following statement:
"Brooklyn just breathed a sigh of relief -- because shore power means we'll be able to breathe a little easier. The implementation of our agreement gets us closer to ending the dirty and dangerous fumes spewed by cruise ships idling in the Red Hook port, which is good news for Brooklynites and good news for our environment.
"For two years, I worked with the community and my colleagues in government, including Congresswoman Velazquez and Councilman Lander, to push for the agreement that's made shore power possible. By implementing the agreement, the Port Authority will make New York a leader as the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal becomes the first on the East Coast to adopt this cleaner, healthier technology.
"Thank you to the Port Authority and Empire State Development, and to Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo, NYPA, EDC, the EPA, Princess and Cunard, and my colleagues for their work to reach an agreement and make today's great news possible."
Earlier this month, Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye discussed the implementation of the shore power agreement in response to Senator Squadron's questioning at a Senate hearing. [5]
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