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Port Moves To Reduce Air Pollution

The Port of San Diego is moving forward with a plan to clear the air around its cruise ship terminal. The port hopes a shore power system for ships will be operating within two years. KPBS Environment

Port Moves To Reduce Air Pollution

The Port of San Diego is moving forward with a plan to clear the air around its cruise ship terminal. The port hopes a shore power system for ships will be operating within two years.  KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

It's called cold ironing or shore power.  

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The system allows ships to plug into electrical outlets on shore rather than idling their engines and spewing exhaust emissions into the air.

The Port's Marguerite Elicone says a $2.4 million grant will help pay for part of a project to install shore power at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal.

Elicone: Once it's all operational it has the potential to remove about 151 tons of air emissions.

She says a 2006 study found that cruise ships are the biggest source of harmful emissions at the port's terminals.

Elicone says the estimated total cost for the project is $6 million.

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She says terms of the grant require the system be operating by May 31, 2010,  which is three years ahead of state regulatory requirements.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.