---

The US South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has awarded $58 million from voter-approved Proposition 1B funding for shore-side power projects that will substantially reduce diesel emissions from ships calling at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Hueneme.

In a separate action, the AQMD Board also awarded $1.6 million to Carnival Cruise Lines to electrify one passenger cruise ship in its fleet so that it is capable of using shore-side power while docked at the Long Beach cruise terminal.

“The projects approved today will eliminate thousands of tons of pollution during the next decade,” said William A. Burke, chairman of AQMD’s Governing Board. “Clean, zero-emission technology is here and we must accelerate its use now for the health of all Southland residents - and especially those living in communities near the ports.”

The awards will provide funding to help build 25 shore-side electrical power grid systems for ships calling on area ports and to electrify the Carnival cruise ship. Ten shore-side grid systems will be built at the port of Los Angeles, 12 at the Port of Long Beach and three at Port Hueneme. Currently the Port of Los Angeles has four such systems and the Port of Long Beach has three.

AQMD previously awarded Carnival Cruise Lines $5 million for a shore-side power system at the Long Beach cruise terminal. The project is expected to be completed later this year.

Currently, most large container and passenger ships use diesel auxiliary engines while at berth to provide power for onboard ship services. From January 1st 2014, a California Air Resources Board regulation will require an increasing number of container and passenger ships to be capable of using shore-side power systems when at berth in California ports.

The award will help fund the development of the shore-based power infrastructure to accommodate the expected growth in electrified ships visiting area ports. The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

The shore-side power projects are expected to reduce 762 tons per year of nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) and 13 tons per year of particulate matter (PM) emissions over 10 years. Electrifying one Carnival Cruise ship to accept shore-side power will reduce 59 tons per year of NOx emissions and 2 tons per year of PM.