New York City Council
Committee on Economic Development
Feb 15, 2024
·
10:00 AM
3 hr 5 min
Summary
A hearing on the expansion of shore power at NYC's cruise terminals, particularly in Red Hook, Brooklyn with testimony from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Amanda Farias Opens Hearing on Shore Power Expansion
Council Member Amanda Farias, chairing the Committee on Economic Development, opens the hearing focused on expanding shore power capacity at NYC's cruise ship terminals. She acknowledges the attendance of key …
0:00:45
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4 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Advocates for Shore Power Legislation
Council Member Alexa Aviles presents Intro 4, promoting the implementation of shore power at NYC cruise ports. She thanks co-sponsor Council Member Batcher and acknowledges the support from Redhook residents …
0:05:35
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4 min
Council Member Erik Bottcher on the Impact of Cruise Industry
Council Member Erik Bottcher discusses the economic and environmental impact of the cruise industry in New York City. He highlights the positive economic contributions, such as job creation and benefits …
0:10:27
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3 min
Testimony: Sabrina Littmann, Senior VP for Portfolio Management, EDC on Shore Power Expansion
Sabrina Littmann, Senior Vice President for Portfolio Management at the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), testifies on the expansion of shore power at NYC cruise terminals. Littmann outlines the EDC's …
0:14:28
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15 min
Council Member Aviles Questions EDC's Traffic Mitigation Approach in Red Hook
Council Member Alexa Aviles critically analyzes the EDC's traffic mitigation strategies amidst the ongoing negotiations on cruise terminal agreements. She expresses concern over the community's struggles with traffic congestion and …
0:29:57
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6 min
Council Member Aviles Asks EDC About Concrete Investments in Traffic Mitigation for Red Hook
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about the Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) concrete financial investments toward traffic mitigation in Red Hook. She presses for detailed breakdowns of past spending and future …
0:36:15
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6 min
Council Member Aviles Questions EDC on Shore Power Timeline and Compatibility
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on the extended timeline for shore power plug-in to 2035, displaying concern over delays despite initial promises. The EDC …
0:42:37
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131 sec
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks EDC About Shore Power Connection Verification
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires how the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) verifies reasons ships may not be connecting to shore power, despite available infrastructure. The discussion uncovers the role …
0:44:50
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95 sec
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks EDC About Load Shedding Problems at the Port
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) regarding the challenges with load shedding at the port, focusing on issues related to grid capacity and ensuring neighborhood power …
0:46:25
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120 sec
Council Member Aviles Asks EDC About 2035 Shore Power Timeline, Compatibility Standards, and Monitoring Compliance
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) regarding the 2035 timeline for shore power, its compatibility standards, and compliance monitoring. Aviles criticizes the timeline's alignment with the …
0:48:26
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6 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks EDC About Health Care Cost Considerations for Red Hook Residents
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on whether it has considered the healthcare costs for Red Hook residents from long-term environmental burdens. Despite the initial investment …
0:55:13
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159 sec
Council Member Alexa Aviles Probes EDC on Health Impact Efforts and Future Mitigation Strategies
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about significant action or strategy from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to directly improve health indicators in impacted communities over the past three years. The …
0:57:55
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6 min
Council Member Erik Bottcher Asks EDC About Electrification Timeline at Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Council Member Erik Bottcher questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on the electrification timeline for the Manhattan cruise ship terminal. The EDC outlines the complexity of implementing shore power, including …
1:04:35
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3 min
Council Member Bottcher Inquires About RFP Process for Shore Power, Timelines, Funding, and Coordination
Council Member Erik Bottcher probes into the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for shore power implementation at NYC cruise terminals. The discussion unveils the steps post-feasibility study, including funding source …
1:08:17
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4 min
Council Member Erik Bottcher Asks About Interim Solutions for Ship Emissions Reduction
Council Member Erik Bottcher inquires about immediate actions that can be taken to reduce emissions from ships while waiting for shore power implementation. Discussion explores current technologies like filtering systems …
1:12:59
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85 sec
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks About the Status of Shore Power Infrastructure at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Council Member Amanda Farias inquires about the current functionality and expansion progress of shore power infrastructure at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The discussion covers full utilization of shore power by …
1:14:25
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134 sec
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks EDC About Cost and Standards for Manhattan Cruise Terminal Shore Power
Council Member Amanda Farias questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) regarding the estimated costs for installing shore power at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and the status of funding for terminal …
1:16:43
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143 sec
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks EDC About Monitoring and Enforcing Shore Power Compliance
Council Member Amanda Farias inquires about the processes for monitoring and enforcing shore power usage at NYC cruise terminals. She questions the consistency of connection rates and the penalties imposed …
1:19:06
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3 min
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks Cruise Lines About Tracking MWBE Contracts and Workforce Development
Council Member Amanda Farias questions the representative about the measures in place to track the percentage of MWBE contracts and workforce development opportunities stemming from long-term agreements with cruise lines. …
1:23:04
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153 sec
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks EDC About Community Priority Fund Establishment and Usage
Council Member Amanda Farias inquires about the establishment, nature, and utilization of the Community Priority Fund within long term agreements with cruise lines. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) specifies that …
1:25:37
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3 min
Council Members Discuss Establishment and Potential Impact of Community Priority Fund
Council Members Amanda Farias, Alexa Aviles, and Erik Bottcher delve into the details of the yet-to-be-established Community Priority Fund stemming from the long-term agreements with cruise lines. They examine the …
1:29:21
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80 sec
Council Member Amanda Farias Asks About Required Support from State or Port Authority for Shore Power Capacity
Council Member Amanda Farias inquires about the type of support needed from the state or Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to equip all city cruise terminal berths …
1:30:42
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127 sec
Council Member Rafael Salamanca Asks EDC About Freight Movement and Asthma Concerns in Hunts Point
Council Member Rafael Salamanca raises questions about the Freight NYC program, waterfront development in Hunts Point, and its potential to alleviate truck traffic and its impact on asthma rates. He …
1:32:50
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4 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks EDC About Loopholes in Shore Power Plug-in Criteria
Council Member Alexa Aviles probes the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for clarifications on potential loopholes within shore power plug-in criteria, highlighting concerns over the distinction between cruise liners and individual …
1:37:31
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6 min
Council Member Aviles Asks EDC About Compelling Cruise Companies to Invest in Sustainable Infrastructure
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on whether cruise companies have been compelled to invest in critical, sustainable infrastructure, such as battery storage, as part of …
1:43:35
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3 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks About Subsidizing Shore Power and Scrubber Efficacy
Council Member Alexa Aviles questions the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on taxpayer subsidies for shore power electricity and the efficacy of ship exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers. The …
1:47:19
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4 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks About Air Quality Monitoring Inclusion in Cruise Terminal Agreements
Council Member Alexa Aviles probes the Economic Development Corporation on the inclusion of air quality monitoring commitments within the cruise terminal agreements. The discussion reveals an emphasis on a holistic …
1:51:38
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154 sec
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks EDC About Cruise Terminal Revenues, Taxes, and the Community Fund
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about the revenue generation from cruise operators at NYC ports, the New York City and state taxes paid by cruise companies, and the specifics of …
1:54:13
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6 min
Council Members Probe EDC on Local Employment Data and Opportunities
Council Members Amanda Farias, Alexa Aviles, and others probe the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on the lack of detailed local employment data and the types of jobs available, particularly in …
2:00:43
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6 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks About Public Monitoring of Shore Power Hookups and Reasons for Non-Compliance
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about the reinstatement of public postings detailing cruise ships' shore power hookups and the broad rationales for any non-compliance. The discussion delves into the specifics …
2:07:03
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160 sec
Council Members Inquire About Future-Proofing Cruise Terminal Infrastructure
Council Members question the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on ensuring the cruise terminal infrastructure currently being updated will not need reconfiguration in the near future. The discussion covers the use …
2:09:43
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113 sec
Council Member Aviles EDC About Considering Solar Power at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
Council Member Aviles inquires about the Economic Development Corporation's exploration of solar power implementation at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. While the EDC confirms ongoing explorations, challenges with the DCAS program …
2:11:37
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79 sec
Testimony: Rizette Diaz Advocates for Red Hook Children in Light of Historical Exploitation
Rizette Diaz delivers a poignant testimony, spotlighting the historical exploitation and present challenges faced by the Red Hook community, particularly the children of PS 15. Diaz narrates a century-long history …
2:14:34
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168 sec
Testimony: Adam Armstrong Advocates for Immediate Shore Power Implementation
Adam Armstrong delivers a compelling testimony on the urgent need for immediate implementation of shore power at the Brooklyn cruise terminal. Detailing a personal timeline of the lengthy struggle against …
2:17:27
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3 min
Testimony: Susan Povich, Chairperson of the Red Hook Business Alliance, Testifies on Local Business Impact of Cruise Operations
Susan Povich, owner of Red Hook Lobster Pound and chairperson of the Red Hook Business Alliance, presents compelling testimony regarding the adverse effects of cruise ship operations on local businesses …
2:20:41
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3 min
Testimony: Debbie Reservato, PTA Board Member from PS 15, on Shore Power Implementation
Debbie Reservato, a PTA board member from PS 15 and a Redhook resident, testifies in support of mandatory shore power use for cruise ships docking in NYC, particularly highlighting the …
2:23:51
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127 sec
Testimony: Carolina Salgado Testifies on EDC Misrepresentations and the Need for Legislation
Carolina Salgado, Founder and Executive Director of Port Side New York, addresses City Council, highlighting the misrepresentations by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) regarding waterfront development and community benefits at …
2:26:05
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3 min
Carolina Salgado Responds to Farias and Discusses Displacement Concerns
Carolina Salgado offers follow-up remarks to Council Member Amanda Farias, detailing her inability to prepare additional testimony due to responding to a recent RFP which threatens the displacement of Port …
2:29:09
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89 sec
Testimony: Christine Valentin Rakowski on Exploiting Loopholes in Shore Power Legislation
Christine Valentin Rakowski, commonly known as Kiki Valentine, testifies on Section 22-827's language about shore power connection practicality, arguing it harbors potential for exploitation by cruise operators. She discusses personal …
2:31:40
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3 min
Council Member Alexa Aviles Asks Susan Povich About Economic Development Initiatives and Infrastructure in Red Hook
Council Member Alexa Aviles inquires about specific economic development actions and infrastructure improvements Susan Povich, of the Red Hook Business Alliance, hopes to see in Red Hook from the Economic …
2:34:58
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4 min
Carolina Salgado Critiques EDC's Approach to Traffic Mitigation and Community Engagement
Carolina Salgado discusses the challenges of traffic mitigation in Red Hook, pointing out the ineffective usage of NYPD for traffic direction and the lack of initiative from the EDC in …
2:39:00
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151 sec
Christin Valentin Rakowski Elaborates on Employment and Safety Concerns
Christin Valentin Rakowski expands on her previous testimony, addressing concerns about employment opportunities and pedestrian safety in Red Hook due to cruise operations. Discussing the replacement of pedestrian safety agents …
2:41:31
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64 sec
Carolina Salgado Highlights Lack of Community Engagement in EDC Events
Carolina Salgado discusses the Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) lack of engagement with the Red Hook community, particularly in educational and business events. She points out missed opportunities for local students …
2:42:35
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110 sec
Testimony: Lisa Tower, Legislative Director for Borough President Antonio Reynoso, on Red Hook Environmental Justice
Lisa Tower, serving as the legislative director for Borough President Antonio Reynoso, testifies in support of Intro 4, advocating for environmental justice in Red Hook. The testimony highlights the community’s …
2:45:23
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175 sec
Testimony: Eric McClure, Chair of Community Board 6, Testifies on Intro 4 and Traffic Management
Eric McClure, serving as the chair of Community Board 6 and the executive director of StreetsPAC, advocates for Intro 4, requiring cruise operators at NYC terminals to use shore power …
2:48:23
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3 min
Testimony: President of Red Hook West Testifies on Shore Power and Community Needs
The President of Red Hook West addresses the committee on behalf of Red Hook public housing residents. The testimony covers the impact of construction, asthma rates, and the importance of …
2:51:27
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3 min
Testimony: Micaela Skoknic, Director of Programs, SDIDC on Intro 4's Impact
Micaela Skoknic, Director of Programs at the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC), testifies on the support for Intro 4, highlighting its significance in addressing pollution and unregulated cruise activities …
2:55:07
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147 sec
Testimony: Elizabeth, Lobbyist, Testifies on Shoreline Docking Concerns
Elizabeth, a lobbyist from Brooklyn, shares her concerns about the impact of shoreline docking plans on Redhook's prorated cropland, the emission of toxins, and the potential damage to the shoreline …
2:57:40
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3 min
Testimony: Christopher Leon Johnson on Concerns Regarding Transportation Plan and Stakeholders
Christopher Leon Johnson addresses the council, expressing skepticism about the involvement of specific organizations like Transportation Alternatives in the transportation plan proposed in the legislation. He criticizes the NYC Economic …
3:01:09
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3 min
