QUESTION
Council Member Aviles Asks EDC About 2035 Shore Power Timeline, Compatibility Standards, and Monitoring Compliance
0:48:26
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6 min
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 cruise industry's interests over those of New Yorkers and emphasizes the city's responsibility to lead in sustainable technology implementation. She highlights the need for clarity and actionable commitments, expressing concern over definitions of financial harm and safety in emissions reduction agreements. The EDC reassures their commitment to improving shore power capacity while navigating technical and strategic challenges.
Speaker 2
0:48:26
In terms of So the bill so just just in terms of the 25 the 20:35 time frame.
0:48:43
That is determined by the cruise operators, not by New York city mandates to meet climate goals or the actual health impacts that we're experiencing now.
0:48:57
I just want to be clear where EDC is getting their direction from.
Speaker 7
0:49:02
So the 2035 date is based on the Cruise Line International Association.
0:49:07
Mandate cross all cruise lines globally.
0:49:10
So that is the date certain that all vessels will be shore power capable.
0:49:19
President Kimball is steadfast in his commitment to move with purpose and urgency to equip both Manhattan cruise terminals and Brooklyn cruise terminals with the shore power needed to connect to every ship that comes in.
0:49:34
And we are making significant steps towards that progress.
Speaker 2
0:49:39
I appreciate that.
0:49:40
But for the record, I have to note that We work for the residents of New York City, not for the cruise liners and their billings of dollars and revenues that we see no benefit of.
0:49:51
So those queues should be from our communities, from New Yorkers, not from the cruise lobby, or the cruise industry.
0:49:58
That decides it's gonna get its ships ready.
0:50:01
This has been a long standing issue that the that the industry quite knows quite well has been a problems.
0:50:09
So I think I I just have to say that for the record.
0:50:12
I feel like there is a very there's a different boss in the room, and it somehow is not us.
0:50:20
And I'm that I find that deeply problematic.
Speaker 7
0:50:24
Can I can I elaborate counsel on me?
0:50:26
Because I I understand that frustration.
0:50:28
And I think a lot of the frustration also stems from there is no universal standard for shore power, and that that complicates things.
0:50:37
Because what it means is we wanna make thoughtful and effective investments in shore power, and we don't wanna repeat the mistakes of the past.
0:50:46
We wanna build systems that are gonna connect to these ships that are retrofitting or new ships.
0:50:52
And so the reason we we have have referenced Kia, it is not to say that we're following them, but we wanna make sure the shore power we are expanding at our terminals is compatible because there is no universal standard.
0:51:05
And we do support a universal standard and are working with that industry to try and implement 1 because we wanna be the leading We want to be on the cutting engine and leading this initiative.
0:51:16
But that does complicate things.
Speaker 2
0:51:19
Yeah.
0:51:20
I appreciate that.
0:51:20
And also in New York City, the I mean, this market is probably one of the largest markets for for the industry themselves and our market share is significant and our capital is significant.
0:51:36
And like other sustainable technologies, we don't wait till other people decide to build them at their profit margin.
0:51:44
We ensure that we create the market and the incentives to do what's right at bare minimum.
0:51:50
So I think the 2035 deadline is just too far out.
0:52:00
It it's too far out.
0:52:01
And benefits the cruise industry more than New Yorkers, but I'm gonna I'm gonna move on.
0:52:10
In terms of so the bill we introduced requires that the contracted entity be responsible for monitoring the operator's compliance.
0:52:19
With shore power plug in.
0:52:21
However, the EDC complaint claims, excuse me, that this is not necessary because the cruise agreements ask operators to reduce emissions where feasible and where it does not cause financial harm to the operator or create a safe decrecern.
0:52:40
How are these things at all similar, especially when financial harm is not defined?
Speaker 8
0:52:50
I'm I'm sorry, council member.
0:52:51
I'm I'm not sure what you're referring to in terms of any conversation about financial harm to the cruise operators.
0:53:02
What what we have said you know, in sort of early discussions with committee council is that, you know, we want to negotiate this bill in a way that is reflective of the council's goals and our shared alignment.
0:53:20
On improving shore power utilization at both terminals.
0:53:25
We the, you know, the cost to be able to do that, yes, is something that the city and EDC need to manage.
0:53:34
In terms of the financial commitments and the capital planning.
0:53:39
But as Sabrina laid out, we already have that capital commitment confirmed for Brooklyn cruise terminal.
0:53:46
That work is ongoing for increasing capacity.
0:53:50
And then once the feasibility study is complete for Manhattan Cruise Terminal, then we'll have an understanding of what the cost is and what infrastructure improvements would be needed in order to bring shore power to the Manhattan cruise terminal.
0:54:06
So I I apologize if if there was confusion in in that conversation, but what we wanna be clear is that from a planning perspective, we are moving forward to improve short power capacity.
0:54:24
At both locations.
0:54:26
And we're doing it in a way that still allows for, as Sabrina laid out, both the real time decision making that needs to be happening with the ship's captain, the elect critical engineer and all of the the technical realities each time that the ship is coming into birth.
Speaker 2
0:54:47
You know, then I just have to note that the the the phrase where it does not cause financial harm to the operator or create a safety concern.
0:54:56
Was in a presentation that the EDC gave to us directly.
0:55:01
So I don't know where the miscommunication is.
0:55:05
But I think what we're asking for is certainly clarity of definition and where none of these things are are fully elaborated.
