Cruise ships that dock in San Francisco now have access to a cleaner energy source

Cruise ships at SF dock get access to clean power

SAN FRANCISCO — Cruise ships that dock in San Francisco now have access to a cleaner energy source.

Officials unveiled equipment on Wednesday that allows the ships to plug in to the city’s electricity grid instead of relying on on-board diesel generators for power. Those generators release noxious particulates that are blamed for increasing rates of bronchitis, asthma and other lung ailments.

The new power source comes from hydroelectric plants in the Sierra Nevada. It does require each ship to be upgraded at a cost of about $1 million, but officials say the ships’ operators will save money in the long run.

The $5.2 million shoreside power system is the first in California and among only a handful around the world.

Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach are working on similar systems.