by Tyrone Richardson

Charleston City Council is scheduled today to vote on a resolution in support of adding shoreside power capabilities at the State Ports Authority’s downtown cruise passenger terminal.

Councilman William Dudley Gregorie introduced the city resolution, saying shore power at the Union Pier Terminal will improve air quality in the downtown.

Shoreside power is a hot-button topic in the growing debate about pollution from cruise operations in downtown Charleston.

Environmentalists and neighborhood groups have complained about pollution in the historic district coming from cruise ships idling their engines at Union Pier. Most complaints target the Fantasy, a 25-year-old vessel based in Charleston year-round.

The Fantasy now must run one of its six engines to generate electricity while in port, triggering calls for the SPA to force vessels to generate power with a shoreside outlet.

There could also be state money set aside for shore power. The House budget-writing committee recently approved up to $5 million to equip Union Pier with shore power. That means the funds will be included in the proposed budget that will be sent to the House for a vote.

The SPA has been reluctant to embrace shoreside power, saying the agency does not want to be held to one single measure to reduce emissions from cruise ships.

The agency said there are other technologies to lessen emissions.

Earlier this month, Newsome argued the case during an SPA board meeting that was attended by Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and several City Council members.

During the presentation, Newsome announced that the Carnival Fantasy will be outfitted with air-pollution scrubbers when the vessel goes into dry dock in October 2015.

The scrubbers are designed to reduce sulfur dioxide, with filters to trap soot.

Also, the SPA will ask the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to add an air-quality monitor at its Union Pier Terminal.

Following the presentation, several City Council members, including Dean C. Riegel and Aubry Alexander, questioned if it would be premature to approve the shoreside power resolution.

Newsome is scheduled to make the same presentation today before the full City Council.