Cruise Companies Cited For Excessive Smoke

Seven cruise companies have been cited for pumping excessive amounts of smokestack emissions into the air of Alaska's capital city, state officials said.

Observers hired by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) found that 11 ships violated state smoke-opacity standards when they were docked in port in Juneau between mid-July and mid-August, officials said. Companies accused of the smokestack violations, which allegedly blotted out the coastal scenery, were Princess Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, World Explorer, Crystal Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines.

The agency plans to send its information onto the state Attorney General's office for a legal response, along with information on any other violations that occur in Juneau or elsewhere in southeast Alaska, an official said.