PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Patrick Schnau, Pediatrician, on NYC's Citizens Air Complaint Program and Proposed Legislation
2:09:57
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133 sec
Dr. Patrick Schnau, a pediatrician and participant in the Citizens Air Complaint Program, testifies in support of Intros 5 and 291 while strongly opposing Intro 941. He argues that Intro 941 would be detrimental to the environment and human health, particularly for children.
- Criticizes Intro 941 for extending school bus idling time, potentially harming children's health
- Argues that anti-idling technology discounts in Intro 941 may actually encourage more idling
- Expresses concern that Intro 941 would reduce incentives for citizen participation in the program, undermining enforcement of anti-idling laws
Dr. Patrick Schnau
2:09:57
good afternoon.
2:09:57
My name is Doctor Patrick Schnau as a pediatrician and participant in the systems at complaint program support intro 5291, but I strongly oppose 941 because 941 is a compilation of proposals that are diametrically opposed to protecting the environment and consequently human health.
2:10:14
First, this bill would significantly extend the time school buses are allowed to idle throughout the city.
2:10:19
Specifically school buses will be able to idle for 18 minutes at certain temperatures with no penalties at all.
2:10:24
It is truly remarkable that in the age of impending climate collapse, we're debating a proposal to increase rather than to limit idling.
2:10:32
And it's also remarkable the detrimental effect on the health and well-being of school children does not seem to have any relevance whatsoever to whoever author this proposal.
2:10:40
Children are clearly going to be harmed by this bill.
2:10:43
2nd, Intra 941 would encourage more idling by giving a discount to companies that installed so called anti idling technology.
2:10:51
In reality, these devices are frequently already installed in trucks in operation today.
2:10:55
I have seen truck drivers intermittently tap on their gas pedals to outsmart this technology.
2:11:01
They may invade tickets, but they don't stop idling.
2:11:03
All these devices do is let companies escape some instances while still exposing New Yorkers to unnecessary air pollution.
2:11:10
As such, these devices actually encourage idling it.
2:11:14
If intro 941 passes drivers and companies will quickly learn that they are now free to idle as much as they want without having to see any enforcement.
2:11:22
Interim 941 will therefore cause more pollution, not less.
2:11:27
3rd, interim 941 reduces incentives for citizens to join the program, undermining the only effective means of enforcing our anti idling laws.
2:11:34
This program requires a lot of work.
2:11:36
I realized that $88,937 may sound like a lot of money.
2:11:41
But in reality, many funds are never paid And if they do get paid, it may take 2 to 5 years.
2:11:46
In addition, we have significant expenses and pay taxes on this money.
2:11:50
With the current award structure, we generated $50,000,000 for New York City.
2:11:58
This money dwarfs in comparison with the positive financial and human long term impact by eliminating idling.
2:12:03
There will be fewer deaths over the next 5 to 50 years, fewer cancers, fewer hospital admissions, fewer New Yorkist diagnosed with heart attacks, stroke,
