PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ryan Lokey, Amazon Delivery Driver
2:42:15
·
120 sec
Ryan Lokey, an Amazon delivery driver, testified against Intro 941, arguing that the proposed changes to the Citizens Air Complaint Program would be ineffective and unfair. He highlighted issues with current anti-idling technologies and the unrealistic expectations placed on citizen enforcers.
- Lokey pointed out that many companies, including Amazon, have already installed idle limiters, but drivers often circumvent them by restarting vehicles.
- He criticized the proposal to reduce the submission time for citizen enforcers to 5 days, compared to the 9 days given to DEP inspectors.
- Lokey called for a fair bill that works for all stakeholders, including DEP, employers, participants, and environmental justice neighborhoods.
Ryan Lokey
2:42:15
Good afternoon.
2:42:16
My name is Ryan Lokey.
2:42:17
I'm here today to offer testimony regarding intro 941.
2:42:20
As you have likely noticed, I am wearing an Amazon delivery vest.
2:42:24
I am not speaking on behalf of Amazon, but I am speaking as an Amazon delivery driver who spends most of his day in environmental justice neighborhoods.
2:42:31
I also live in 1.
2:42:32
I applaud the committee for seeking out ideas on how to provide violators the opportunity to reduce their fine in return for reducing pollution going forward.
2:42:40
However, the committee has proposed a solution that will not work in reality.
2:42:44
Many companies have already installed shut off in idle limiters.
2:42:47
I know Amazon has on many of their vans and their large 18 wheel trucks.
2:42:52
The shutoffs, however, are commonly set for 2 a half minutes.
2:42:56
Us drivers know this.
2:42:57
Most drivers will simply turn the vehicle off and then immediately turn it back on when the idle limiter kicks in.
2:43:04
This avoids a violation, but there's almost nothing to stop the pollution.
2:43:08
I have dozens of videos of these shutoffs and restarts and will happily make them available to any member who would like to view them.
2:43:14
Further, it is unrealistic to expect DEP to oversee the installation and upkeep of the devices.
2:43:19
D DEP clearly does not have the manpower funding to take on any more administrative tasks at this point.
2:43:25
Further, DEP claims they don't want full time citizen enforcers, but for some reason, once citizen enforcers to submit faster than a DEP enforcement agent, it makes no sense.
2:43:35
As I believe the DEP officials testified too, an inspector has 9 days to submit their complaint.
2:43:40
This bill would only provide 5 days to citizen enforcers.
2:43:43
How is that fair on any level?
2:43:45
I have a demanding full time job.
2:43:47
My hours can vary considerably between Thanksgiving and Christmas and may not be able to submit until after the holiday season ends.
2:43:53
That could be up to 6 weeks later.
2:43:55
Perhaps a reasonable compromise is an order on the time frame, but it is unreasonable to expect full time responsiveness from non full time participants.
2:44:03
I respectfully ask the committee to vote down this bill and instead get to work on a fair bill that works for everybody.
2:44:09
DEP, employers, participants, and the economic or the environmental justice neighborhoods.
2:44:14
Thank you.
