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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Discussion of Intro 107 (air quality monitoring legislation)
0:36:07
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131 sec
Commissioner Aggarwala discusses Intro 107, which would require specific air monitoring on heavy-use thoroughfares. He expresses concerns about the bill and suggests alternative approaches to addressing air pollution.
- Appreciation for the bill's focus on traffic pollution
- Concern that the bill would mandate costly investments that may not achieve intended goals
- 97% of NYC streets meet the 100,000 annual vehicle threshold in the bill
- Belief that additional data collection system is unnecessary
- NICAS and DEC's statewide community air monitoring initiative provide sufficient data
- Suggestion to focus resources on implementing policies like the indirect source rule
- Willingness to work with the sponsor to refine the approach
Rohit Aggarwala
0:36:07
The process typically takes a year, so we will expect it will be completed in 2026.
0:36:13
We look forward to working with you on council and stakeholder participation in that process.
0:36:20
Intro 01/2007 would require specific air monitoring on heavy use thoroughfares.
0:36:26
While we appreciate this bill's focus on traffic pollution, we believe it would mandate a set of investments that would not achieve what we think the bill's intention is of reducing air pollution.
0:36:36
Intro 107 would require significant and costly air monitoring on almost all city streets.
0:36:42
97% of New York City streets meet the 100,000 annual vehicle threshold.
0:36:48
We strongly believe that we do not need an additional data collection system.
0:36:52
We have the information we need to create data informed policies.
0:36:56
The NICAS system is the largest ongoing urban air quality monitoring program of any U.
0:37:01
S.
0:37:01
City and has provided us rich data.
0:37:04
NICAST data has been the basis for major policy initiatives already.
0:37:08
Recently, in addition and could I have the next slide, please?
0:37:12
DEC has launched a statewide community air monitoring initiative that has collected street level pollution data from 10 disadvantaged communities around the state.
0:37:22
Four of these are in New York City in sections of Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens.
0:37:27
DEC collected the street level data for a year and are now using it to develop air pollution mitigation strategies.
0:37:33
They expect to issue a final report of recommended strategies later this year and we look forward to the results of this initiative.
0:37:40
Finally, the indirect source rule itself as contemplated in Intro 11/30 would require warehouses to track the number and type of trucks that come into their warehouses every day.
0:37:51
With that count, we can accurately determine the amount of pollution that trucking activity is introduced to a given area.
0:37:58
At this point, allocating resources toward effective implementation of policies like the indirect source rule and other pollution reduction strategies we think would be more protective of New Yorkers than further data collection.
0:38:10
We'd like to work with the sponsor and councilmember.
0:38:13
I appreciate your openness and willingness to continue discussing this with that priority in mind.