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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Discussion of Intro 1130 (indirect source rule legislation)
0:34:21
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Commissioner Aggarwala discusses Intro 1130, which would direct the DEP to promulgate an indirect source rule for warehouses. He expresses support for the legislation and highlights areas for potential refinement.
- Strong support for creating a warehouse indirect source rule
- Desire to work with counsel on refining the language
- Concern about the current definition of a warehouse in the bill
- Current language may identify a smaller universe of warehouse operators than intended
- Need for a definition that includes all operations significantly impacting air quality
- Legislation must go through formal environmental review process (SEQR)
- DEP funded $2.2 million for SEQR review, expected to be completed in 2026
Rohit Aggarwala
0:34:21
Now, turning to the specific bills up for hearing today, I'll start with Intro eleven thirty which would direct DEP to promulgate an indirect source rule.
0:34:29
We're grateful to council members of Villais, Brooks Powers and other co sponsors for introducing this legislation and to you, Mr.
0:34:36
Chair, for calling this hearing.
0:34:37
As you can tell from my testimony, we are strongly supportive of creating a warehouse indirect source rule and look forward to working with counsel on language.
0:34:46
One area we'd like to discuss is the definition of a warehouse.
0:34:49
We share the goal of focusing on large warehouse operators.
0:34:53
The language in the draft in the bill seems to be identifying a smaller universe of warehouse operators than we had envisioned the policy would apply to.
0:35:01
Of the five twelve warehouses we identified that are greater than 50,000 square feet, only 80 are distribution centers.
0:35:09
A rule limited to distribution centers would likely be significantly less impactful than a rule addressing a larger universe of large warehouses.
0:35:17
We would like to work together to find a warehouse definition that includes all operations whose truck traffic is significantly impacting air quality while not including small operators.
0:35:28
I'll also note that this legislation must go through the formal environmental review process or SEQR before it can be brought to a vote.
0:35:36
SEEKR is the process by which city agencies determine what effect, if any, a discretionary action they approve may have on the environment.
0:35:43
SEEKR considers a variety of technical areas including socioeconomic conditions, public health, transportation, energy and air quality.
0:35:50
The public is invited to provide input in this process and findings from this analysis are shared with the public.
0:35:57
DEP has been funded just under $2,200,000 for a SEQA review of this policy and is preparing to begin that process in the coming months.