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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bryce Nack, Member of New York City Clean Air Collective on Air Quality and Last Mile Deliveries
2:24:11
ยท
138 sec
Bryce Nack, representing the New York City Clean Air Collective, testified in strong support of Intro 107 for improved air quality monitoring, particularly in environmental justice zones. He expressed concerns about Intro 1130 as currently drafted, citing potential lack of accountability for the Department of Environmental Protection.
- Highlighted the effectiveness of the citizen air complaint program in reducing idling from delivery trucks
- Suggested a similar citizen complaint program could address the issue of illegal 53-foot trucks in the city
- Emphasized the need for more work to be done, as some companies continue to idle habitually despite progress
Bryce Stack
2:24:11
Yes.
2:24:11
Good afternoon.
2:24:12
My name is Bryce Nack, and I'm a member of the New York City Clean Air Collective.
2:24:17
NYCAC, as we call it, is a nonprofit organization which advocates for cleaner air in New York City with a particular focus on reducing pollution from idling trucks in environmental justice areas.
2:24:30
I speak today highly in favor of Intro one zero seven.
2:24:33
This legislation is precisely what we need in order to get to the root of the problem of air pollution, especially in environmental justice zones.
2:24:42
I'm an active participant in the citizen air complaint program, and I can say with confidence that citizen enforcement ensures that last mile delivery cuts down on pollution.
2:24:52
This enforcement occurs in both environmental justice zones and other areas because Amazon and other companies park large box trucks on the street, turning the engine off in almost all cases, thanks to the efforts of the citizen air complaint program.
2:25:06
And then workers, in these cases, they walk or they ride electric bikes to deliver Amazon packages to their final destinations.
2:25:15
The Citizen Air Complaint Program also covers environmental justice zones, which include warehouses.
2:25:22
The less density in housing currently incentivizes companies to use smaller trucks for last mile delivery.
2:25:28
Although these trucks are idling much less than in the past due to the citizen air complaint program, more work needs to be done and some companies continue to idle habitually.
2:25:38
And regarding the proposed legislation, Intro eleven thirty, as it is currently drafted, I'm very concerned.
2:25:45
The the Adams administration, who appointed the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, is looking to enforce rules that they are writing without counsel approval or input.
2:25:58
And I'm concerned that as the bill is currently drafted, the Department of Environmental Protection will not be held accountable to the public or the council.
2:26:07
And briefly, if I could talk about the issue of 53 footers, I think a citizen complaint program could solve the issue overnight.
2:26:15
We've seen this happen with idling.
2:26:16
There are companies that have stopped idling overnight because when you hit the company where it hurts in their wallets, when they have to pay fines, they will no longer break the law.
2:26:26
So thank you very much for holding this, hearing.
2:26:29
Thank you.