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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kevin Garcia, Senior Transportation Planner from New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
3:07:24
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124 sec
Kevin Garcia, representing the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, testified in support of Intro 107 and Intro 1130, emphasizing their importance in addressing the impacts of e-commerce warehouses and protecting environmental justice communities. He highlighted the need for stricter emission standards and comprehensive worker protections.
- Stressed the disproportionate impact of air pollution on communities near industrial zones and highways
- Called for the exclusive use of zero-emission vehicles in Intro 1130, rejecting "near-zero" alternatives
- Emphasized the need for companion legislation to address labor issues and worker protections in the e-commerce industry
Kevin Garcia
3:07:24
Good afternoon, everyone.
3:07:26
My name is Kevin Garcia.
3:07:28
I'm the senior transportation planner with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.
3:07:33
Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today, and thank you to the council for all of their work on this.
3:07:38
We are part of the Last Mile Coalition and the Electrify New York Coalitions, which work to regulate the siting and operation of last mile and mega e commerce warehouses.
3:07:48
NEJEA has long advocated for reducing vehicle miles traveled, tailpipe emissions, and air pollution.
3:07:54
And many of our members' communities are located near industrial business zones, truck routes, and highways and have been disproportionately impacted by the air pollution.
3:08:04
Intro 107 and Intro eleven thirty are key pieces of legislation to address some parts of the unregulated e commerce industry, and companion legislation to protect workers is necessary.
3:08:16
Intro one zero seven presents an opportunity to illustrate the impacts of increased truck traffic and, protect the health of communities, particularly EJ communities.
3:08:26
Now Intro eleven thirty is ambitious in establishing the nation's first citywide indirect source rule to address the emissions associated with ecommerce warehouses.
3:08:37
However, the bill needs to address some critical concerns to ensure a comprehensive approach, to reducing emissions.
3:08:43
The legislation should require zero emission vehicles and not allow for near zero emission vehicles, including but not limited to biofuel of renewable diesel, compressed natural gas, or renewable natural gas.
3:08:58
By permitting nonzero emission vehicles at these at these facilities, New York City will not be able to reach its climate targets, and neighborhoods will continue to experience delayed reductions in air pollution.
3:09:10
It is encouraging to see that the city council is tackling the issues of this unregulated industry, and these two pieces of legislations are key pieces of the complex puzzle to address the impacts of e commerce warehouses And companion legislation to address labor issues and establish worker protections is also necessary.
Robert F. Holden
3:09:28
Time is my Thank you.