Erin Wright (BP Reynoso's office) on CWZ bills and Intro 369

Thank you so much.

Good morning, Chair, and thank you for holding this hearing.

My name is Erin Wright, and I'm here representing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

He appreciates your ongoing attention to the rollout of commercial waste zones, a program he created during his time in your position.

When fully implemented, this program will address issues with the private carting industry by limiting vehicle miles traveled, increasing enforcement of dangerous driving,

incentivizing the replacement of out-of-date fleets, requiring more attention to worker safety, and increasing diversion of waste from landfills.

Despite unfortunate delays and our continued calls for DSNY to speed up the program's rollout, the BP has been pleased with its implementation so far.

Initial information indicates that increased enforcement in the active zones is leading to improved safety outcomes, that more workers now have union protection, and that the program has not caused costs to rise dramatically as some have predicted.

I'm here to provide comments on the three bills being heard today in relation to CWZ as well as Intro 369.

First, Intro 353 would create a CWZ working group.

The Council has been considering this bill for many years and it's time to finally pass it.

Having experts at the table from both within and outside the industry can only help guide the process and ensure its continued success.

Intro 367 would require DSNY to establish a plan

for accepting commercial waste at the marine transfer stations.

BP Reynoso originally introduced this bill when he was at City Council, and unfortunately DSNY continues to slow roll this necessary measure, which would remove dangerous and polluting waste trucks from our streets.

Thanks to advocacy by the EJ community, marine transfer stations,

Remove waste by barge and rail rather than long haul truck.

This bill would push DSNY to create a clear plan that would support our EJ communities and we urge the council to pass it quickly.

Intro 911A would increase the number of carters allowed to participate in CWZ in Staten Island.

BP Reynoso has concerns about this proposal and the precedent it could set for other zones citywide.

Further comments are provided in writing on 369 in addition to a copy of our report on the bill.

Thank you.

I just want to show everyone what experience looks like.

We really thank you for all your testimony and your reports and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for all of his work on this committee and the work that he will continue to do.

So thank you.

And with that, this panel is dismissed.

And we thought we were done.

We are not done.

They have joined us on Zoom from the ether.

Lou, can you hear us?

You may begin.