Eileen Spinner supports the complaint program and opposes 561-A
Spinner says she has asthma and that anti-idling laws went largely unenforced for decades until citizens stepped up. She opposes 561-A as a corporate giveaway, supports Intro 48, and says the mayor could expand language access without legislation.
Good afternoon.
My name is Eileen Spinner, and I'm here to support the Citizens Air Complaint Program.
Yeah, if you could speak a little closer to the mic, that'd be great.
I'm here to support the Citizens Air Complaint Program, which is working very, very well.
I have asthma, and the nearly 50 years that nobody bothered to enforce the anti-idling laws on the books probably didn't help with that.
The city's anti-idling laws have only really been enforced in the past seven years, and only because citizens have stepped up to do this important work.
I am testifying against the very dangerous Intro 561A.
At least 25 different environmental and civic groups oppose this bill because it's nothing less than a corporate giveaway by the city council to polluters.
It also opens up a dangerous loophole for diesel regeneration, which is an extremely dirty process, especially in our city.
There's a reason it's already illegal to regenerate while idling.
Keep it that way.
To be clear, we must expand access to this program to all New Yorkers, including the 2.5 million who don't speak English as a first language.
In fact, while I strongly support Intro 48, it isn't really necessary because the mayor could fix his predecessor's misguided policy today.
I also support raising fines, but again, Intro 11 doesn't need to exist at all because the mayor's administration has the power under the law to raise fines already.
We cannot go backwards on clean air.
In fact, I am very troubled that this hearing is even happening today.
Who is supporting?
This bill has zero co-sponsors.
The council staff amended this bill in response to criticism, and the amendments made it worse.
As drafted, Intro 561 will effectively legalize diesel engine idling and give $100 million to polluting corporations.
If there's a battle of wills between the council and the mayor, I say stop playing politics with our health.
I implore you not to pass 561A.
Let's not turn the clock back on clean air and good health.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your compelling testimony.
Next witness.
Hi, just a hold.
Just I have to talk to counsel.
If you only knew what we were just talking about.
Should I put this on the record?
Just so you know.
Okay.
Yeah, and so it was, yeah, please just talk right into the mic and proceed with, state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.