Ernest Welde opposes 11, 561, 562, and 869 and supports 48
Welde compares annual air-pollution deaths to traffic and gun fatalities and says idling is the largest single source of illegal air pollution. He argues 561-A would violate the state constitution's right to clean air and urges a no vote.
My name is Ernest Weldy, and I'm speaking in opposition to intros 11, 561, 562, and 869, and in favor of 48.
I'll focus on 561.
It is unrecoverable.
Over the past five years, there have been about 250 traffic-related fatalities per year for a total of 1,264.
There have been about 400 homicides by gun per year for a total of 1,990.
Over that same time period, according to the Department of Health and today's testimony, there have been approximately 2,400 deaths due to poor air quality every year for a total of 12,000 people, plus countless other health issues.
The Department of Health attributes these two to just two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5.
The largest contributor in New York City of these pollutants is idling vehicles.
In fact, idling is the largest single source of illegal air pollution in New York City.
Just to put this in context, if there were 2,400 murders by gun in New York City every year, the governor would likely call the Nats.
National Guard, and it would be the singular focus of city council.
But what does city council do when confronted with 2,400 deaths per year?
They call a hearing to minimize the best program that is actually reducing that staggering death toll.
You have heard over and over today how effective this program is in reducing illegal idling in New York.
In fact, it's really the only street-level environmental law that is enforced.
There have been virtually zero tickets for plastic bags, straw and demands, open doors during AC season.
You guys are great at passing laws, but the city is awful at enforcing them.
Intro 561 violates the state constitution, Article 1, Section 19.
It's short but straightforward.
Each person shall have a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment.
This bill, if passed, would clearly violate this provision of the state constitution.
There has been no analysis as to what this will do to the air quality.
30 minutes of idling in front of a school for small children who are among the most affected by poor air quality.
Unlimited diesel idling for regeneration.
If this bill is passed, it will definitely decrease the quality of New York City's air quality.
You must not violate your duty to protect our environment.
It's incredible with all the environmental issues facing the city.
We're focused on rolling back protections for New Yorkers.
This is a polluter-friendly bill.
It would give billion-dollar corporations a major break.
It would be sad to take away if the takeaway here was that city council is protecting polluters by harming New Yorkers.
This doesn't make the program better.
We need to...
change the program in some ways, but not this.
Don't disincentivize reporters by lowering the citizen share.
Please vote no on 11, 561, 562, 869, and yes on 48.
And I'm curious if you could talk about why you think the program isn't working, as you said earlier.
Yeah, we ask the questions.
Thank you.
Hang on.
Nicholas?
Okay.
Yeah.