Lew Dubuque seeks enforcement fixes for waste and recycling trucks

Good afternoon, Chair Gennaro and members of the committee.

My name is Lou Dubuque, and I'm representing the New York City chapter of the National Waste and Recycling Association.

Our industry supports improving air quality and reducing unnecessary emissions.

However, we have serious concerns about how the city's idling laws are being enforced.

Let me give you three examples.

First, our members are receiving idling tickets while actively collecting garbage simply because the compactor blade isn't moving.

Does the city really want operators running their compactor blade every three minutes, whether necessary or not, just to avoid a ticket?

This absolutely makes no sense.

Second, our members have received tickets during diesel particulate filter regeneration, a necessary process that actually reduces emissions.

Some have been told to drive back to their yards to complete regeneration, then return to their routes.

How does driving additional miles across the city improve air quality?

Finally, a member received a ticket while waiting for a car and bicyclist to pass.

The driver was operating safely and was penalized for it.

We appreciate the intro of 561A that it had

addresses diesel regeneration and the citizen complaint process.

However, the legislation needs to go further.

We urge the council to explicitly protect vehicles throughout the active collection process, required regeneration cycles, and temporary stops necessary for public safety.

Our members should not have to choose between complying with idling regulations, operating their equipment properly, and protecting public safety.

We support cleaner air, but enforcement needs to reflect how our industry actually operates.

We will be submitting more detailed written testimony.

Thank you for your time today.

Thank you very much.

That was very compelling testimony about what your industry has gone through, and it is

a welcome addition to all of the information that we received today.

Thank you, Chairman.

You bet.

Thank you.

Best to you.

Next witness is Christian Fama.

Let me begin.

I'm going to say not present.

Next witness, Patrick Thomas Schnell.