Ting Ting Wong opposes 561-A and describes school-bus idling concerns

Hello, my name is Ting Ting Wong.

I am a resident of Bed-Stuy and a former participant in the error complaint program.

Thank you, Chairman Gennaro, for your considerable patience and attention today.

Hey, this is...

I get paid to be here.

You don't, you know?

Yeah.

But still, I really appreciate you taking the time to hear everyone's testimony and your dedication to protecting clean air.

Thank you.

I first learned about the air complaint program when I was a substitute teacher in New York City public schools.

Students spend a lot of time outdoors, and the difference in air quality on a playground is noticeable when a large truck, especially one that is idling, is nearby.

More than 15 years ago, the city council wisely restricted idling near schools to one minute.

The council specifically cited school buses whose emissions are especially harmful because of exemptions under New York state law dating back to the 1990s.

Unfortunately, Intro 561A would effectively

school buses from enforcement in many circumstances on the grounds that they need to run their engines to maintain heating or cooling for the very students whose health they are putting at risk.

DEP standards for evidence are already demanding, and in practice they are much stricter than the law itself.

Videos submitted by first-time participants are often rejected, as are submissions from experienced participants when there is any doubt or deficiency.

This happened to me, and it's why I don't really participate in the program anymore.

DEP provides little guidance, and I was fortunate that other participants volunteered their time to help me get over the learning curve.

Enforcement in one neighborhood also helps discourage idling in others.

DEP needs more resources to work through its backlog of complaints.

Respondents should receive summonses more quickly or at least receive warning notices with links to the videos in question.

This is only fair.

We have already heard several proposals for accomplishing this without changing the law.

I urge council to reject 561A and focus on improving the program for more participation.

Thank you very much.

We appreciate you being here and your patience.