Fabian Derewiecki of Local 78 testifies on asbestos permitting delays
He supports accelerating affordable housing, but says asbestos permitting delays are a critical obstacle, and urges support for professional certification legislation to speed up abatement.
Good afternoon for the record.
This is my son's first name.
So good afternoon, Chair Riley and members of the committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on Mayor Mandani's block by block housing plan and the importance of removing barriers to affordable housing construction.
My name is Fabian Derwiski and I'm here on behalf of Local 78, the Asbestos, Lead and Hazardous Waste Laborers Union.
Our members perform hazardous materials remediation, including asbestos, lead, and mold removal at the construction sites throughout New York City.
We support efforts to accelerate affordable housing development.
From our perspective, one critical obstacle must be addressed, delays in asbestos permitting.
Asbestos abatement is often among the first steps in construction project.
When approvals are delayed, the entire project is delayed.
The city has a strong regulatory framework throughout the Department of Environmental Protection.
Asbestos control program, which is overseen by the Asbestos Technical Review Unit, A3.
However, due to staffing shortages, approvals that once took weeks are now taking months.
This can leave office to residential conversions and other types of housing stalled before construction even begins.
This increases costs and delays the delivery of desperately needed housing.
The block-by-block housing plan mentions this specific issue on page 100.
These delays also have serious safety implications.
As a union, job site safety for our members and other trades is our priority.
However, when asbestos remains in place on the job site, it puts workers at risk of exposure.
The slowness of DEP's approval is not making construction safer, it is making it more dangerous.
Allowing professional certification or ProCert would speed up the removal of asbestos so fewer workers are at risk of exposure.
Local 78 has been working with Councilmember Riley on legislation to allow qualified professionals to use professional certification in the asbestos permitting process.
This would allow qualified professionals to certify
compliant plans and proceed with abatement without waiting months for DEP approval.
The block-by-block housing plan seeks to accelerate affordable housing development in a safe manner.
To achieve this goal, the city must address the permitting delays that prevent projects from advancing.
We urge the council to support the process legislation when introduced and work toward its prompt passage.
Our members are ready to do work necessary.
Your time expired.
And to bring affordable housing to New Yorkers.
Thank you.