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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 372-03
December 22, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW LEGISLATION

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Law

"The next two bills before me are Introductory Number 122-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Avella, Brewer, DeBlasio, Liu and Quinn; and Introductory Number 585-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Avella, Brewer, Comrie, Gerson, Koppell, Quinn, Sanders, Sears, Weprin, Yassky, Felder and Nelson.  These bills amend New York City's Community Right-to-Know Program.

"The Community Right-to-Know Program was established by in 1988 to protect the environment and the health and safety of community members and emergency response personnel by providing information about the dangers associated with the storage, use, and handling of hazardous substances.  As part of this program, the Department of Environmental Protection, through its Bureau of Environmental Compliance, requires businesses to submit Facility Information Forms each year detailing the type of hazardous substances used, how much of each substance is stored on the premises, how they are labeled, and where they are kept in an effort to improve accountability and protect our citizens.

"Introductory Number 122-A codifies the Department of Environmental Protection's current practice of publishing relevant information from these Facility Information Forms, as well as information pertaining to the number of complaints, inspections and violations issued pursuant to the Community Right-to-Know law.

"Introductory Number 585-A amends the Right-to-Know law by increasing the penalties for violating the law with respect to filing Facility Inventory Forms, labeling hazardous materials and submitting risk management plans.  Additionally, this bill makes other technical changes to the law's penalty provisions designed to foster compliance with the Community Right-to-Know law.

"Together, these bills are designed to further safeguard the health and safety of employees, emergency response personnel and the general public.  

"I would like to thank Council Member Gennaro for his leadership on this legislation and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Chris Ward and Deputy Commissioner Robert Avaltroni and their staff for their strong and continuing commitment to the Right-to-Know program, which works to ensure the safety and well being of all New Yorkers."







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