November 2, 2012

CONTACT:

Chris Gilbride/Ted Timbers (718) 595-6600

Department of Environmental Protection Announces Temporary Waiver of Two Percent Biodiesel Requirement for Heating Oil and New Streamlined Emergency Boiler Work Permit Guidelines to Aid Building Owners Recovering from Hurricane Sandy

New Emergency Guidelines Will Cut Application Permit Process By As Much as Two Weeks

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a temporary waiver of the two percent biodiesel requirement for heating oil. After consulting with heating oil industry representatives DEP has determined that there is a shortage of readily available heating oil containing two percent biodiesel in New York City. DEP is temporarily waiving the requirement set forth in Section 24-168.1(b) of the NYC Administrative Code that grade no. 2, 4, and 6 heating oil contain at least two percent biodiesel by volume. This waiver does not apply to the low sulfur content as set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) of section 24-169 of the NYC Administrative Code. The waiver will remain in effect for one month. In addition DEP announced new, streamlined emergency boiler work permit guidelines to aid building owners recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The new guidelines will allow temporary work permits to repair or replace damaged boilers to be issued by providing DEP with basic information about the work being completed, type of boiler being installed, and information about the licensed installer or plumber. The new emergency boiler work permit guidelines will allow work to begin immediately and cut the application process by as much as two weeks.

To receive a temporary emergency work boiler work permit, fax or email the following information to 718 595 3846 or email it to kliang@dep.nyc.gov and krishr@dep.nyc.gov.

• Address where the installation will occur
• Boiler and burner make and model numbers
• Boiler input / firing rate (BTU/hr.)
• Fuel type (only #2 and / or natural gas allowed)
• Name, phone number and address of the licensed installer / plumber

A complete Work permit application must filed with DEP within 30 days of issuance of the temporary work permit. Applications for a work permit can be downloaded from at http://on.nyc.gov/Rskj2o and hand delivered or mailed to DEP, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 9th floor, Flushing, NY 11373. Please be sure to include the installation number in the application.

For boilers requiring only registrations (firing rate below 2.8million BTU/hr. and more than 350,000 BTU/hr.), registration applications can be filed at: http://on.nyc.gov/T7MsNU

Earlier this year, DEP launched the Clean Air Tracking System (CATS), an online program designed to expedite boiler and equipment registrations and renewals, enable online payment of fees, and consolidate registration filings for building owners and property managers. Filers can now register boilers and equipment online, saving paperwork and in-person visits to DEP offices while also reducing the costs of complying with new boiler emissions standards and other requirements of New York City's Air Pollution Control Code.

DEP requires registration of all boilers with at least 350,000 BTUs of power. CATS allows building owners to track both current and prior registration filings, and combines multiple properties with a single owner or manager under one online account. After logging in, owners can register their email addresses to track registrations and payment histories, and can sign up to receive reminders, alerts, and other messages such as expirations of registration. Prior to the new online system, building owners and managers were required to register boilers in-person or by mail. Boilers with greater than 2.8 million BTUs of power require Certificates to Operate, which will be obtainable through CATS online by late 2012.

DEP manages the city’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs, and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP employs nearly 6,000 employees, including nearly 1,000 in the upstate watershed. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nycwater.