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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 366-03
December 22, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION REQUIRING ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL IN CRANES, BULLDOZERS AND BACKHOES

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Law

"The next bill before me is Introductory Number 191-A, sponsored by Council Members Gerson, Clarke, Comrie, Jennings, Perkins, Yassky, Avella, Serrano, Koppell, Quinn, Seabrook, Katz, Brewer, Gennaro, Gioia, Gentile, DeBlasio, Moskowitz, Liu, Baez, Boyland, Recchia and McMahon.  This bill will require that any diesel powered, non-road vehicle, with an engine fifty horsepower or greater, that is owned or leased by the City, must be powered by ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and must utilize the best available technology for reducing the emission of pollutants.

"The United States Environmental Protection Agency finds that diesel exhaust from non-road vehicles, such as cranes, bulldozers and backhoes, in addition to being a known carcinogen, is a major source of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides -- pollutants associated with respiratory problems, including aggravated asthma and decreased lung function.  The connection between non-road diesel exhaust and aggravated asthma is of particular concern, as New York City suffers some of the highest asthma rates in the country.  As the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan continues and the City further improves upon its roads, buildings and infrastructure, the use of non-road construction vehicles is anticipated to increase throughout the five boroughs.   

"Introductory Number 191-A amends the City's Administrative Code to require the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and the best available emission reducing technology by non-road vehicles in City construction projects. More importantly, using ultra low sulfur diesel fuel facilitates the application of emission reducing technologies capable of achieving even further pollutant reductions. 

"Initially, this legislation will only apply to City projects in Lower Manhattan, but will be phased in Citywide over the course of the next two years.  This phase in allows fuel suppliers, pollution control manufacturers, and the construction industry adequate time to prepare and comply with the law.  Additionally, this timeline positions New York City as a leader in the reduction of non-road diesel pollutants.

"Significant improvements in the quality of the City's air require a regional and national solution.  However, reducing the level of sulfur in diesel fuel used by our own construction vehicles is a small, but critical step the City can take to improve the air we breathe.  I would like to thank Commissioner Chris Ward of DEP, Chris Manning & Felix Ciampa from City Legislative Affairs, and all the agency staff for their hard work on this legislation."







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