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New York Environmental Groups Hopeful State Lawmakers Might Fully Implement Pollution Law

EPA.gov

Environmental groups across New York are cautiously optimistic that a measure aimed at reducing diesel pollution will finally take effect in the upcoming budget after 12 years of delays. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, or DERA, was first approved by state lawmakers in 2006, but has still yet to be fully implemented.  Conor Bambrick with Environmental Advocates of New York and several other groups recently thanked Senate Majority Coalition Leaders in hopes that they will go forward with the Act.  He hopes the praise is not premature.

"They both passed resolutions leading into the budget negotiations calling for an additional delay of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. This year the Senate budget resolution no longer includes that language in it. At least publicly they are not calling for another delay here. So that gave us reason for hope."

DERA requires the state to either retrofit its older diesel vehicles with emissions controls or to retire them.  Bambrick says vehicles purchased after 2007 meet similar EPA diesel standards, and would be in compliance with the state legislation.

"We do know that since the law was passed about 12 years ago now, a large percentage of the state's vehicles have gradually aged out and they've gotten cleaner replacement vehicles in the process. But unfortunately the state hasn't been forthcoming with a complete picture of how many vehicles we're talking about."

The legislation would also apply to state contractors.  While the current budget proposal is still being negotiated, Bambrick says that they are still in the dark as the Senate negotiates behind closed doors.

"We would certainly hope that they wouldn't come back to the table after passing their public resolution to only continue to push for this delay and continue to essentially hurt the air quality of all New Yorkers by failing to allow this law to go froward."

Bambrick says diesel pollution is especially dangerous for young people and seniors. He says in New York State there are over 300,000 children and 1.4 million adults living with asthma.