Council also expanded domestic violence victim protections for economic abuse, co-named street for former Council Member Al Vann with 128 other street co-namings

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council ushered through legislation that would accelerate the phasing out of oil grade No. 4 in boilers. This legislation will create cleaner air and reduce negative health outcomes by expediting the phasing out of the most harmful type of heating oil still used in city buildings. The clean air and health benefits will be especially felt in environmental justice communities, where more than half of all buildings and schools currently use the hazardous oil.

The Council also passed several pieces of legislation to expand domestic violence victim protections to include economic abuse victims; co-name 129 city streets, including one for former Council Member Al Vann; and extend a moratorium on violations issued to business owners who have non-compliant signs that depict their businesses and extend an assistance program to correct signage issues.

“As our city takes steps to protect our environment, we must ensure that Environmental Justice communities benefit,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council’s legislation to fast-track the phasing out of harmful fuel no. 4 oil represents a significant and meaningful step that will save lives and protect the health of residents in communities of color. As a Council, we will continue to enact smart, green policies that support all New Yorkers, particularly those who have historically borne the brunt of environmental hazards.”

Committee on Environmental Protection

Introduction 470-A, sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro, would accelerate the timeline for prohibiting the use of oil grade no. 4 in boilers across the city. No. 4 fuel oil is the most polluting fuel oil still being used in the city and would be banned for use in city owned buildings after July 1, 2025, and for all other boilers after July 1, 2027. This will result in cleaner air that will prevent an estimated 16 premature deaths and save approximately $130 million in citywide health spending per year.

“Fuel No. 4 is the most polluting type of heating oil still being used in New York City. Annually, No. 4 heating oil adds about 120,000 pounds of lung-damaging fine particulate matter into the air. It also contains 100 times more sulfur than fuel No. 2, and sulfur oxides are among the most dangerous pollutants regulated by the Federal Clean Air Act. Removing these harmful emissions will prevent deaths, lifelong respiratory illnesses, and emergency room visits for asthma attacks every year,” said Council Member James Gennaro. “Fuel No. 4 also contributes a whopping 9,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. That is the equivalent of an additional 2,000 cars on the roads, spewing toxins into the air. I urge all my colleagues in Council to support this legislation, which will improve air quality for future generations to come.”

Committee on Civil and Human Rights

Introduction 148-A, co-sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would amend the definition of “victim of domestic violence” in the New York City Human Rights Law to recognize economic abuse as a form of domestic violence. It would extend the existing protections against discrimination for victims of domestic violence to people who have experienced economic abuse. This would include behavior that controls, obstructs, or interferes with a person’s ability to use or maintain economic resources that they are entitled to or to acquire economic resources, including by coercion, deception, fraud or manipulation.

“New Yorkers should take pride in our history of standing up for survivors of domestic violence. Survivors often need support to get out of these abusive and sometimes violent situations and sustainably reclaim their lives,” said Council Member Justin Brannan. “I’m proud to help expand the existing protections to survivors of economic and financial abuse. Economic abuse has always been a quiet and insidious form of domestic violence, even if government has historically missed the memo. This type of abuse occurs in almost every abusive relationship and is the number one reason victims stay in or return to abusive relationships. Now our laws, protections, and programs can catch up to what’s actually going on in so many of these situations.”

Committee on Parks and Recreation

Introduction 897 is an omnibus bill co-naming 129 city streets, thoroughfares and public places, in honor of extraordinary individuals and communities based on the requests of Council Members whose districts include the location. The full list is available here.

Committee on Housing and Buildings

Introduction 886, sponsored by Majority Leader Keith Powers, would extend a moratorium on violations issued to owners who have non-compliant signs that depict their businesses and extend a Department of Buildings assistance program to correct signage issues.  

“As the son of a small business owner, I know how hard they work to keep their doors open. This legislation is a simple but important step the city can take to protect small businesses from unexpected fines at a time when they need it the most,” said Majority Leader Keith Powers.

Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations

Resolution 474, co-sponsored by Council Members Amanda Farías and Shahana Hanif, recognizes February 21 as Mother Language Day in the City of New York to honor the importance of the Bengali/Bangla language to Bangladeshis everywhere and to promote the acceptance of linguistic and cultural diversity in our communities.

“I am very proud to have been able to pass Resolution 474, for New York City to formally recognize February 21^st as Mother Language Day,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “Honoring the Bangla language is of great importance to our Bengali and Bangladeshi communities in the Bronx and across New York City. Bangla is the native language of many of my neighbors in Parkchester, and as an Afro-Latina celebrating one’s language, culture, and history deeply resonates with me. It is something we all must continue to do to pass down mother languages to younger generations, and to fight the continued impact of colonialism on our communities.”

“As the first Bangladeshi City Council Member, I am thrilled to see today’s resolution commemorating Matri Bhasha Dibosh, Mother Language Day, pass. This is a victory for all Bangladeshi Americans, from Kensington to Los Angeles,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This resolution is a bold statement from our City that we stand with the Bangladeshi community in our never-ending struggle for language justice. My community is strong and I am proud to represent them in the New York City Council to fight for our shared values.”

Resolution 486, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, recognizes the accomplishments of and issues faced by Black women by designating February 15 annually as Black Girl Magic Day in the City of New York.

“The essence of Black Girl Magic shall be celebrated each and everyday, as black women surpass barriers and continuously exemplify excellence in all facets of life,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. “It is an honor to establish February 15^th, annually as Black Girl Magic Day in the City of New York in recognition of the accomplishments and issues faced by Black Women. “This day will stand in symbolism as we uplift current & future generations of Black Girl Magic. Our stories, our journey, and our stride to success will no longer be silenced or overlooked. From this day on, Black Girl Magic will shine light to all women of color.”

Resolution 488, co-sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams and Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, recognizes the contributions of Delta Sigma Theta to public service by designating March 3 annually as Delta Day in the City of New York.

“I’m thrilled to introduce Resolution No 488 alongside my Soror Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers with support from fellow Council Members Riley, Farias, and Krishnan,” said Council Member Nantasha Williams. “We are calling on the Council of the City of New York to recognize the contributions of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to public service by designating March 3, annually Delta Day in the City of New York. As a Delta this bill is very close to my heart. For the last 110 years our illustrious organization has made many contributions to the well-being of this city, state, and nation. This recognition is long over due!”

“I am proud to join my colleague and sorority sister. Councilwoman Williams to co-prime sponsor a resolution establishing Delta Day,” said Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “New York City is home to the first Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and I remain in awe by the amazing work our members do every day in their communities across this great City.”

Committee on Education

Resolution 164, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, calls on the Department of Education to establish Diwali as an official holiday for New York City public school students.

“In recognition of the 1.1 million Asian American Pacific Islanders who call New York City home, it is my honor and privilege to introduce Resolution 164 to require New York City Schools to recognize Diwali as a holiday,” said Council Member Linda Lee. “We cannot fully appreciate the great diversity of culture and beauty of our City when one-fifth of our public school students are ultimately forced to make a painful choice between attending school and celebrating their traditions at home with family. It is my hope that this resolution will allow children to partake in their celebrations in ways that previous generations of South Asian New Yorkers could not. I am thankful to Speaker Adams, Education Chair Rita Joseph, and my colleagues for supporting New York City’s vibrant AAPI community.”

Finance

The Council also passed the following:

A transparency resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

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