{"id":2354,"date":"2023-02-16T22:01:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T22:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2354"},"modified":"2023-02-16T22:01:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T22:01:31","slug":"council-votes-to-expedite-phasing-out-fuel-oil-grade-no-4-in-boilers-across-the-city-resulting-in-cleaner-air-especially-in-environmental-justice-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2023\/02\/16\/2354\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Votes to Expedite Phasing Out Fuel Oil Grade No. 4 in Boilers Across the City, Resulting in Cleaner Air, Especially in Environmental Justice Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/em><\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs our city takes steps to protect our environment, we must ensure that Environmental Justice communities benefit,\u201d said Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cThe Council\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Committee on Environmental Protection<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 470-A<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member James Gennaro<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cFuel 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,\u201d said Council Member James Gennaro<\/strong>. \u201cFuel 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Committee on Civil and Human Rights<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 148-A<\/strong>, co-sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan<\/strong>, would amend the definition of \u201cvictim of domestic violence\u201d 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\u2019s ability to use or maintain economic resources that they are entitled to or to acquire economic resources, including by coercion, deception, fraud or manipulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew 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,\u201d said Council Member Justin Brannan.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019s actually going on in so many of these situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Committee on Parks and Recreation<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 897 <\/strong>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.<\/a><\/p>\n

Committee on Housing and Buildings<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 886<\/strong>, sponsored by Majority Leader Keith Powers<\/strong>, 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.  <\/p>\n

\u201cAs 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,\u201d said Majority Leader Keith Powers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Resolution 474<\/strong>, co-sponsored by Council Members Amanda Far\u00edas<\/strong> and Shahana Hanif<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very proud to have been able to pass Resolution 474, for New York City to formally recognize February 21st<\/sup> as Mother Language Day,\u201d said Council Member Amanda Far\u00edas<\/strong>. \u201cHonoring 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\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the first Bangladeshi City Council Member, I am thrilled to see today\u2019s resolution commemorating Matri Bhasha Dibosh, Mother Language Day, pass. This is a victory for all Bangladeshi Americans, from Kensington to Los Angeles,\u201d said Council Member Shahana<\/strong> Hanif<\/strong>. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resolution 486<\/strong>, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens,<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d said Council Member Althea Stevens.<\/strong> \u201cIt is an honor to establish February 15th<\/sup>, annually as Black Girl Magic Day in the City of New York in recognition of the accomplishments and issues faced by Black Women. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d said Council Member Nantasha Williams<\/strong>. \u201cWe 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<\/a>!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud to join my colleague and sorority sister. Councilwoman Williams to co-prime sponsor a resolution establishing Delta Day,\u201d said Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers.<\/strong> \u201cNew 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Committee on Education<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u201cIn 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,\u201d said Council Member Linda Lee<\/strong>. \u201cWe 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\u2019s vibrant AAPI community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finance<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Council also passed the following:<\/p>\n

A transparency resolution<\/strong> approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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<\/em><\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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