Filed Under: Local | New York City | Air | Air | Local Law 51 of 2003 | Transportation

Hybrid Cars: 2006 Toyota Prius HybridIn April 2003, the Mayor’s office, the EPA and New York’s Department of Transportation announced that New York City qualified to join the Department of Energy’s “Clean Cities” program, a public-private partnership formed a decade ago to reduce air pollution and the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum. The program promotes the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as natural gas, ethanol and electricity. In order to qualify, cities must develop a program that includes private and public cooperation to reduce dependency on fossil fuel, and expand and promote the use of alternate sources of fuel. New York City earned entrance into the program by creating the largest fleet of hybrid vehicles in the country and partnering with 38 private sector firms to increase the availability of alternative fuel. Road transportation vehicles of all types account for 20% of America’s global warming pollution and the soot and smog that impact our health. According to the DOT, cars, buses and trucks generate 71% of the New York metropolitan region’s carbon monoxide emissions, 53% of its ozone depleting smog and 70% of air-borne toxic chemicals. Zero and low emission vehicles, therefore, are one of the most important resources we have to improve global warming and air pollution. With this in mind, the NYC Department of Transportation’s has implemented an Alternative Fuels Program and engaged all levels of government agencies—and utilities such as KeySpan and Con Edison that have sizable private-sector fleets—to put more than 6,000 alternative fuel vehicles on New York City roads. Since 1993, when the program was announced, New York City has come to operate the largest municipal electric vehicle (EV) fleet in the United States with nearly 100 EVs in use. Today, 480 non-emergency vehicles are hybrid vehicles, consuming 50% less gasoline than traditional ones. Of the 1,289 buses operating in the City’s franchised bus program, 353 buses use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and approximately 150 medallion taxis are using CNG. The New York City Department of Sanitation operates 26 CNG compactor trucks, 5 CNG sweepers, 328 CNG light-duty vehicles and 350 light-duty vehicles that are powered by ethanol. The US Postal Service operates 22 electric vehicles and 207 CNG trucks and pumps over 60,000 gallons of bio-diesel per month into their diesel-powered trucks. The New York Power Authority operates the largest electric sedan commuter program with 100 vehicles operating in and around New York City. While the State of New York is developing a comprehensive CNG fueling network for state vehicles, New York City already boasts 22 CNG refueling sites, 18 of which are public, one ethanol-refueling site and 20 electric rechargers. New Rail Proposals The MTA capital plan has proposed other programs to repair and expand the current public rail transportation infrastructure that will help reduce vehicle emissions. Key elements include the East Side Access program, which would bring the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to the East Side and Grand Central Terminal; a new transit hub at Ground Zero with a possible rail link to Kennedy Airport; a Second Avenue Subway; and a rail link to La Guardia Airport. There is public controversy, however, over whether extension of the proposed Second Avenue subway line along the entire length of the East Side, with extensions to the boroughs, is an MTA priority for NYC and the region. Funding such expensive projects' construction is always a challenge with revenue streams drying up and shrinking. The five-year capital plan is expected to have related costs of $20 billion to cover expansion without deferring maintenance in the system or neglecting nuts and bolts. In November 2003, the Congressional Transportation Appropriations Conference Committee earmarked $75 million for the East Side Access project and $2 million for the Second Avenue Subway project. It was the single largest discretionary earmark the MTA has received in the past six years and is considered key to helping fund initial planning efforts. More funds are being sought and expected over the next two years. NYC School Boiler Conversion The 1996 New York State Clean Air/Clean Water Bond Act is underwriting a $67.5 million program to replace school coal-fired furnaces with cleaner, more efficient natural gas-fired furnaces. The New York State Power Authority and the NYC School Construction Authority are also funding school boiler conversions in the City. The average cost of conversion is $1.35 million per school, and typically the work must take place while school is not in session.