Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, January 19, 2001

Release # 024-01

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton
(212) 788-2958




MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL PROHIBITING USE OF HEAVILY POLLUTING
ENGINES IN SIGHTSEEING BUSES

Remarks by Mayor Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws

The next bill before me is Introductory Number 813-A, sponsored by Council Member Koslowitz at my request. This legislation will amend the Administrative Code to significantly improve the City's air quality by prohibiting the use of heavily polluting engines in sightseeing buses.

Sightseeing buses are the only vehicles on the City's streets that are allowed to operate with engines that do not meet any federal Environmental Protection Agency standards. Because of a loophole in the 1990 federal Clean Air Act, certain sightseeing buses are able to qualify as "antiques," a designation that permits the buses to operate with outdated engines that pollute at far higher levels than engines that conform to current EPA standards.

Recognizing the serious environmental impact that these antiquated engines have on the City, I submitted this legislation, drafted with the assistance of the EPA, to the City Council. The bill will empower the Department of Consumer Affairs to require that sightseeing buses be equipped with EPA certified engines in order to obtain or reapply for operating licenses. Consumer Affairs will create an inspection process to ensure that sightseeing buses comply with the bill's requirements and will have the power to suspend or revoke the license of any non--compliant bus.

This legislation will reduce the amount of pollution spewed into the City's air. According to a 2000 Department of Transportation study, one sightseeing bus with a non--EPA certified engine generates as much particulate matter, or pollution, as 25 diesel commuter--style buses with EPA compliant engines. The environmental impact of a fleet of 70 antiquated sightseeing buses is equivalent to the impact of 1,750 MTA diesel buses, approximately 40% of the entire MTA fleet. This bill will ensure that sightseeing buses operate with cleaner, more efficient engines, just like their MTA and commuter bus counterparts.

There is simply no reason that sightseeing buses should not be required to meet the environmental standards placed on other vehicles. The timely and sensible environmental protection measures provided by this bill will enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

www.nyc.gov

Go to Press Releases | Giuliani Archives | Mayor's Office | NYC.gov Home Page
Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Statement | Site Map