“It’s hypocritical for the IDC to claim they are fighting asthma while supporting a delay in diesel clean-up. Diesel and asthma don’t mix.

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2018

Dirty Deal: Top Environmental Advocate Slams IDC for Delaying Diesel Clean Up in State Budget

Albany, NY – Peter Iwanowicz, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY, released the following statement today slamming the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) and their majority conference allies for using this year’s budget to continue to delay the implementation of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act:

“It’s hypocritical for the IDC to claim they are fighting asthma while supporting a delay in diesel clean-up. Diesel and asthma don’t mix. All but one of the IDC members represent a district that fails to meet federal air quality standards. They seem to care more about allowing vehicles to keep burning toxic diesel fuel than helping New Yorkers breathe cleaner air. For several years in a row, the IDC and their Republican Senate colleagues have actively delayed the implementation of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, and they are trying to do it again in this year’s budget. It’s wrong, and they should be ashamed of themselves. If these state lawmakers really cared about the environmental health of New Yorkers, they would take action now to implement the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. It’s that simple.”

Last year, the IDC budget resolution specifically called for a two-year delay in diesel clean-up, which undermines any recent claim from their spokespeople about supporting the reduction of diesel emissions.

For proof of that call for a two-year delay, see page 19 of last year’s IDC budget resolution here: www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/idc_one-house_budget_reso.pdf

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