Big Apple's Big Victory for Clean Air
New heating oil rules being proposed by the Bloomberg administration are a breath of fresh air -- literally -- for the eight million residents of the Big Apple.
Dirty home heating oil accounts for more soot pollution than all the cars and trucks in New York City combined.
The rules being proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection require that all boilers in New York City burn lower-sulfur oil or natural gas.
Only one percent of city buildings still burn the dirtier Numbers 4 and 6 heating oil, but those buildings account for more soot pollution than all the cars and trucks in New York City combined.
NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn described the new rules as "a huge victory for clean air in the five boroughs," and thanked Mayor Bloomberg along with DEP Commissioner Cas Holloway for advancing clean-air goals sought in PlaNYC.
To minimize costs, the regulations will be implemented in several phases. First, effective immediately, any newly-installed boilers will be required to only burn low sulfur No. 2 oil, natural gas, or the equivalent from an emissions standpoint. Second, all boilers will be required to switch from No. 6 oil to the new low sulfur No. 4 heating oil by 2015, or to an equivalent cleaner fuel. It is estimated that converting a boiler that typically burns No. 6 oil to one that can accommodate low sulfur No. 4 oil will cost roughly $10,000.
Third, existing boilers that have not been replaced by 2030 must be modified to meet the equivalent emissions of burning low sulfur No. 2 oil or natural gas.
The Health Department estimates that these regulations could prevent 200 deaths, 100 hospitalizations, and 300 ER visits for ailments caused by air pollution.
The public can comment on the proposed rules through the end of the month. A public hearing will be held on Feb. 28 at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 6th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373, from 10:00 A.M. to 12 Noon. Written comments can be sent on or before Feb. 28, as well at www.nyc.gov/nycrules.
