Call for Action to Reduce Truck Pollution & Emissions

City Council Candidate Brad Lander, Environmental & Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Leaders Call for Action to Reduce Truck Pollution & Emissions
Short and Long-Term Steps to a Greener Port

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BROOKLYN, NY -- City Council candidate Brad Lander was joined by local residents and environmental leaders today to call for action to reduce truck pollution in the Columbia Waterfront area, and to create a greener Port of New York, in light of recent decisions that will increase traffic at Piers 7 – 11.  At the event, the New York League of Conservation Voters endorsed Lander’s candidacy for City Council in Brooklyn’s 39th District.

Lander and allies gathered in response to several recent events.  The NYC Economic Development Corporation recently reached a deal with the Port Authority of NY/NJ, American Stevedoring, and Phoenix Beverage to import beverages using Piers 7, 10, and 11.  The Port Authority recently announced federal grants to develop a Comprehensive Clean Air strategy for the port.  

“We have both a deep need, and a great opportunity, to reduce truck pollution and work for a greener port,” said Lander.  “Using Piers 7 - 11 to bring in goods by ship is smart economic and environmental policy – it is less polluting than long-haul trucks, and creates good jobs in Brooklyn.  But more business in the port leads to an increase in local truck traffic and emissions.  It is therefore critical that all parties – EDC, the Port Authority, ASI, Phoenix and port users – take significant short-term and long-term steps to reduce emissions, make sure that pedestrians, cyclists, and residents are safe, and make the port into a model of sustainability.”

At the event, Lander was endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top policy and political priority. “Brad has a great record of results on environmental issues,” said Marcia Bystryn, NYLCV's president. “In his work at the Pratt Center for Community Development, he helped advance bus rapid transit and building retrofit programs to save energy and combat climate change. Today’s event shows that he is someone who will take leadership on critical environmental issues. We know he’ll be a leader in the City Council in moving New York City toward sustainability.”

Several community leaders in the Columbia Waterfront neighborhood spoke at the event.  “Our neighborhood is at a critical juncture,” said Frederick Fooy.  “We have seen many new families and businesses move in.  Community gardens have been planted, and progress is being made on the Brooklyn Waterfront greenway.  We embrace the port as a neighbor, and we want EDC, the Port Authority, and the businesses that operate there to do the same for us.  We were disappointed that EDC did not build more requirements into the lease with Phoenix.  By working together to reduce truck traffic and pollution, we can achieve a win-win-win, for residents, for businesses, and for the region.”

Community resident Brad Kerr added: “With these steps, we can turn the Columbia Waterfront Area, Red Hook, and ultimately the entire Port of New York into the greenest port on the eastern seaboard – making it a healthier place for workers and neighbors alike, and a vibrant and sustainable economic hub.”

Lander and allies called for both short-term and long-term steps:

In the short term:

•    EDC and Phoenix should agree to a faster, specific timetable for converting trucks and buses to compressed natural gas (CNG).  Currently, EDC is allowing Phoenix seven years; but no timetable or interim commitments have been made public.

•    Trucks moving goods between Piers 7, 10, and 11 should move internally within the port area.  Phoenix and EDC indicated this would be true at community meetings, but the lease promises only that "trucks moving overweight containers" will remain internal.

•    EDC and Phoenix should establish a “first source” program for new jobs:  Phoenix' new business offers a great opportunity to create good, green jobs for local residents.  While Phoenix has indicated a willingness to partner with a local non-profit organization (Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation), they should agree to create a formal, official first-source hiring and targeted workforce development program, with clear targets and monitoring.

•    The Port Authority and EDC should establish a timetable for connecting cruise ships to “shore power.”  Currently, cruise ships in port run on generators, which are highly polluting.  PANYNJ recently received announced substantial new federal grants to convert to shore power (through a process known as “cold ironing”, as part of their Comprehensive Clean Air Strategy for the port.  They should establish a date and timetable for making this a reality.   

In the long term:
All parties should work together to create a long-term, ambitious, comprehensive plan to make Piers 7 – 12 part of the most sustainable port on the eastern seaboard.   Such a plan could help increase both the competitiveness and sustainability of the port, and help make it a better place to live and work.  The long-term plan should look to achieve the following goals:

•    Full-scale conversion of all trucks and buses serving the port to CNG (or other alternative fuel/low-emissions) vehicles.

•    Shore power connections for all large ships in the port.

•    A new truck traffic/safety plan that explores use of Bowne Street/Hamilton Avenue ramps.

•    An updated plan and timetable for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, which considers running the greenway directly along Atlantic Basin (which is made possible by the Phoenix deal, since no loading/unloading will take place there).

•    A comprehensive “First Source/Green Jobs” program that connects Brooklyn residents to jobs in the port and related environmentally-friendly manufacturing and freight movement.

Lander is running in Brooklyn's 39th Council District (Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington).  Lander has the support of the NY League of Conservation Voters, Working Families, Party, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Councilmember Sara Gonzalez, 1199, the Freelancers Union, the United Federation of Teachers, Frederick Fooy, Brad Kerr, Judi Francis, Roy Sloane, Carmen Farina, Christina Curran, Vicki Weiner, Rick Luftglass, Aaron Naparstek, David Seideman, Phaedra Thomas, Rachael Dubin, Owen Foote, Ryan Lynch, Wendy Fleischer, and a wide range of other political, community, small business, and environmental leaders.