April 25, 2023
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, and New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix today highlighted the 10 companies that are the worst truck idling offenders in the city. After receiving 420 complaints as a result of the Citizens Air Complaint Program, one of those companies, Loomis — an armored car company — has agreed to fully electrify its fleet by 2025. Since its inception, the Citizens Air Complaint Program has seen a 440-percent increase in submissions and is on track for 90,000 complaints in 2023, marking its biggest year ever. The city also announced that Amazon, the second-worst offender, has already paid more than $1 million to settle outstanding violations issued to the company and its affiliates.
“Today, we’re making two things clear: If companies do the right thing and electrify their fleets, we’ll have their backs. And if companies don’t, while they idle and continue to expose our children to asthma-causing pollution, we’ll hold them accountable,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers deserve clear streets and clean air, and the Citizens Air Complaint Program is helping us deliver.”
“Every vehicle idling on our streets is pouring pollution into our atmosphere and our airways, and we won’t allow that to continue,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “The companies behind this public health hazard have a choice: They can do the right thing and electrify their fleets, like Loomis is, or we’ll make them pay for the damage they’re causing.”
“DEP will not stand ‘idly’ by while these companies allow their fleet vehicles to ruin New York City’s air quality and fill the lungs of our residents with harmful pollution. These companies have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and public health, and that is why DEP is working with the City Council to strengthen our idling laws and improve the Citizens Air Complaint Program,” said Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “I want to thank New Yorkers for their vigilance in protecting the environment and providing us with the video evidence needed to levy penalties against these top ten offenders.”
“The city takes seriously its obligation to combat excessive engine idling,” said Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix. “The city will continue to pursue collection on the large number of outstanding, unpaid violations to provide a disincentive to the continued problem of excessive idling on our streets.”
“Loomis is committed to be the industry leader in reducing our carbon footprint and having the most efficient transportation network possible. Reducing CO2 emissions from our vehicles through the investment in electric vehicles is a major component of our plan,” said Patrick Otero, chief financial officer, Loomis. “We look forward to our partnership with New York City as we invest in our fleet and continue our rollout of zero-emission electric vehicles in the city. Loomis Armored US will be completely emission-free in New York City by the end of 2025.”
Loomis does not turn off their vehicles during their routes due to security concerns. As a result of Loomis’s commitment to fully electrify their fleet by 2025, and continued demonstrations of progress towards that goal, the city will issue a variance for idling penalties against Loomis. Loomis will purchase six electric vehicles a year over the next three years. Currently, two vehicles in the Loomis fleet are already electrified. Loomis has already presented DEP a purchase order from February for six vehicles for 2023. This pledge aligns Loomis with the city’s climate goals of reducing idling pollution and improving air quality, and it is expected to inspire other companies to take necessary steps toward fleet electrification. DEP will be reviewing Loomis’ progress at a six-month interval to ensure compliance with the variance. If Loomis fails to show sufficient progress, DEP can revoke the variance. During the next two years, Loomis will also determine if there are any issues that could preclude the purchase of the additional vehicles, such as the inability to receive necessary permits to install adequate chargers for their electrified fleet.
More at NYC.gov
