For Release: Wednesday, September 7, 2005
DEC'S "Emission Patrol" Is a Success in Enhancing Air Quality
Initiative Targets Potential Diesel Vehicle Emissions Violations
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the results from "Emission Patrol" - an agency initiative conducted during the month of July aimed at increasing compliance with the laws regulating smoke emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
"New York State is a national leader in improving air quality under the leadership of Governor Pataki," Commissioner Sheehan said. "This initiative succeeded in enforcing and bringing attention to violations of our air regulations during the months when air pollution can contribute to harmful health and environmental effects. I am proud of the hard work of DEC's Divisions of Law Enforcement and Air Resources and our partners to ensure compliance with our State's regulations."
The Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Reduction Act was signed into law by Governor Pataki in 1998. DEC enacted regulations to implement the law the following year. The goal of the Act is to reduce the harmful effects of unnecessary pollution from heavy duty diesel vehicles: increases in fine particulate matter, eye, throat and bronchial irritation, head aches, nausea, and the increased incidence of lung cancer.
Under the "Emission Patrol" initiative, throughout the month of July, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) in all nine of DEC's regions staffed extra patrols and road checks targeted at violations of the State's diesel emissions regulations. There were 49 separate details held across New York that checked 896 trucks, led by DEC's Divisions of Law Enforcement and Air Resources. Eleven different State and local agencies participated including: State Departments of Transportation, Agriculture and Markets, and Taxation and Finance; State Thruway Authority; New York State Police; NYPD, Suffolk County; and Woodbury, Little Falls, Avon and Greece Police Departments.
The results of the July 2005 Emission Patrol included 99 violations issued specifically because of non-compliance with the state's Heavy Duty Vehicle Emissions Reduction Act. An additional 380 violations were written for other vehicle and traffic violations, and resulted in the removal of 29 trucks from service that were found unfit to be on the highways. Penalties for air emissions violations range from $700 for the first offense to $1,300 for subsequent offenses. Ticketed individuals have 30 days to correct the problem and be retested. The penalties can be reduced if the problem is corrected.
To date, more than one-third of DEC's ECOs have been certified to operate computerized smoke meters used to measure diesel vehicle emissions. In 2004, in addition to their many other duties, ECOs conducted nearly one thousand vehicle emissions inspections and issued more than 300 tickets for air emissions violations.
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