Westchester Legislators Parker and Jenkins Move County Toward More Green Vehicles

Residents can begin to look for more County-owned green vehicles soon, as the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) moves toward approving new legislation co-sponsored by Legislators Catherine Parker (D-Rye) and Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) that will strengthen the existing County law which governs the purchase of motor vehicles to better ensure that high mileage, electric hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles are purchased for use by County officials and employees.

Westchester County has long been a model for municipal use of hybrid fuel vehicles and was, indeed, one of the earliest users of hybrid vehicles that are now today’s norm.

The new green vehicles, which will be required to have an engine that is rated as having a combined city / highway fuel consumption of thirty-five (35) miles per gallon or more (by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), typically use less fuel to run, and so will reduce fuel costs for county taxpayers. Additionally, green vehicles produce less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and the new legislation includes tough smog rating requirements for high mileage vehicles.

“This new legislation will help Westchester County to transition its fleet of vehicles away from low mileage, heavy emission models and toward those that will reduce fuel costs and lower the environmental impact while in use,” said Legislator Parker, chair of the BOL Environment & Energy Committee.

The Board of Legislators is expected to vote on the new green vehicles bill this evening at its next regular meeting. If the bill is approved, it will be sent to County Executive Astorino to be signed into law. The green vehicles law was crafted in collaboration with the Administration and received bipartisan support during its committee review.

“Adding greater definition to the existing law to ensure compliance shows that the County is serious about finding ways to save money—and do our part in safeguarding the planet for future generations,” said Jenkins. “This is a good example of how necessary it is for all of us to work together to meet the challenges ahead.”

Initially, Legislators Jenkins and Parker proposed the Green Vehicles Sustainable Savings Act in March 2014 to resolve a problem where the legislative intent of the Alternative Vehicle law passed by the BOL several years ago was not being followed. Presently, the County Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) can grant exemptions from the provisions of the existing law regulating the purchase of high mileage and alternative fuel vehicles for “good cause.” Because this has been interpreted too broadly in some cases, resulting in nominal compliance with the strictures of the legislation, Jenkins wanted new language included to qualify exemptions.

Added Jenkins: “Eliminating the loophole in the County law, which allows the Administration to stick with bigger, gas guzzling vehicles, will save taxpayer dollars and help protect our environment.”

When the green vehicles legislation was introduced in July 2014 by Legislators Parker and Jenkins, certain smog rating requirements for new vehicles were added as well. Smog ratings from vehicle tailpipe emissions of pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide will need to be six (6) or higher on new vehicles purchased after January 1, 2015, seven after January 1, 2016 and eight (8) after January 1, 2017. The scale is based on U.S. vehicle emission standards, with one (1) being worst and ten (10) best.

Smog and air pollution are problematical issues for Westchester residents, according to testimony given to members of the BOL Environment & Energy Committee this summer by representatives from the American Lung Association.

“We applaud Westchester County for moving forward with efforts to replace their dirtiest vehicles with cleaner, more efficient vehicles,” said Michael Seilback, Vice President of Public Policy and Communications at the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “Vehicle exhaust is a major contributor to air pollution. With Westchester already designated an ozone non-attainment zone by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, efforts like this become critical to achieving healthy air. We look forward to eventually seeing an entire fleet of zero-emission vehicles serving Westchester County.”

Photo: Catherine Parker