New York announces statewide diesel truck emission enforcement blitz 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is conducting a week-long enforcement detail targeting idling trucks and emissions violations.

In an April 21 announcement, the DEC said that the enforcement blitz is taking place in approximately 30 locations statewide to commemorate Earth Week.

The DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement, in coordination with DEC’s Division of Air Resources staff will conduct emissions inspections on diesel vehicles to “help identify non-compliant heavy-duty vehicles and reduce emissions of fine particulate matter in disadvantaged communities where there is often significant heavy-duty vehicle traffic.”

Additionally, “Environmental Conservation Police Officers will also engage in targeted enforcement of regulations restricting idling time for diesel vehicles. Reduced idling time cuts down on air pollution and noise, improves fuel economy, and saves diesel operators and consumers money. Officers will also monitor compliance of pesticide applications, solid waste transportation, and open burning as part of the Earth Week detail.”

“New York State continues to lead the nation in taking bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants that harm our environment, economy, and affect Environmental Justice communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “This latest diesel truck detail, happening as we commemorate Earth Week, will take dirty trucks off our roads and provides us with a great example of why we need to accelerate our transition from fossil fuels to prevent the damage they cause to our climate and the health of our communities.”

Counties where details are taking place include Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Schoharie, Delaware, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Clinton, Washington, Warren, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Oneida, Cortland, Oswego, Broome, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Allegany, Chautauqua, Niagara, and Erie counties.

In New York City, an anti-idling program allows locals to collect cash “bounties” for reporting idling trucks.