Rising Mega-Warehouse Pollution Requires Urgent Action as Clean Deliveries Act Continues to Evade Assembly’s Focus
New York State legislative session ended without Clean Deliveries Act
Contacts
Nydia Gutiérrez, ngutierrez@earthjustice.org
(S.1180B/A.3575B) The New York State Assembly once again missed an important opportunity to deliver clean air regulations for the people living with the highest rates of air pollution. The legislation, which passed the New York State Senate for the second year in a row, would direct the state to review emissions related to large e-commerce mega warehouses and require warehouse operators to choose from various actions to minimize pollution from new and existing facilities.
A groundbreaking report from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) found that 260,000 truck trips per day, many of which are highly polluting diesel trucks, are associated with e-commerce mega warehouses. The report also found that, annually, 13,500 new pediatric asthma cases are attributable to NOx, a main pollutant released by diesel trucks. One in four New Yorkers lives within a half mile of a mega e-commerce warehouse, and 50% of these warehouses can be found in disadvantaged communities.
The following statement is attributed to the ElectrifyNY Coalition:
“As the federal administration races to strip clean air, clean water, and environmental justice protections, it is profoundly disappointing that the Assembly neglected to pass the Clean Deliveries Act this session. This legislation offers the solution New York communities desperately need that are choking from increased truck traffic and dirty air from rapidly expanding e-commerce mega warehouses. We commend the Senate for championing this legislation for two years in a row and urge the Assembly to prioritize this for passage during the 2026 legislative session. New Yorkers are counting on the Assembly to step up for clean air.”
ElectrifyNY is a statewide coalition of advocates for environmental justice, public transportation, social justice, and good jobs fighting for a clean, equitable electric transportation future for New York. We aim to improve the environment and public health outcomes for the communities most affected by the negative impacts of the transportation sector’s dependence on fossil fuels.
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