On Tuesday, October 8th, and Wednesday, October 9th, Amazon marks the third annual event, “Amazon Prime Big Deal Days,” a prime opportunity to begin early holiday shopping. In July, Amazon’s Prime Day surpassed previous profit records during its 48-hour event, exceeding all previous sales since its inception in 2015. Although holiday deals attract shoppers with bargains and early or exclusive access, community members who live near e-commerce mega-warehouses would dispute the celebration.

The pollution generated by Amazon’s holiday sales will exacerbate existing environmental struggles in the New York region, contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. E-commerce mega-warehouses operate 24/7 and produce emissions equal in scale to those from power plants and factories. As the holiday season approaches, major shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday will increase delivery vehicle trips and tailpipe emissions. According to EDF’s “Warehouse Boom” report, 4.9 million residents live within half a mile of a leased warehouse 50,000 square feet or larger. Unlike traditional warehouses, these e-commerce mega-warehouses are larger, with some larger than 15 football fields combined.

The trucks operating out of these warehouses pollute particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, worsening local air quality and increasing the risk of asthma, heart attacks, and premature deaths in the surrounding neighborhoods. These impacts are far from evenly distributed — of the 4.9 million residents living near warehouses, 315,000 are under age five and 649,000 are over age 64. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and low-income populations live near warehouses at rates that are more than 59%, 48%, and 42% higher, respectively, than would be expected based on statewide demographics. The health and safety impacts of these warehouses are placed on communities already overburdened by the effects of historically rooted discrimination in housing access and racially biased land-use planning.

To address these issues, state legislation referred to as the Clean Deliveries Act is needed to reduce emissions from e-commerce warehouses to improve public health and advance cleaner air for disadvantaged communities.

“E-commerce giants reaping big profits should invest in being good neighbors, and deliver on their promises to stop spewing toxic air pollution into our streets. Electrifying their truck fleets not only will immediately reduce air pollution but will also help spur electrification across the e-commerce sector. New York can help clean the air on the roads and in neighborhoods with mega-warehouses by passing the Clean Deliveries Act in the next legislative session,” said Rachel Spector, senior attorney at Earthjustice.

“This week millions of online shoppers will take advantage of steep discounts and free deliveries as part of Amazon Prime Day. But the true cost of these deliveries is the toll they take on disadvantaged communities and our climate,” said Jaqi Cohen, Director of Climate and Equity Policy at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “On what is the hottest year on record, we need to hold the e-commerce industry accountable for its role in fueling the climate crisis. We need to pass the Clean Deliveries Act.”

“Low-income communities of color across the state live with these e-commerce mega warehouses that are causing traffic and air pollution in their neighborhoods every day. The holiday shopping and big bargain deal days exacerbate these issues,” said Kevin Garcia, Senior Transportation Planner at the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. “We need these major corporations to reduce their emissions by switching to zero-emission vehicles and the State passing the Clean Deliveries Act is the path forward to ensure we are protecting our communities and creating healthy neighborhoods.”

Background

The Clean Deliveries Act establishes an indirect source review (ISR) program for certain warehouse operations and requires the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct a study regarding zero emissions zones.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• A review of emissions from all e-commerce warehouses exceeding 50,000 square feet.
• An air emissions reduction and mitigation plan requiring warehouse operators to minimize pollution by implementing one or more of the following:
  • Acquiring zero-emission vehicles & charging infrastructure
  • Installing solar panels and/or batteries on-site
  • Considering alternative transportation modes for incoming or outgoing trips where appropriate
  • Paying additional fees
• Enhanced protections for warehouses operating in disadvantaged communities or that impact schools and similar facilities
• A permit requirement for new warehouse developments or those proposing significant modifications
• Ongoing reporting requirements related to truck traffic and emissions mitigation measures
• A zero-emission zones study on the feasibility, benefits, and costs of implementing low and zero emissions designated areas for air pollution and congestion hotspots within New York State

New York State has been a clean energy leader, passing the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule in 2021, and enacting the Advance Clean Cars II (ACCII) Rule in 2022 to reduce emissions economy-wide and advance a just transition towards a zero-emission transportation sector. Passing the Clean Deliveries Act is a critical next step towards achieving New York State’s climate mandates, and ensuring that New Yorkers that are burdened with emissions from fossil fuels are prioritized for zero-emission investments.

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. Our work aims to improve the environment and public health outcomes for the communities most affected by the negative impacts of the transportation sector’s dependency on fossil fuels.