[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2380]]
          INTRODUCTION OF CLEANER BUSES FOR CLEANER CITIES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation that would 
eliminate federal transportation funding to any person or agency that 
purchases diesel-fueled buses to be used in any ozone, particulate, or 
carbon monoxide nonattainment area under the clean Air Act. Black 
clouds of diesel exhaust are all too commonplace in many urban areas. 
My bill, the Cleaner Buses for Cleaner Cities Act, will help alleviate 
the devastating environmental and health problems caused by diesel 
exhaust.
  Diesel exhaust negatively impacts millions of Americans every day. 
Diesel emissions are a large source of harmful oxides of nitrogen 
(NOX) and diesel particulate matter (PM). NOX is 
the main ingredient in ground level ozone (or smog) and a contributor 
to acid rain. Diesel PM is especially dangerous because it is fine 
enough to become lodged deep into the lungs, aggravating respiratory 
ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Furthermore, diesel 
exhaust has been linked to cancer, lung damage, and premature death.
  In my own district of New York City, the Metropolitan Transit 
Authority (MTA) has carelessly proposed to purchase 756 diesel buses, 
more than two times the number of alternative fuel buses they plan to 
acquire. Its decision and any other local agency's similar decision 
endangers the air quality and health of their communities. Many highly 
polluted cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, and Houston are 
phasing out diesel buses and switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) 
buses. CNG emits almost no toxic particles and significantly less smog-
forming gases. Federal policy should applaud and encourage such 
environmentally beneficial measures, not provide funding for practices 
that sustain health hazards.
  The elderly and children residing in poor minority communities suffer 
the most from the environmental hazards of diesel fuel. Asthma is the 
most common cause of hospitalization for children and asthma related 
deaths of children have risen 78% from 1980 to 1993. In certain parts 
of Manhattan and the South Bronx in New York City, the child asthma 
rates are five times the national average. The use of federal taxpayer 
money to perpetuate such a public health risk is illogical and 
irresponsible.
  All available measures should be taken to better the quality of life 
in our cities, especially for our children. Enactment of the Cleaner 
Buses for Cleaner Cities Act would bring us one step closer to our 
goal.

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