Summary
This proposed legislation would authorize the Mayor of the City of New York to develop and present a traffic congestion mitigation plan to a new 17-member New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission. The Commission would review the Mayor’s plan and other proposals regarding reducing traffic congestion, take testimony and hold hearings, and make recommendations on implementing the plan to the State Legislature, the Governor, the Mayor, and the New York City Council. The State Legislature would be required to consider the plan on or before March 31, 2008. These provisions of law would be repealed if the United States Department of Transportation and the City of New York fail to provide certain program funds.

Explanation
Environmental Advocates of New York believes that traffic congestion mitigation is likely to result in better overall air quality for the people of the City of New York and will also reduce the pollution that causes global warming and may negatively affect the health of many New Yorkers.

Automobiles produce approximately one-third of the state’s emissions of climate-altering pollution. And in general, Environmental Advocates supports proposals to encourage the use of public transportation and reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled. Additionally, we recognize that asthma hospitalization rates in New York City are more than twice the national average and that the City falls short of achieving minimum federal air quality standards. Reducing automobile use should result in cleaner air. 

The Commission created by this bill would be responsible for holding additional hearings on the Mayor’s congestion pricing plan—and potentially other proposals to reduce traffic congestion—ensuring additional public input into this process. However, this bill would merely authorize future discussions on the topic of congestion pricing and leaves the details of any such plan to be approved by the Legislature at a later date.

As a general rule, Environmental Advocates of New York scores bills that create task forces or commissions with a one-tree rating in recognition that such a group’s work product might benefit the environment. Environmental Advocates will issue a memo of support or opposition on the proposal subject to legislative approval in March of 2008 and will continue to monitor this issue.

Environmental Advocates of New York supports this bill.