NYC proceeds with rule forcing wood-fired pizzerias to cut emissions 75%

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

IN NEW YORK CITY, OFFICIALS HAVE QUIETLY APPROVED A NEW CONTROVERSIAL GREEN INITIATIVE.

THE PLAN REQUIRES PIZZA PARLORS AND MATZAH BAKERIES –USING DECADES-OLD WOOD- AND COAL-FIRED STOVES TO CUT THEIR SMOKY POLLUTANTS BY 75% — IN NEWS FIRST REPORTED BY THE NEW YORK POST.

UNDER MAYOR ERIC ADAMS — THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT APRIL 27TH.

APPROXIMATELY 130 BUSINESSES IN THE CITY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW RULE, WITH MANY EXPRESSING OPPOSITION.

SOME CONCERNED CITIZENS HAVE ALSO QUESTIONED WHY PIZZA OVENS WERE BEING TARGETED INSTEAD OF DIESEL TRUCKS — CALLING IT A BURDEN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

MEANWHILE, SOME PIZZA ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE ALREADY COMPLIED WITH THE UPCOMING MANDATE — AND HAVE ALREADY SHELLED OUT MORE THAN $600,000 – INSTALLING NEW SMOKE-EATING SYSTEMS.

THE RULE COVERS OVENS INSTALLED BEFORE MAY 2016, IN LINE WITH A LAW PASSED IN 2015 UNDER THEN-MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO’S ADMINISTRATION – REQUIRING COAL AND WOOD-FIRE PIZZA RESTAURANTS TO CURB THEIR PARTICULATE EMISSIONS.

THOSE UNABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT MUST SUBMIT ASSESSMENTS EXPLAINING WHY — WITH A MINIMUM GOAL OF 25% CUT IN EMISSIONS.