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Budget, Education & City Services
CB5 Resolution Opposing the use of No. 4 and No. 6 Heating Oil in NYC Public Schools
WHEREAS, The Borough of Manhattan has 46 public elementary, middle and high schools that burn No. 4 and No. 6 "dirty" heating oils, which produce large amounts of particulate matter and soot in the air: and
WHEREAS, These particulates contain sulphur dioxide, nickel and other pollutants that cause or exasperate asthma, bronchitis, heart and lung disease and cancer, and the continued use of these heating oils in the public schools is hazardous to the children, teachers and parents in the school community; and
WHEREAS, The regulations governing the maintenance and capital improvements in the public schools must be modified and streamlined by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Educations (DOE) and the School Construction Authority (SCA) to convert the schools' heating systems to allow for the switch to natural gas or No. 2 heating oil and renewable sources of energy; and
WHEREAS, Energy policy analysts have estimated that the costs associated with the conversion of the heating systems will be offset by savings in fuel costs and operating expenses, as well as savings in health care costs, thereby justifying the capital expenditure to the City; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five calls on the DEP, DOE, and SCA to convert or replace the burners in the affected schools and streamline the regulations governing the maintenance, renovation and capital improvements in the public schools to convert the schools' heating systems to allow for the switch to natural gas or No. 2 heating oil in an expedited manner.
The above resolution passed with a vote of 21 in favor, 11 opposed, 1 abstaining.