GREEN APPLE BONDS ARE BUILDING MOMENTUM
Wide range of supporters lend voices to push for innovative plan
*****************************************
NEW YORK, NY – The following statements were issued in support of New York City Comptroller John C. Liu's plan to issue "Green Apple Bonds" as a means to remove harmful PCBs from City schools; six-years ahead of schedule and at a savings of $339 million.
Statement of New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer
"I have long been a critic of the Department of Education's proposed ten-year timeline to rid our public schools of toxic PCBs," "I want to thank Comptroller Liu for his innovative proposal to quickly rid our schools of these dangerous chemicals, while saving taxpayers money over the long-term."
Statement of Dr. David Carpenter, M.D., Director Institute for Health and the Environment, SUNY at Albany:
"The Green Apple Bonds program, with its two-year timeline, is a smart way to reduce students' and school staff members' exposure to toxic PCBs. PCB exposure is linked to a range of serious adverse health impacts, including decreased IQ, ADHD and behavioral problems, early pubertal onset, thyroid hormone dysfunction, menstrual irregularity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, among others. The effects of exposure are irreversible and particularly pronounced in children, whose brains and bodies are still developing. The Green Apple Bonds program, which would achieve the swift removal of PCB-contaminated light fixtures, should be lauded for its prioritization of children's health and safety and commitment to ridding schools of PCBs as quickly as possible."
Statement of Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie:
"Parents should not have to worry, wondering whether or not schools are chemically and environmentally safe for children. The Green Apple Bond is a smart and innovative program that will not only remove harmful chemicals, but at the same time save New York City millions of dollars. I would like to thank Comptroller Liu for initiating this program and giving families the assurance that we are focused on the safety of our children first."
Statement of Mona Davids, President, New York City Parents Union:
"The New York City Parents Union supports Comptroller Liu's proposal to issue Green Apple Bonds to finance the removal and replacement of light fixtures containing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) from the NYC public schools by 2015, six years ahead of the City's current schedule. The health and safety of our children cannot wait. The Department of Education is complaining they don't have the funds to safeguard our children's health; Comptroller Liu has a solution to their funding concern. This is an excellent solution that will safeguard our children's health, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is a no-brainer. We hope the Department of Education heeds Comptroller Liu's common sense proposal and finally puts Children First."
Statement of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.:
"PCB's are dangerous, and it has been a top priority of my administration to see them removed from our public schools. This innovative new plan is a serious step towards removing these toxic chemicals from our schools, and I look forward to seeing its implementation. As I have said in the past, there is no greater concern than the health and well-being of our children, and PCB's must be removed from our public school buildings,"
Statement of Noah E. Gotbaum, Member Community Education Council District 3 - Upper West Side and West/Central Harlem:
"As a public school parent of three I want to know why the Mayor is disregarding the deadly risks posed to my children and others in public school buildings. The Comptroller has put together a terrific and responsible plan to protect our kids. Mayor Bloomberg, show us that you truly believe in 'putting children first' and support the Green Apple Bond Plan to quickly rid our schools of PCB toxins. "
Statement of Laura Haight, Senior Environmental Associate, New York Public Interest Research Group:
"We applaud Comptroller Liu's "Green Apple Bond" initiative which will put our city schools on a fast track for removing hazardous PCB-laden lighting fixtures and replacing them with safer, energy-efficient lighting. Kids should be exposed to ABCs in their classrooms, not PCBs."
Statement of Leonie Haimson, Executive Director, Class Size Matters:
"Our students deserve a safe environment in which to learn, where PCB's are not dripping on their heads or polluting the air. The Green Apple Bonds are a creative, sensible solution that will help protect the health of NYC schoolchildren and the environment at the same time."
Statement of New York City Council Member Dan Halloran:
"These dangerous substances must be removed from our schools, as the safety of students and staff outweighs all other priorities. Getting the private sector involved in investing in the safety of our schools is an example of the potential for public-private endeavors in the City."
Statement of New York City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell:
"The Comptroller has developed an innovative financing plan to advance key environmental priorities. The PCB's must be eliminated faster than the current 10 year timetable and other energy saving investments are also deserving of priority."
Statement of Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol:
"The dangers of PCBs are endless and the fact that children, teachers and staff are in close proximity to a chemical banned by the EPA is outrageous. The replacement of PCB containing light fixtures in schools must be dealt with immediately, and the Green Apple Bonds provides a fast-tracked solution," "Not only will these bonds ensure the safety of our children during the most formative years of their development, the removal of these harmful light fixtures and the installation of other energy efficient improvements will be beneficial for decades to come."
Statement of Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs, Princeton University:
"Given the Mayor's stated interest in addressing climate change, he should embrace this plan enthusiastically. It's a win-win-win idea: Cut greenhouse gases, eliminate a toxic threat, and save money over the long term."
Statement of New York City Council Member James Vacca
"I have been concerned about the potential for PCBs in schools throughout my district for years. These Green Apple Bonds are exactly what we need to expedite the removal of PCBs from our schools. We have known about the hazards of PCBs for decades, and we still haven't eradicated them from our schools. The time is now. Our children deserve nothing less."
Background:
On November 30, 2012 Comptroller Liu announced a plan to speed up the removal of toxic PCBs from City schools by issuing "Green Apple Bonds." The plan would save taxpayers $339 million, create 3000 jobs and lower New York City's carbon footprint by 1.4 million metric tons – the equivalent of removing 10,000 cars from the streets each year.
Green Apple Bonds' announcement:
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-11-129.shtm
Video of news conference announcing the plan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0XU-LjxCIo