Statement from Environmental Defense on Approval of Congestion Pricing Pilot Program

Andy Darrell, director of Living Cities at Environmental Defense, issued this statement today:

“The agreement reached today is the first of its kind in America,” said Andy Darrell, director Living Cities, Environmental Defense. “The New York State Legislature has shown urban American that traffic-choked streets, dirty air and climate change are not inevitable results of economic growth. After today, there can be no return to gridlock and smog.  The plan deserves full support from US DOT and a rapid vote in Albany in order to qualify for the federal funds. A vote for this agreement is a vote for healthy air: our lungs, our hearts, our children say ‘thank you’. ”

Congestion pricing will reduce exposure to harmful traffic pollution, help limit traffic congestion and raise billions of dollars to invest in the transit expansion the city desperately needs..

More than thirty scientific studies show that pollution from traffic congestion increases the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease and poor fetal development for people who live near congested roads. Over two million New Yorkers are at risk. Congestion pricing will allow our children and generations to come to live safer and healthier lives.

Andy Darrell, Director, Living Cities Program, Environmental Defense, is available to discuss how congestion pricing will benefit millions of New Yorkers.

CONTACT: Diane Slaine-Siegel, Environmental Defense, 212-616-1267, 917-853-566, dslaine@environmentaldefense.org