  COUNCIL MEMBER RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF OF STAFF & DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. is proud to announce the promotion of two dedicated public servants that will now serve as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff to Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. Shanna Knotts will now serve as Chief of Staff Brian Hetey will now serve as Deputy Chief of Staff 
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Thursday, January 19, 2023
News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
Undocumented Man Gets 46 Months in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl
A man originally from Mexico was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday after admitting to possessing hundreds of grams of a controlled substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, also known as Joaquin Navarez-Urena, pled guilty to possession of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation. In addition to his 46-month sentence, he must pay a $200 fine.
“Even the smallest amount of fentanyl can cause harm to an individual, and carting hundreds of grams through Madison County is a major threat to public safety in downstate Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Our community is fortunate to have brave men and women of law enforcement working to secure our roadways, and I applaud the investigators for filing these charges and apprehending the defendant.”
“Trafficking fentanyl is trafficking death and the ISP will pursue traffickers with everything we’ve got,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.
According to court documents, Gomezllanos-Martinez was a passenger in a vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County when the car was pulled over by the Illinois State Police on Oct. 5, 2021. When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin.
The car was driven by Jimmy Carrasco of Arizona, and he is also facing a possession charge of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Previously, Gomezllanos-Martinez was deported from the U.S. in March 2017. After serving his sentence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he will be deported.
The DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case.
Attorney General James Addresses Mental Health Crisis in Western New York in Public Hearing
Dozens of Testimonies Submitted to OAG Describe Challenges in Mental Health Care in Western New York and across the State
New York Attorney General Letitia James held a public hearing on mental health care in Western New York. Dozens of impacted individuals, health care providers, elected officials, and community members provided testimony on their challenges accessing and providing mental health care and services. Testimonies covered a wide range of issues, including but not limited to underfunding for community health groups and health care facilities, gaps in coordinated care, understaffing, and stigma around mental health care. This was Attorney General James’ second public hearing on mental health services in New York, following a hearing in New York City held in June 2022. Attorney General James encourages New Yorkers who have faced issues or barriers accessing or providing mental health care to submit written testimony to her office through January 20th. Through these hearings, Attorney General James aims to gather input directly from urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state to inform legislative solutions and enforcement actions.
“The last several months have been especially devastating for Western New York and many have been left without adequate resources and care to address their mental health needs,” said Attorney General James. “These hearings are critical to our efforts to improve mental health services for New Yorkers, bring down barriers to accessing mental health care, and help communities heal. I thank every individual who shared their personal and often painful experiences as part of this hearing. Testimony and data gathered by my office will help us tackle the mental health crisis gripping our state and ensure that adequate and culturally competent care is available to all those who need it.”
21 individuals provided oral testimony today, and nearly 100 individuals have submitted written testimony to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Written testimony will be accepted online through Friday, January 20, 2023, and all the testimony will be made public.
The livestreamed event can be viewed here.
Attorney General James’ first public hearing was held in June 2022 in New York City, and primarily focused on issues impacting the downstate region. Dozens of impacted family members, health care providers, advocates, and elected officials testified in the New York City public hearing.
“Too many times, things are said about mental illness and what needs to be done to make life better for those who suffer, but nothing is done. Instead of empty words, actions need to be taken to show that New York state truly cares about the thousands of people who suffer everyday with mental illness and the effects it has, not only on them, but on family, friends and society,” said Elisa and Joe Tobia, impacted family members who testified at the hearing. “While having lost our 30-year-old son to schizoaffective disorder, the undertaking of Attorney General James gives us hope for the future. We cannot thank Attorney General James enough for taking the time to listen and be willing to take action to finally help those who need it so desperately.”
“Quality mental health services are an essential component in the overall health of the community but access to these services is not always a given,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank Attorney General James for holding this hearing to gain input from the individuals and agencies who deal with mental health issues every day, gaining valuable perspective that can aid in improving access statewide.”
“Mental health is just as important as physical health. As our communities face an increased need for mental health services, nurses and healthcare professionals have seen hospital systems throughout the state shutter inpatient mental health and detox services,” said Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, President, New York State Nurses Association. “Now is not the time to cut back on mental health services. We thank Attorney General James for holding this forum to discuss the challenges to access to care and look forward to real solutions to ensure our communities can heal both mentally and physically.”
“Too many New Yorkers are struggling to get access to the continuum of crisis, inpatient, community supports and housing they need and deserve,” said Harvey Rosenthal, CEO, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. “Every day, we see firsthand how harmful it is when these services are underfunded and understaffed or not available at all. Great thanks to Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss challenges and identify real solutions to help our neighbors in need.”
“Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James for convening this important public hearing. Changing a system will require a coordinated effort, must include consumers and peers in the solution, and will only succeed if mental health is addressed at every level,” said Melinda DuBois, Executive Director, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York. “Based on the trauma the Western New York community has experienced, we deserve better. MHA is grateful to be part of the solution.”
“Too many Western New Yorkers are struggling to obtain vital mental health services when in crisis. The DCSs have seen firsthand how harmful it is to an individual’s recovery when facilities are underfunded, understaffed, and lack the capacity to appropriately offer treatment during critical times of need,” said Laura J. Kelemen, LCSW-R (DCS, Niagara County), Chair, New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors. “I want to sincerely thank Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss these challenges and provide the state with real solutions that help our most vulnerable improve and thrive.”
“Too many New Yorkers, and a disproportionate number of people of color, only access any kind of behavioral health care as a result of a serious crisis. And even then, our first contact with the system remains limited to police, emergency rooms, and hospital beds, said Chacku Mathai, Member, New York State Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council. “We must move away from the failed investments and policies of the past and create a systemic shift to community-based hospital diversion services such as peer run and voluntary outreach and engagement and housing first initiatives. I want to thank Attorney General James for bringing us together to discuss challenges and come up with real solutions so that we can help those in need.”
Attorney General James was joined by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy, Assistant Attorney General Michael Reisman, and Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant to the First Deputy Attorney General Gina Bull for the duration of the hearing.
Governor Hochul Announces $672 Million Electric and Gas Utility Bill Relief for New Yorkers
One-Time Bill Credit Available to Help More Than 534,000 New Yorkers Pay Utility Bills
Largest Utility Customer Financial Assistance Program in State History
Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses in New York State will receive assistance totaling $672 million to pay off unaffordable past due utility bills. Today's announcement is the largest utility customer financial assistance program in state history and follows a series of policies announced last week to address energy affordability and emissions reductions as part of Governor Hochul's State of the State address.
"Every New Yorker deserves affordable energy, yet too many New Yorkers are at risk of having their lights turned off due to financial problems caused by the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Earlier this month, I laid out extensive proposals to make energy more affordable in my State of the State address, and with this historic electric and gas utility relief we're achieving another major milestone to help New Yorkers stay warm during the cold winter months."
The debt-forgiveness program approved today by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) will provide financial relief to customers and will help avoid huge statewide termination of service, making utility bills more affordable for all households and small businesses. These one-time credits provide relief to all residential non-low-income customers and small-commercial customers for the period through May 1, 2022, similar to a program approved last summer for low-income customers.
Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced ambitious and comprehensive policies to address energy affordability and reduce climate-altering emissions from every sector of the economy as part of the 2023 State of the State. Governor Hochul directed the Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to advance an economywide Cap-and-Invest Program that establishes a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions, invests in programs that drive emissions reductions, and maintains competitiveness of New York industries. Critically, this Cap-and-Invest Program will drive significant benefits to New Yorkers in the form of a Climate Action Rebate.
Governor Hochul also announced $200 million in relief for high electric bills by providing a discount to more than 800,000 New Yorkers making under $75,000 who have not been eligible for the State's current utility discount program, a new initiative that is separate from today's $672 million announcement. In addition, Governor Hochul announced the creation of the Energy Affordability Guarantee, the first-in-the nation pilot program that ensures low-income New Yorkers participating in the EmPower Plus program never pay more than 6 percent of their incomes on electricity and incentivizes them to fully electrify their homes.
In today's groundbreaking decision, the PSC approved recommendations made by the Energy Affordability Policy Working Group, a group of stakeholders that included the most prominent consumer advocacy groups in the state. The working group proposed a statewide program to resolve all arrears through May 1, 2022, of approximately 75 percent of residential non-low-income and small business customers, and partially resolve arrears for approximately 25 percent of remaining customers via a one-time credit. The financial cost to New Yorkers of adopting the arrears relief program is less than the estimated $1 billion to $1.3 billion cost of inaction, and it will also potentially avoid a significant amount of downgrading of customers' credit. The automatic credit is limited by an 'up to' monetary cap for each utility. This second phase would also allow residential non-low-income customers who previously had their service terminated in 2022 for non-payment to participate, so that their eligible arrears might be resolved.
This is the second round of major funding to be provided to consumers to offset utility bill arrears that accumulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic since Governor Hochul announced $567 million in June 2022 to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. This included debt relief available to low-income customers from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Emergency Rental Assistance Program to reduce unpaid utility bills is coupled with $250 million from a New York State budget appropriation to eliminate pandemic-related unpaid utility bills for low-income households.
In the June round of bill relief, utility shareholders provided more than $36 million in contributions to benefit customers. In today's round of bill relief, utility shareholders provided an $101 million to benefit customers — an amount that far exceeds any utility contributions for pandemic relief across the United States.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship to customers and resulted in the shuttering of businesses and widespread loss of jobs statewide. Unpaid consumer and small business utility debts have risen considerably since March 2020 and are beyond the ability of most impacted New Yorkers to pay.
In addition to Commission staff and the major utilities — Con Edison, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas, Orange & Rockland, and Rochester Gas & Electric —stakeholders in the working group include the City of New York, the Alliance for a Green Economy, the Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc., Citizens for Local Power, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, the Utility Intervention Unit of the Department of State, AARP New York, the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition, and the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS SIX NEW MEMBERS TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY, FOUR NEW MEMBERS ELECTED BY PARENTS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed six new members to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) to round out his 13 mayoral appointments. These appointees represent a broad cross-section of New York City and the Adams administration’s commitment to closely collaborating with families, community members, and the business community on the decisions that most impact New York City children and schools. In June 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the state’s mayoral control bill into law, increasing the total number of PEP members from 15 to 23 voting members — including 13 members appointed by the mayor, five members appointed by the borough presidents, and four members elected by Community Education Council (CEC) presidents. The four CEC president elected members have begun their terms, serving from January 15 to June 30, 2023. The PEP replaced the former Board of Education in 2002 and is part of the governance structure responsible for the city’s public schools.
Mayor Adams today named Phoebe-Sade Arnold, Lilly Chan, Khari Edwards, Anita Garcia, Anthony Giordano, and Michelle Joseph as his new appointees to the PEP. Four members were also elected by the CEC presidents to serve as members beginning on January 15, including Naveed Hasan, Jessamyn Lee, Thomas Sheppard, and Ephraim Zakry. These members join sitting PEP members Tazin Azad, Aaron Bogad, Geneal Chacon, Marjorie Dienstag, Gregory Faulkner, Sheree Gibson, Angela Green, Maria Kenley, Alan Ong, Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, Maisha Sapp, Gladys Ward, and Lara Lai. The newly appointed members bring with them a diverse range of experiences spanning school administration, education policy, the private sector, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge as parents.
“Parental and community engagement is an essential component of our shared vision for education in New York City, and that is why we’re excited to begin what we know will be an effective and fruitful partnership with the Panel for Educational Policy members announced today,” said Mayor Adams. “I’ve said it over and over again, if we do not educate, we incarcerate, and so this panel will be vital in helping to ensure our young people have every tool at their disposal to succeed in life.”
“These appointments will bring to the panel a diverse set of experiences from parents, community advocates, and lifelong educators who will provide invaluable perspective as we continue to reimagine our schools,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I look forward to partnering with every new panel member in the work of strengthening our schools and uplifting all of our students.”
The PEP is established pursuant to State Education Law, and it is responsible for approving standards, policies, and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction, as well as the chancellor’s regulations, significant changes in school utilization, budgetary items, and department contracts.
About the New Panel Members:
Phoebe-Sade Arnold
Phoebe-Sade Arnold is currently the director of community affairs at Columbia University. Arnold previously worked at the Abyssinian Baptist Church and as an instructor at the College of New Rochelle. Arnold received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SUNY Old Westbury and her Master of Public Administration from Baruch College.
Lilly Chan
Lilly Chan is the parent of two English Language Learner scholars in New York City public schools. Chan currently serves as a brand manager for Revlon. Previously, Chan served on her district’s Community Education Council. She is a graduate of Baruch College.
Khari Edwards
Khari Edwards is currently the head of corporate relations at Ayr Wellness. Edwards previously worked at Brookdale University Hospital and served in former Governor David Paterson’s office. Edwards attended Midwood High School in Brooklyn and Thomas Edison University. Edwards is the parent of three scholars.
Anita Garcia
Anita Garcia is a retired Principal of PS 329 on Coney Island. Garcia started her career as an English teacher at IS 293 in 1971 and became an assistant principal in 1989. Garcia is a graduate from Long Island University and Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Anthony Giordano
Anthony Giordano currently serves as a managing partner and founder of Legacy Partners USA, a business development and marketing firm with an extensive history in the financial industry. Giordano is a graduate of Brooklyn College.
Michelle Joseph
Michelle Joseph is the parent of a New York City public school student. She previously worked as a per session assistant principal at D79 and as the former senior manager at Innovation Zone. Joseph holds a Master of Education from Touro University and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Cortland.
Naveed Hasan
Naveed Hasan is a parent of a New York City public school students. His family immigrated to New York City in the early 1980s and he attended various public schools in District 21 in Brooklyn. Hasan earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Macroeconomics and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision from Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. He has served on his PA/PTA executive board, school leadership team, community education council, and the digital learning advisory committee.
Jessamyn Lee
Jessamyn Lee is a parent of two New York City public school students. From 2000 to 2008, she served as an English as a new language teacher in Districts 3 and 4, exclusively in Title 1 Dual Language and bilingual school communities. She has also served on her PA/PTA executive board, school leadership, and district leadership teams.
Thomas Sheppard
Thomas Sheppard is a proud father to six children, three of whom attend public schools in the Bronx. He is a product of New York City public schools himself, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a longtime parent leader, and an education advocate.
Ephraim Zakry
Ephraim Zakry is a multiethnic immigrant, son of a single mother, and learned English as a fourth language. He is also a parent of two students attending New York City public schools. He graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens, obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Math and Computer Science from Columbia University, and holds a graduate degree in Quantitative Finance from New York University. Zakry has served as co-chair of both the Citywide Council on High Schools President’s Council and Capital Plan Committee, member of his PA/PTA executive board, school leadership, and district leadership team.
DEC ANNOUNCES 2023 EXAM DATES FOR LICENSED GUIDES PROGRAM
Online Exams to Become Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Whitewater Rafting, Canoeing or Kayaking, and Rock or Ice Climbing Guides
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced exam schedules for individuals seeking to become licensed guides. DEC is offering exams for guiding in camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking, and rock or ice climbing.
“Licensed guides play a crucial role in safely introducing New Yorkers to the many natural treasures around them,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I encourage outdoor enthusiasts who want to pass on their knowledge to others to take the exam and grow their environmental stewardship.”
A guide must be at least 18 years of age. Guides offer services for hire, directing, instructing, or aiding others in a variety of recreational activities. DEC’s Special Licenses Unit administers licensing of outdoor guides. Applicants are not required to be New York State residents to receive a license.
To provide enhanced access to examinations, DEC is offering licensed guide examinations online in 2023. Dates and registration details are below:
- Feb. 3, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by Feb. 1, 2023;
- March 11, 2023 - In-person examinations will be offered at the New York State Outdoor Guides Association winter rendezvous meeting. Registration must be received by March 4, 2023;
- March 31, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by March 29, 2023;
- May 12, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by May 10, 2023;
- June 23, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by June 21, 2023;
- July 7, 2023 – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by July 5, 2023;
- Sept. 15, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by Sept. 13, 2023; and
- Oct. 13, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by Oct. 11, 2023.
To register, directions are available on DEC’s 2023 Licensed Guide Exams Registration website. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging registration and an additional one-time link for use to access the website on the date of the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam(s), applicants will receive information on applying for the appropriate guide license, including an application form. Please do not send applications or fees prior to passing the examination(s).
An outline of exam content, a study guide, and additional information can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program website. The Fieldbook, a reference book published by the Boy Scouts of America, is also recommended and can be found at a local library or bookstore. A list of current New York State Licensed Guides is available online.
For questions or assistance, contact the Special Licenses Unit at NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752; Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925; Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov.
DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations
Data from the end of November shows a rise in serious mental illnesses among New York City’s jail population.
The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here. The dashboard monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month, which dropped to 5,748 people in custody. The detained population at Rikers remains well above the 3,300-person capacity of the borough-based jails intended to replace the notorious complex by 2027.
2022 closed with a record high number of deaths in the City’s jails: 19 people died in the City’s custody. The most recent DOC data available shows slow progress on the key metrics available for the dashboard:
- As of January 3, the jail population modestly declined to 5,748 people, with 131 fewer people detained as of November 30th.
- Judges assigned cash bail to over 1,000 people in November, for the seventh consecutive month in a row. The pretrial jail population also increased to 5,129, up 104 from October.
- The number of incarcerated people with serious mental illnesses rose to 1,108 in November, accounting for 19% of the jail population.
- Violent incidents decreased in December: Assaults on staff declined to 54 incidents, the second lowest for the year. Fight incidents decreased to 388, around 11% fewer incidents than in November. There were 33 slashings and stabbings, lower than most recent months, but part of a longer-term increase in these incidents that began in April 2021.
- In December, the department’s total number of uniformed staff hit a low of 6,777, with over 3,500 fewer correction officers since January 2019. Although the share of staff on sick leave declined to 11% of officers, this number remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The total staff on medically restricted duty remains at 7%.
“The rising number of people detained with serious mental illness in our jails adds to the ever-growing humanitarian crisis on Rikers Island. New York must not default to using our jail system as a mental health treatment facility. We have an obligation to ensure all New Yorkers in our care are given proper health treatment, and that includes New Yorkers awaiting trial,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.
The dashboard, first published in August 2022, is part of an ongoing effort of the Comptroller’s office to address violence in the City’s jail system and increase transparency between government agencies, the public, and the press.
Attorney General James and Multistate Coalition Support EPA Finding on Danger of Plane Fuel
New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a multistate coalition of 12 attorneys general in supporting the proposed finding of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that emissions from leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) in piston-engine planes cause or contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare. If finalized, the long-overdue finding will require EPA to implement lead emission standards and regulations for piston-engine planes under the Clean Air Act, and require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish aircraft fuel standards that are consistent with the aircraft lead emission standards. In the comment letter, the attorneys general urge EPA to swiftly finalize its proposed finding and begin the rulemaking process to protect the public — especially environmental justice communities near airports for piston-engine planes — from exposure to lead air pollution.
“Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers live within two miles of airports that spew tons of dangerous lead into their communities every year,” said Attorney General James. “Recognizing that leaded aviation fuel is a significant threat to public health is a big step towards eliminating this threat through proper regulation and oversight from federal officials. I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general in supporting EPA in this long-overdue action. We need government to address this problem and ensure New Yorkers, and all Americans, are protected from lead poisoning.”
Leaded avgas is the only remaining lead-containing transportation fuel, and its combustion is the single largest contributor of airborne lead emissions in the United States. Prolonged, and even short-term lead exposure can cause memory loss, nausea, fatigue, and increase the risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, and infertility. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children, whose developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its damaging effects. The impacts of lead exposure in children include behavioral issues, slowed body growth, reduced IQ, and a predisposition to depression, anxiety, or high-risk behavior. There is widespread scientific consensus that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
Small piston-engine planes powered by leaded avgas are estimated to release more than 13,000 pounds of lead in New York’s environment and communities each year, and are the greatest source of air emissions of lead in the state. Almost 300,000 New Yorkers live within 1.5 miles of one of the 18 highest lead-emitting airports in New York state. Ten of the airports have at least one elementary school located within 1.5 miles from their runways and nearly 6,000 children attend the 14 elementary schools within these areas. The communities surrounding the 18 highest-emitting airports are also often disproportionately composed of low-income residents and people of color. Over 40 percent of these airports are located in or near areas identified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as potential environmental justice areas.
Much, if not all, of the lead emissions from piston-engine planes could be avoided. In 2014, the FAA launched the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative to speed up the “deployment of the most promising unleaded replacements,” but despite FAA’s certification of various unleaded fuels, including two recent fuel replacements suitable for nearly all piston-engine planes, these unleaded aviation fuels have not successfully penetrated the market. Less than three percent of U.S. airports that service piston-engine planes sell unleaded alternatives.
In the comment letter, the attorneys general support EPA’s proposed finding, urge the agency to swiftly issue a final endangerment determination, and initiate a rulemaking to regulate lead emissions from avgas. In the comment letter, the attorneys general note that leaded avgas is a significant and preventable source of airborne lead pollution and that states have a vested interest in protecting their residents from the public health harms associated with exposure to lead pollution from piston-engine planes that use leaded avgas. The attorneys general also urge EPA to swiftly finalize its proposed finding and address the serious public health and environmental justice harms posed by avgas in a rulemaking for aircraft lead emissions.
Joining Attorney General James in submitting today’s comment letter are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.