Politics
New NYC Mandate Threatens Over 100 Pizzerias with Closure
Clear Facts
- Over 100 pizzerias in New York City are at risk of shutting down due to a new green rule that mandates a 75 percent cut in carbon emissions from shops using coal and wood-fired stoves.
- The new rule, confirmed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, is set to take effect on April 27.
- Business owners have expressed concerns over the high costs of installing air filtration systems, with some having to spend over $600,000 to comply with the new regulations.
A new environmental rule in New York City is causing unrest among pizzeria owners. The rule, which requires shops using coal and wood-fired stoves to cut carbon emissions by 75 percent, could potentially lead to the closure of over 100 pizzerias.
Ted Timbers, a spokesman for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed the new rules in June last year. He stated,
“All New Yorkers deserve to breathe healthy air and wood and coal-fired stoves are among the largest contributors of harmful pollutants in neighborhoods with poor air quality. This common-sense rule, developed with restaurant and environmental justice groups, requires a professional review of whether installing emission controls is feasible.”
As the new law is set to take effect on April 27, several pizzeria owners have expressed their concerns. Paul Giannone, a Brooklyn pizzeria owner, stated,
“This regulation will go a long way to put an end to charming wood-fired pizza restaurants in New York City. A sad day in my opinion.”
He further added,
“I think putting this regulation in place for everyone, regardless if it’s having an impact on neighbors or not, is overkill.”
The financial burden of complying with the new rule is significant. One Jewish bakery reportedly spent over $600,000 to install an air filtration system, while John’s of Bleecker Street spent more than $100,000 on a smoke reduction system. Joey Schirripa, manager at John’s, said,
“We were told we had no choice. We have no business without our oven. We understand the direction the city is going in. We want to be environmentally friendly.”
The new rule will likely require pizzerias with pre-2016 ovens to pay upwards of $20,000 to install air filtration systems. This cost includes continued maintenance expenses.
Under the mandate, restaurants with coal-and-wood-fired ovens must hire an engineer or architect to assess the feasibility of installing emission controls devices to achieve a 75% reduction in particulate emissions. If a reduction of 75% or more cannot be achieved, or if no emissions controls can be installed, the business must identify any emission controls that could provide a reduction of at least 25% or explain why no emission controls can be installed.
Iconic pizzerias that could be subject to the rule include Lombardo’s in Little Italy, Arturo’s in Soho, and John’s of Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Paul Giannoni, owner of Paulie Gee’s, stated that the filtration system can be a “big expense” and a “huge hassle” with few upsides.
The city’s rule also stipulates that if a business cannot meet the 75 percent requirement, they must provide an assessment to see if they can cut emissions by 25 percent. This new green rule, while aimed at improving air quality, is causing significant concern among the city’s beloved pizzerias.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Captain Paul
March 19, 2024 at 6:41 pm
Sounds like Communism when the Government we elect to represent us decides to legislate us out of business! Sounds like the tail is wagging the dog again!
Charles E Schimpf
March 19, 2024 at 6:44 pm
nonsense
Jerry
March 19, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Leave new York, move to location that will give you freedom to make great 🍕
SAMSON
March 20, 2024 at 9:39 am
Come to Tennessee with all your businesses we are dying for good pizzas here in the urban areas. You will be able to afford to run your business without government overreach and everything about it would be 1,000% better. Or any other Southeastern Republican Run state.
Disgusted Patriot
March 19, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Why doesn’t the EPA publish the ACTUAL amount of particulate emissions this new mandate will reduce per year in relation to the ACTUAL air pollution in NYC? Show the world how stupid the rule actually is.
James
March 19, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Another law based on the false assumption that the carbon molecule upon which life itself is based is instead, our mortal enemy. The runaway statists want to replace not only ourselves, but nature and god himself with their hive mentality.
Ed
March 19, 2024 at 10:19 pm
It would be far better (and cleaner) to require all taxis and buses to convert to natural gas.
Stephen
March 19, 2024 at 11:05 pm
Democrats government over reach at its finest.
Ephraim Ponce
March 20, 2024 at 4:00 am
I am also concerned about carbon emissions. However, wood burning and coal burning ovens are a drop in the bucket, and another example of the left-wing consumer hating government. They are also trying to outlaw gas stoves for homes. Overreach, and totally unnecessary intrusion on a quality and traditional cuisine.
MikefromTexas
March 20, 2024 at 10:52 am
Remember ya get what ya voted for.
A. B. Murphy
March 20, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Leave the damn city. Maybe the people of New York will wise up to what kind of government they have.
When will they wise up to the socialist government that they have. Well they did send Ocasio-Cortez to
the House of Representatives, didn’t they?