Koo Funds Flushing Food Pantries
City Councilmember Peter Koo (D-Downtown Flushing, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill) today announced the passage of a transparency resolution in the City Council that provides $65,880 in new funding for food pantries throughout Flushing.
“Thousands of New Yorkers are in need of emergency food assistance due to the pandemic and this funding will help make sure those who are struggling through tough times will continue to have access to food. Food pantries in Flushing have lines around the block every day, and we need to do everything in our power to ensure the safe operation of these important public service centers,” Koo said.
The funding will go toward the purchase of supplies for operational support for five food pantries in the Flushing area. The food pantries are La Jornada, Tzu Chi Foundation, South Asian Council for Social Services, Flushing Jewish Community Council and CCNS-St. Michael’s Church.
Sanders Condemns Tucker Carlson
Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Edgemere, Bayswater, Arverne and Far Rockaway) today called for Tucker Carlson to be fired after the Fox News Television host made ignorant and insensitive comments justifying the actions of a vigilante who allegedly shot two people during a Jacob Blake-related protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Carlson stated that the person, later identified as 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, was trying to “maintain order” when no one else would.
“There is no excuse for someone taking the law into his own hands,” Sanders said. “Carlson is excusing, rationalizing and justifying murder and his warped views, which include a history of making racist comments, should not be on television. He needs to go. He shouldn’t be broadcasting news to the American people.”
Constantinides’s Environmental Bills Voted on in City Council
City Councilmember Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) introduced three environmental protection bills that were voted on in the New York City Council on Thursday.
Proposed Introduction No. 1946-A would require the Department of Buildings (DOB) to annually distribute information to buildings of all sizes, including those connected to gas lines, regarding making energy efficiency improvements and complying with existing energy regulations.
This local law would take effect in 180 days.
Proposed Introduction No. 1851 would amend the administrative code, the plumbing code and the building code as it pertains to construction projects intended to reduce the flow of storm water and waterborne pollutants into sewers that empty directly into the waters of the state or overflow into such waters due to rain or snow melt events that exceed the capacity of the wastewater treatment plants.
As it applies to the municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4 projects, this local law will ensure that the rules for such projects are not less stringent than the NYC MS4 permit and the NYSDEC Construction general permit. This legislation would help improve water quality throughout our region and move us towards the goal of “fishable and swimmable” waters. This local law would take effect 180 days after it becomes law.
Proposed Introduction No. 1982-A would require that, for the purposes of greenhouse gas emission limits accounting pursuant to Local Law 97 of 2019, fuel cells that are operational before January 1, 2023 will be credited compared to the electricity grid marginal emissions factor published by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Fuel cells that are operational after January 1, 2023 will be credited compared to an electricity grid marginal emissions factor decided by rule by the Department of Buildings.
This bill would also require that marginal emissions forecasts for Zone J are considered when determining the greenhouse gas coefficients of energy consumption for 2030-2034.
