‘You’re taking away the thing that makes pizza taste great’: New York City pizzerias are destroying ‘unfunded mandate’ as new rules to cut carbon emissions by 75% mean they could be forced to use wood and coal-fired furnaces
- Pizzerias could install a ‘scrubbers’ device to filter smoke, but it would cost $20,000
New York City pizzerias have quashed “unfunded” new rules to cut carbon emissions by 75 percent, allowing wood- and coal-fired ovens to be scrapped.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued new rules that could require pizzerias with ovens installed before May 2016 to purchase expensive emissions control equipment.
The owner of a Brooklyn joint explained that he had already installed a “scrubbers” device that filters the smoke, but that it could cost restaurants $20,000.
“Oh yes, it’s a big expense!” Paul Giannone, the owner of Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint, told the New York Post.
‘It’s not just the cost of having it installed, it’s also the maintenance. I have to pay someone to do it, to go there every few weeks and hose it down and you know, do the maintenance.’
New York pizzerias have quashed ‘unfunded’ new rules to cut carbon emissions by 75 percent, allowing wood- and coal-fired ovens to be ditched
A city official claimed fewer than 100 restaurants in the Big Apple would be affected (File image)
DEP spokesperson Ted Timbers defended the rules in a statement: “All New Yorkers deserve to breathe healthy air and wood and coal stoves are among the top contributors of harmful pollutants in neighborhoods with poor air quality.”
Other famous pizza destinations are facing the same problem, with a city official claiming fewer than 100 restaurants would be affected.
Pizzerias that could be affected include Lombardi’s in Little Italy, John’s of Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, and Grimaldi’s near the Brooklyn Bridge.
Even some customers have spoken out, warning city officials not to go near their pizzas.
Saavi Sharma, 32, of Brooklyn Heights, said, “I’m all for responsible environmental practices, but tell Al Gore to take one less private jet or something. Give me a break!’
Under the mandate, eateries with coal and wood-fired ovens must hire an architect or engineer to see if it is feasible to install emissions control equipment to reduce particulate emissions by 75 percent.
If the report determines that a reduction of 75 percent or more is not possible, it must indicate which emission controls can achieve a reduction of at least 25 percent or an explanation of why emission controls cannot be installed.
The DEP has drafted the new rules that could require pizzerias with ovens installed before May 2016 to buy expensive emissions control equipment
The owner of a Brooklyn tent explained that he had already installed a “scrubbers” device to filter the “smog,” but it could cost restaurants $20,000 (File image)
Some customers have even spoken out and warned city officials not to go near their pizzas (File image)
Restaurants have the option to request a waiver or waiver, but must provide evidence to prove a hardship.
The DEP rules comply with Local 38 of 2015, approved by former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
MailOnline has contacted the DEP for comment.