1199SEIU and GNYHA continue to make our case for an exemption from Introduction 1253-2018, which aggressively limits large buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions. Hospitals and caregivers are committed to doing their part to combat climate change, but this bill sets impossible standards that would burden New York City hospitals with tens of millions of dollars in penalties.
On Thursday, 1199SEIU President George Gresham and GNYHA President Kenneth E. Raske sent the attached letter to the City Council and de Blasio administration explaining that hospitals’ unique energy requirements, fragile finances, and indispensable workforce require special consideration. 1199 and GNYHA have met with a third of the City Council so far and are planning many more meetings. On Wednesday, we held a conference call with members of our workgroup of government affairs, engineering, facilities, and sustainability professionals to update them on our efforts to date.
We urge you to tell your Council Members about how the bill would harm your institutions, the people they serve, and the hospital workforce. We developed updated talking points for you to use in your advocacy efforts.