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Federal Lawmakers Launch New Push to Force Cabs to Go Green

By DNAinfo Staff on March 28, 2011 3:05pm

Officials estimate that upgrading the entire fleet would cut greenhouse emissions by more than 296,000 tons — the equivalent of taking 35,000 cars off the road.
Officials estimate that upgrading the entire fleet would cut greenhouse emissions by more than 296,000 tons — the equivalent of taking 35,000 cars off the road.
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

CITY HALL — Federal lawmakers launched a new push Monday to force cabs to go green after a recent roadblock halted efforts on a city level.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Jerrold Nadler joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg to announce that they will re-introduce legislation later this week that would allow cities to set their own taxi emissions and fuel efficiency standards.

"The most ubiquitous taxi, the Crown Victoria, is not a clean machine," Rep. Nadler told reporters at a press conference at City Hall. "New York City now has an opportunity to be a model of sustainability for other cities across the globe."

The Green Taxis Act comes a month after the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from city officials who had tried to force cab companies to buy more fuel-efficient cars.

Senator Kirsten Gillbrand (center) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler plan to introduce new legislation this week to allow cities to set their own fuel standards for cabs.
Senator Kirsten Gillbrand (center) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler plan to introduce new legislation this week to allow cities to set their own fuel standards for cabs.
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DNAinfo/Jill Colvin

Judges have also struck down city attempts to provide financial incentives for driving more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Gillibrand described the court's ruling as "deeply disappointing."

"Now the city's legal options have been fully exhausted and it's up to Congress to act," she said. "There is no doubt that this bill will improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

The legislation has failed to pass during previous attempts, but both Gillibrand and Nadler said they were confident this time around.

About one-third of the city's more than 13,000 cabs are currently considered green.

Officials estimate that upgrading the entire fleet would cut greenhouse emissions by more than 296,000 tons — the equivalent of taking 35,000 cars off the road.

"It represents the latest and hopefully definitive step in our campaign to green New York City's 13,000 yellow cabs," Bloomberg said.

Lawmakers want to give city the power to set tough fuel standards for cabs.
Lawmakers want to give city the power to set tough fuel standards for cabs.
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Shayna Jacobs/DNAinfo