Lung Association Urges Governor to Sign 'Bioheat' Tax Credit Bill

ALBANY, NY (06/22/2007)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association of New York State called on Governor Eliot Spitzer to immediately sign into law A.7909 (sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney) / S.5451 (sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino). Theis law will extend a tax credit for consumers who use biodiesel as a home heating fuel (bioheat). The use of biodiesel in home heating fuel drastically reduces the pollutants produced and will provide direct health benefits. The law would also provide for credits for the purchase of energy-efficient home heating systems. The Assembly version of this bill, A.7909, unanimously passed the Assembly last night. The Senate version of this bill, S.5451, unanimously passed the Senate on June 7, 2007.

“We applaud the New York State Legislature for acting to renew the bioheat tax credit before it expires at the end of this month. We urge Governor Spitzer to quickly sign this bipartisan bill into law. If we let these tax credits sunset, we will lose a valuable opportunity to make significant gains in the reduction of pollutants that adversely impact public health and contribute to climate change.,” said Deborah Carioto, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of New York State.

The combustion of sulfur-laden home heating oil contributes significantly to the high ambient concentrations of ozone and fine particles found in New York State – particularly in New York City and all of the surrounding counties. Home heating oil is essentially the same as diesel fuel, except there are virtually no limits to the level of sulfur that can be in it. The exhaust particles that form from the use of this fuel are known to exacerbate allergies, trigger asthma attacks, decrease lung function, cause heart attacks and shorten life expectancy.

Since it has such a high level of sulfur, combustion of home heating oil makes it the second largest source of sulfur dioxide emissions in the state – only the power sector emits more. In fact, burning this fuel causes nearly 42,000 tons of Sulfur Dioxide to be emitted each year.

Compounding the problem is the rate at which New York State consumes home heating oil. With 2.6 million households, New York leads the nation in the amount of homes heated by oil. Most disturbingly, over 79% of this consumption occurs in the New York Metropolitan region and thus creates a localized pollution problem.

“New York State has the highest amount of death and disease from diesel exhaust particles in the nation. Incentivizing the use of biodiesel as a home heating fuel will help reduce the health burden on New Yorkers across the state who struggle to breathe,” continued Carioto.

About the American Lung Association of New York State Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association of New York State is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other major causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association of New York State fights lung disease and promotes lung health through advocacy, research and education. With your generous support, the American Lung Association of New York State is “Improving life, one breath at a time." For more information about the American Lung Association of New York state or to support the work we do, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.alanys.org

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