New York City ice cream truck operators are speaking out against a proposed rule that would force them to abandon their fuel-powered generators for more climate-friendly alternatives.
The proposal, brought forth by Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler last week, has been criticized by ice cream truck owners and operators as being unfairly burdensome and potentially devastating to the economy.
Ed Lachterman and his wife Carol, who together operate an ice cream truck in New York City, appeared on “Fox & Friends” Monday morning to voice their concerns.
“You can’t even have solar in a home if you have trees that are too tall,” Lachterman said. “How are you going to drive around the city and have a solar-powered truck in the concrete jungle? It’s just ridiculous. You’re going to have product costs going through the roof trying to convert something is crazy, and if you go battery, I’ll need something twice as long to hold the batteries to run it.”
The couple noted that the proposed policy could potentially lead to higher prices for ice cream treats, as companies will be forced to pay for the expensive solar- and electric-powered machines.
“We’d probably have to raise our prices,” Carol noted.
Lachterman also slammed the proposal as being another attack on small business owners, who are already struggling to stay afloat.
“This guy [Restler] is trying to put a law based on his agenda without thinking of anything, without thinking of the consequences, and that’s not what you’re in office to do,” Lachterman said. “You’re there to help your constituents and to say, ‘Oh, well, we’re going to just start banning things,’ all they’re going to do is put people out of work, make the economy worse, and just really destroy everything that we’re trying to build up.”
Indeed, the proposal comes after the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) drafted new rules this past June that would require pizzerias with coal and wooden-fire ovens installed prior to 2016 to cut carbon emissions by 75%. In addition, New York became the first state to ban natural gas connections in new buildings.
Lachterman warned that if the proposal isn’t changed or withdrawn, it will have a devastating impact on the economy.
“New York is not going to have to worry about businesses because everyone’s going to move out,” Lachterman said. “You can’t operate under these conditions.”
The proposed rule has yet to be voted on by the city council, and opponents of the proposal are fighting to have it changed or withdrawn. However, if it does pass, it will force ice cream truck owners and operators to make costly changes to their businesses or face being driven out altogether.
