NEW YORK NEWS
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has proposed new regulations that could force pizza establishments using wood- and coal-fired ovens to reduce emissions by up to 75%. This would require costly filtration systems to be installed, potentially impacting older pizzerias like Lombardi’s and Grimaldi’s. If a shop cannot afford the system or accommodate its installation, they would have to seek leniency from the DEP. Critics argue that the filtration systems could alter the taste of the pizza. Many people believe the environmental impact of these rules would be negligible, while the potential harm to New York’s food culture would be significant. Furthermore, some find it ironic that the DEP justifies the rule on public health grounds, considering other policies like congestion-pricing and free drug accessory vending machines.