Dave Portnoy, president and founder of Barstool Sports, has vehemently criticized New York City's proposed environmental regulations targeting coal-fired pizza ovens. He argues that the city's focus should be on addressing rising crime rates rather than implementing regulations that could cripple local businesses.

In a video posted on Twitter, Portnoy expressed his outrage, questioning the priorities of the "pink-haired, crazy liberal" who proposed the regulations. He suggested that this individual, likely with no real-world work experience, is out of touch with the struggles of small business owners.

The proposed regulations would require pizzerias with coal and wood-fired ovens installed before 2016 to reduce carbon emissions by 75%. This would necessitate the installation of expensive filters and regular inspections by engineers, potentially imposing a significant financial burden on these establishments.

Portnoy highlighted the irony of targeting pizzerias, many of which are long-standing institutions and contribute to the city's culinary identity, while more pressing issues like crime, sanitation, and public transportation safety remain unresolved. He argued that the impact of these regulations on the environment would be negligible compared to other sources of pollution.

One pizzeria owner reported spending $20,000 on filters and maintenance to comply with existing regulations. Portnoy emphasized that these coal-fired ovens are integral to the unique flavor and tradition of New York City pizza. He questioned the logic of targeting a small number of businesses, estimated to be less than 100, while overlooking more widespread problems.

Portnoy's criticism reflects the concerns of many business owners who fear that these regulations will harm their livelihoods and diminish the city's culinary heritage. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has been contacted for a response to these concerns.