NY Senate passes new environmental restrictions in light of Earth Week
The New York State Senate's Democratic majority recently passed legislation related to environmental issues coinciding with Earth Week.
“I am proud of our continued efforts in the NY Senate Majority to deliver on our promise to protect our health, and environment and address the impacts of climate change in our communities," Sen. Lea Webb, D-52, said in a recent statement on the legislation. "This package includes critical legislation that will ensure that consumers do not pay for the damage caused by polluters and important measures to protect our fresh water.”
Majority Leader Stewart Cousins brought the package of bills to the floor.
Environmental legislation passed May 7
Senate bill S3328-A, sponsored by District 34 Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, D-34, directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish ambient air quality standards and monitoring for certain toxic air contaminants.
S2994-B, sponsored by Sen. Pete Harckham, D-40, prohibits the use of a certain type of fuel oil (grade four) in any state building or facility.
Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-47, Senate Bill S1535 requires certain state-owned and operated parking garages and other parking facilities to install and maintain charging stations for electric vehicles.
Senate bill S1538-A, also sponsored by Hoylman-Sigal, prohibits the use of wastewater from hydrofracking, which contains chemicals and radioactive contaminants, from being used on any highway for any purpose including de-icing or dust suppression.
Sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger, D-28, Senate Bill S2129 would require companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of greenhouse gasses — the leading cause of climate change — to bear a share of the costs of infrastructure investments required to adapt to the impacts of climate change in New York State.
Senate bill, S4305, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker, D-21, would require cellular telephone companies and third party providers to present plans to convert cell tower energy usage to renewable energy resources.
Sponsored by Sen. Jose Serrano, D-29, Senate Bill S724 would prohibit the lease of state forests, wildlife management areas and other unique state-managed areas for oil and gas production.
Further environmental moves passed by Senate on May 8
Senate Bill S3024-B, sponsored by Sen. Leroy Comrie, D-14, establishes a new memorial lands program to provide benefits of conservation and respectful disposal of cremated and organically reduced remains.
Comrie also sponsored S4198, which directs the Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state for wildlife crossings.
Sponsored by Sen. Rachel May, D-48, Senate Bill S4636 would add lakes to the list of areas eligible for the Municipal Adoption Program, much like New York’s Adopt-A-Highway program.
May also sponsored bill S8356, which would require the DEC to establish a coordinated system of HABs monitoring, evaluation, prevention and mitigation, putting the state on a path to be able to predict and prevent the occurrence of Harmful Algal Blooms in its water bodies.
Sen. Harckham sponsored three bills passed May 8, including bills that would expand state food donation and scraps recycling programs, Improve municipal water quality, and change conservation enforcement fees to provide funding for scientists and support environmental law enforcement.
S992-B, another bill sponsored by Hoylman-Sigal, prohibits the sale and distribution of anti-fogging sprays and wipes containing PFAS chemicals.
Sponsored by Sen. Krueger, Senate bill S4414-A prohibits the sale or distribution of expanded polystyrene containers that are designed or intended to be used for cold storage.
This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: New York Senate passes climate legislation
