This bill creates a state task force to study the feasibility of growing crops for cellulosic ethanol production, a renewable fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional ethanol. The task force, to be formed by the Agriculture Commissioner with members from environmental and conservation agencies, must identify optimal crops and locations within the state and submit findings and recommendations within one year. The bill expires two years after enactment, making it a temporary study initiative focused on advancing renewable energy research without implementing new regulations.
This bill prohibits leasing state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas or oil exploration, development, or production. It amends New York's environmental conservation law to explicitly exclude these specific public lands from being leased for fossil fuel activities. The policy change directly affects state land management decisions, preventing future leases for oil and gas operations on these protected areas. The law applies to lands including state forests, wildlife areas, and designated unique natural sites, with no exceptions for gas or oil projects. This represents a concrete policy shift in how certain state lands may be used for energy development.
This resolution (S.261) asks Governor Hochul to officially designate April 2025 as "Native Plant Month" in New York State, aligning with National Native Plant Month. It recognizes the environmental importance of native plants - species naturally adapted to New York's ecosystems - which support local wildlife, improve soil and water health, and sustain biodiversity. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but encourages public awareness and actions like planting native species and removing invasive plants. It directly affects New Yorkers by promoting community engagement with local environmental stewardship.
Establishes a Green New Deal for New York task force; requires such task force to develop a detailed statewide, industrial, economic mobilization plan for the transition of the New York economy to become greenhouse gas emissions neutral by 2030 and to significantly draw down greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and oceans and to promote economic and environmental justice and equality.
This bill creates a "Small Business Environmental Fund" managed by New York State's urban development corporation to help small businesses obtain loans for pollution prevention and environmental compliance. The fund guarantees up to 90% of loans (capped at $500,000) from financial institutions, targeting businesses that struggle to secure traditional financing for pollution control equipment or compliance activities. It prioritizes small businesses in distressed areas, minority-owned, women-owned, or those complying with new federal/state environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The fund uses state appropriations, loan fees, and federal funds to provide this credit support without requiring direct state lending.
Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to authorize the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state and to make municipal adoption and implementation of pollinator promotion plans eligible for climate adaptation and mitigation projects under the climate smart communities program; requires consideration of certain pollinator health initiatives on SUNY campuses; directs the departments of education and environmental conservation to develop guidelines for school districts to implement certain pollinator friendly practices; directs the implementation of certain pollinator friendly practices on highway verges.
Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant; requires the department to ensure certain process operations use appropriate control technology for PFAS emissions; establishes a fence line monitoring program to monitor PFAS emissions in disadvantaged communities, to provide public reports, and related duties.
Establishes the small business energy conservation ombudsman program to represent small businesses on issues relating to state energy policy and the goals of the climate leadership and community protection act.
Expands smart growth public infrastructure criteria to apply to the New York State urban development corporation; adds the additional criteria of promoting public transit ridership and ensuring existing transit riders are able to access employment opportunities and cultural and recreational amenities with ease through the construction of transit facilities protected from extreme weather and traffic violence less than one quarter of a mile walking distance to such opportunities and amenities.
Includes comprehensive climate change risk analysis as part of every environmental assessment statement; requires updates to rules and regulations regarding the state environmental quality review no less than every five years.
