Environment

passed · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 7677: Permits the town of Warwick to use preservation funds for water quality improvement

This bill allows the town of Warwick to use up to 10% of its existing community preservation fund for water quality improvement projects, such as cleaning rivers or protecting drinking water sources. Previously, these funds could only be used for preserving community character (e.g., land conservation). The change explicitly adds water quality projects to the fund's permitted uses while maintaining the 10% spending limit. It does not create new funding but reallocates existing resources for environmental protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly permits use of preservation funds for water quality projects (river cleaning, drinking water protection), directly advancing environmental protection by reallocating existing resources toward conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1377: Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation

Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by fostering stewardship and conservation of the environment, and an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to foster environmental stewardship, conservation, and appreciation of natural resources, directly advancing environmental education and protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 5543: Provides that the department of environmental conservation place a community air monitoring system and similar systems as necessary within a one-mile radius of New York city airports

Provides that the department of environmental conservation place a community air monitoring system and similar systems as deemed necessary by the department within a one-mile radius of New York city airports; provides for publication of air quality data.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates air quality monitoring near airports to track pollution sources, directly supporting environmental protection through data collection for potential regulatory action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1258: Requires state office buildings to be in compliance with certain greenhouse gas emissions limits three years before such limits apply statewide

Requires state office buildings to be in compliance with the greenhouse gas emissions limits established by the New York state climate leadership and community protection act three years before such limits apply statewide.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires state buildings to meet emissions limits 3 years early under CLCPA, advancing climate goals and reducing emissions in energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires state buildings to meet emissions limits 3 years early under NY's climate act, advancing emissions reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 24, 2026

A 276: Increases the statewide energy storage capacity

This bill updates New York's climate law to set a new target of six gigawatts of statewide energy storage capacity by 2030. It requires the state's electricity providers (load-serving entities) to procure this storage capacity through programs established by the Public Service Commission by July 2024. The change modifies existing requirements in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), specifically raising the energy storage goal from a previously stated "three" gigawatts to six gigawatts. This policy directly affects utility companies and renewable energy developers responsible for meeting the state's clean energy targets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases energy storage target from 3 to 6 GW by 2030, advancing renewable energy infrastructure under CLCPA.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill raises NY's energy storage target from 3 to 6 GW by 2030 under CLCPA, advancing clean energy integration and climate goals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Renewable Energy

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in committee · New York · Senate May 22, 2025

S 3163: Enacts the monarch preservation plan

Enacts the monarch preservation plan requiring the department of environmental conservation to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires conservation actions for monarch butterflies and their habitats, directly advancing environmental protection through species conservation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8000: Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program

Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program; requires the office of general services to continue to issue operational directives and guidance for common construction materials to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in such materials.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates reducing embodied carbon in construction materials, advancing decarbonization goals aligned with clean energy infrastructure policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials, directly advancing climate change mitigation and pollution control through decarbonization requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 976: Requires the department of environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations relating to gas flow meters at natural gas well sites

This bill requires New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create rules for gas flow meters at natural gas well sites. It directly affects natural gas well operators and gas companies, mandating they install electronic flow meters with test ports and shutoff valves, and follow specific installation standards (based on American Gas Association guidelines). Operators must conduct monthly testing during initial production (first three years) and routine testing thereafter, using approved third-party contractors, with results reported to state agencies and royalty owners. The rules aim to ensure accurate measurement of gas production for regulatory and royalty purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates electronic flow meters with shutoff valves and testing to prevent gas leaks, reducing methane emissions and aligning with pollution control standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8458: Requires climate change education in public schools

Requires climate change instruction within the current established science curriculum; requires such instruction be taught in grades one through twelve.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change education in K-12 science curricula, expanding required content to address current scientific understanding and educational standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education in K-12 science curriculum, promoting environmental awareness and education on climate science.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1252: Requires forest management plans for certain lands and forbids clearcutting without, and increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting

Requires forest management plans, subject to the approval of the department of environmental conservation, for certain lands subject to a conservation easement purchased by the state; forbids clearcutting on such lands without such forest management plan; increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires forest management plans, bans clearcutting without approval, and expands agency oversight to protect forests and conservation areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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