This bill authorizes the town of Brookhaven to adjust a conservation easement by removing a specific parcel of land (to enable rail access) and adding another parcel to the easement to maintain conservation of natural resources and open space. The town must remove the designated land for rail infrastructure while adding new land to preserve environmental assets, ensuring the total conserved area remains unchanged. This amendment modifies the easement boundaries without altering the conservation purpose or overall land protection. The bill directly affects Brookhaven's land management and rail service planning within the conserved area.
Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law; provides that in addition to the fines, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation and any permit or certificate issued to such person may be revoked or suspended, or a pending renewal application may be denied.
This bill (A 3557) allows cities and towns to create their own local rules governing pesticide distribution, sale, use, and transportation, as long as those rules don't conflict with existing state laws. It directly affects municipal governments by giving them explicit authority to regulate pesticides locally, supplementing (not replacing) state regulations under the Environmental Conservation Law. Key provisions amend state law to confirm municipal authority and add a new section to the General Municipal Law enabling local pesticide regulations that align with state requirements. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill prohibits the sale of used oil (from vehicles) to anyone except oil rerefining facilities. It directly affects auto shops, mechanics, and businesses that collect or handle used oil, banning their sale to the general public or for disposal in landfills. Key provisions include civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for selling used oil and criminal penalties for knowing violations, including fines up to $18,000 or up to one year in jail. The law also bans selling "used oil disposal kits" meant for trash disposal, requiring proper recycling instead.
This bill prohibits the use of grade 4 fuel oil (a specific type of heavy fuel oil classified under ASTM D396-15c) in all buildings and facilities across the state after July 1, 2030. It directly affects commercial, industrial, and residential properties that currently rely on this fuel for heating or energy. The key provision sets a clear deadline for the phaseout, while allowing municipalities to adopt stricter local regulations if desired. The bill does not require immediate replacement but mandates a transition to alternative fuels or systems by the 2030 deadline. This is a substantive environmental regulation focused on reducing emissions from a specific fuel source.
This bill creates a tax credit for New York producers of biomethane, a renewable fuel made from organic waste (like landfill gas or agricultural manure) processed in anaerobic digesters. It provides a credit of 15 cents per gallon for the first 40,000 gallons of biomethane produced annually per facility, increasing to 25 cents per gallon beyond that threshold. The credit is capped at $2.5 million per facility per year for up to four consecutive years, applying to taxable years beginning before 2020. This directly benefits New York-based biomethane producers by reducing their state tax liability for qualifying production.
Establishes the "clean fuel standard of 2026"; provides such standard is intended to reduce greenhouse gas intensity from the on-road transportation sector, with further reductions to be implemented based upon advances in technology.
This bill (A 8656) extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to manage hickory shad (a fish species) until December 31, 2028. It updates the expiration date in existing law from 2025 to 2028, ensuring the DEC can continue its conservation efforts for this species. The change directly affects the DEC's ongoing management of hickory shad populations and their habitat within New York waters. The bill modifies a specific provision in environmental law without altering the species' conservation status or introducing new regulations.
Requires the community gardens task force to conduct an assessment of all community gardens located on publicly owned land in the state to facilitate each garden's designation as a critical environmental area.
Adds hazardous air quality to the state definition of a disaster; requires explicit inclusion of air quality emergency preparedness in local comprehensive emergency management plans with an action plan and annual inventory of air quality emergency resources.
