BILL NUMBER: S563

SPONSOR: KAMINSKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in
relation to prohibiting the use of certain grades of fuel oil

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To phase out the use of grade 6 heating oil fuel in state, county, and
local government owned buildings.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

The Environmental Conservation Law is amended by adding a new section
19-0329 to completely phase out the use of fuel Grade 6 in any state,
county or local government owned building, but makes clear that nothing
in this act shall preempt a municipality from adopting a more stringent
law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Harmful pollutants are released into the air when fuel oil grade number
number 6 is used to heat buildings. Fuel number 6 contains high concen-
trations contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
heavy metals, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, nickel, and black carbon.
PAHs are proven human carcinogens and sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide
are known respiratory irritants.  Studies show combustion of heating
fuel 6 forms soot that is composed of a complex mix of toxic pollutants.
Soot is a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete
combustion of -these oils; it is conveyed into the atmosphere creating a
source of air pollution and contributing to respiratory illness. Because
soot is made of fine airborne particles less than 2.5 microns in diam-
eter, it is easily inhaled. The toxic soot can penetrate deep into the
lungs, cross the blood stream, and get into organs, causing a multitude
of health problems for people of all ages. Infants, children, and the
elderly are particularly vulnerable to diseases caused by air pollution,
including but not limited to asthma, bronchitis, cancer, heart disease,
and pneumonia.

In 2011, New York City required their buildings to change over to a
cleaner fuel oil and Westchester County has already passed a local law
phasing out all use of both fuels by 2020. This bill would prohibit the
use of fuel oil grade number 6 in any building or facility owned or
operated by New York State, or any county or local government. A build-
ing or facility refers to stationary structures. The prohibition would
be phased in over a period of two years, which is enough time to accom-
plish this important environmental change especially in light of the
fact that counties and localities are taking it upon themselves to enact
this change in an even more expedited manner.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2018: A.11117-C Referred to Ways and Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.