BILL NUMBER: S6962

SPONSOR: RYAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
educating the public about the health and environmental impacts of
idling vehicles

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill relates to the department of environmental conservation
providing education and increasing awareness of the health and environ-
mental impacts of idling vehicles.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 19-0301 of the
environmental conservation law.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

While New York has taken steps to address diesel pollution, these emis-
sions remain a serious health threat. The American Lung Association's
State 2020 "State of the Air" found that nearly half of New York's 19
million residents live in counties where unhealthy air endangers their
lives and health.

Thirteen of the 26 counties in New York State with air quality monitors
received failing grades. In addition, gasoline-powered vehicles contrib-
ute to the State's poor air quality through emissions of particulates,
nitrogen oxides (N0x), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the latter
two pollutants being precursors for the formation of ground-level ozone.
Exposure to ozone has been consistently linked to respiratory problems,
including asthma exacerbation and other respiratory diseases.

Furthermore, gasoline-powered vehicles emit carbon dioxide, thus
contributing to global warming. Idling trucks contribute to greenhouse
gas emissions while at the same time New York City is attempting to
reduce the release of heat-trapping gases. From 1990 to 2017, carbon
dioxide emissions from automobiles and trucks in the New York City area
increased 27 percent, making the region the largest contributor of driv-
ing-related carbon dioxide emissions in the country, according to The
New York Times.

This bill requires the state DEC to educate the public about the health
and environmental impacts of idling vehicles, such as air pollution from
vehicle emissions, environmental impacts of carbon dioxide emissions and
health risks associated with exposure to vehicle emissions. Such educa-
tion shall, at a minimum, include developing and distributing educa-
tional materials and posting such information on the department's
website.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.