BILL NUMBER: S2936A

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 buildings and facil-
ities in the State.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds a new section 19-0329 to the Environmental Conservation
Law to completely phase out the use of fuel oil grade 6 for the purposes
of providing heat for any building or facility in the state, This
section also makes clear that nothing in this act shall preempt a muni-
cipality from adopting a more stringent law.

              

Section two provides the effective date.

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 of 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 heat-
ing fuel 6 forms soot that is composed of a complex mix of toxic pollu-
tants. Soot is a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incom-
plete 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 diameter, it is easily inhaled. The toxic soot can penetrate
deep into the lungs, cross the blood stream, and get into organs, caus-
ing 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 clean-
er fuel oil and Westchester County has already passed a local law phas-
ing out all use of both fuels by 2020. This bill would prohibit the use
of fuel oil grade number 6 for the purposes of providing heat for any
building or facility in the state. A building or facility refers to
stationary structures.  The prohibition would be phased in over a period
of two years, which is enough time to accomplish this important environ-
mental change, especially in light of the fact that many counties and
localities are taking it upon themselves to enact this change in an even
more expedited manner.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019 and 2020:. A.1958 Referred to Environmental Conservation Same as S.
563, referred to Environmental Conservation

2018: A.12117-C Referred to Ways and Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.