BILL NUMBER: S1346
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law and the state finance
law, in relation to enacting the "New York photovoltaic module steward-
ship and take-back program act"
 
PURPOSE:
Enacts the New York photovoltaic module stewardship and take-back
program act
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides the title, the "New York photovoltaic module steward-
ship and take-back program act"
Section 2 amends article 27 of the environmental conservation law is by
adding a new title 34.
Section 27-3401 Provides the Definitions.
Section 27-3403 establishes the New York photovoltaic module stewardship
and a take-back program. Provides that the department shall develop
guidance for a photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program to
guide manufacturers in preparing and implementing a self directed
program to ensure the convenient, safe, and environmentally sound take-
back and recycling of photovoltaic modules and their components and
materials.
Section 27-3405 provides rules for Manufacturer Stewardship plans. Each
manufacturer must prepare and submit a stewardship plan to the depart-
ment by either January 1, 2026, or within thirty days of its first sale
of a photovoltaic module in or into the state, whichever is later.
Section 27-3407 provides that beginning December 1, 2027 a manufacturer,
or its designated stewardship organization shall provide annual reports
to the department.
Section 27-3409 provides that the department may adopt rules as neces-
sary for the purpose of impIerdeilting, administering, and enforcing
this act.
Section 27-3411 provides that the department me collect administrative
fees from manufacturers.
Section 3 adding a new section 99-qq to the state finance law is
amended: provides that the department, in consultation with the comp-
troller shall implement a photovoltaic module recycling account.
Section 4 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Recycling of PV panels brings several advantages over disposal, includ-
ing reservation of landfill space, reduced emissions to the environ-
ment,and conservation of raw materials. Components of PV panels, such as
scrap metal, glass, and semiconductor material, can be recycled, while
entire PV panels can often be reused to make new panels, which in turn
creates a "double greening" benefit where a green renewable-energy prod-
uct is reused to create another one.
Many of the elements contained in solar panels are ranked highly as
priority hazardous substances by the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATDR). The extent of the damage caused from the
improper disposal of solar panels and PV technologies are not well
understood and may pose new or unknown risks for the future. To comple-
ment its end-of-life cycle this policy requires that NYSERDA establish
an extended producer responsibility program for end-of-life management
of PVs. Solar energy is promoted as green and pollution-free,but this
can only be true if PV products do not pile up in landfills or leave
other damaging footprints on the environment. A kick in date of 2 years
after the effective date also gives producers the proper time to imple-
ment a proper program.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1691
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately