BILL NUMBER: S1456
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the energy law, the environmental conservation law, the
public authorities law, and the general municipal law, in relation to
requiring certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions;
and to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring NYSER-
DA to conduct certain studies and requiring certain monetary incentives
for clean energy vehicles
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require zero-emission standards for watercraft and
commuter trains as well as authorize comprehensive studies into the
development of sustainable water, rail, and air transportation.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends the energy law by adding a new section
5-108-b which directs the commissioner to promulgate regulations requir-
ing that all ferries purchased by the state after 2030 must be zero
emission vessels.
Section two of the bill amends the environmental conservation law to add
a new section 19-0306-b which requires public vessels operating in state
waters to be zero emissions by 2040, authorizing usage of fossil fuel
engines only as a range extender.
Section three of the bill amends the public authorities law to add a new
section 1884 directing NYSERDA to conduct a study analyzing the need for
charging stations along the Hudson River and NY Canal System to accommo-
date zero-emission commercial vessels.
Section four of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 352 of the
general municipal law to require the usage of zero-emission ground
support equipment at all public airports in the state.
Section five of the bill amends the public authorities law to add a new
section 1886 directing NYSERDA to conduct a study assessing the finan-
cial viability of using renewable energy in public airports.
Section six of the bill amends section 1854 of the public authorities
law to add a new subdivision 22 authorizing NYSERDA to administer a
grant program assisting flying schools and non-profit flying clubs in
the installation of charging infrastructure for FAA-certified electric
aircrafts.
Section seven of this bill amends the public authorities law to add a
new section 1887 directing NYSERDA to conduct a study on the creation of
sustainable aviation fuel.
Section eight of the bill amends section 1266 of the public authorities
law requiring the use of zero-emission passenger trains along the
Metro-North and Long Island Railroads in New York, and zero-emission
work trains within the New York City subway system by 2035.
Section nine of the bill sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2019, New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community
Protection Act (CLCPA) - an ambitious commitment to a nation-leading
climate and clean energy agenda. This legislation seeks to support the
state's progress on climate change and job creation by requiring zero-
emission standards in hard-to-decarbonize segments of the transportation
market. This bill establishes actionable pathways to deploy zero-emis-
sion watercraft and commuter trains, as well as to accelerate the use of
zero-emission aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel. With increasing
investments in companies and projects related to sustainable aviation
and zero-emission watercraft, this bill signals that New York State is
optimistic and eager for rapid and deliberate growth in the sustainable
transportation market.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S2966A (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A2264B
(Simon) referred to environmental conservation
2023: S2966A (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A2264B
(Simon) referred to environmental conservation
2022: 56907 (Kavanagh) - REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
2021: S6907 (Kavanagh) - REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1456: 352 general municipal law, 352(1) general municipal law, 1854 public authorities law, 1266 public authorities law