BILL NUMBER: S4792
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
declaring a climate emergency and placing a ban on new fossil fuel
infrastructure
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would declare a climate emergency and place a ban on all new
fossil fuel infrastructure projects and contracts.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Declare a climate emergency.
Section 2:
-Legislative intent. New York State faces an existential climate,
ecological, economic, and security emergency, which threatens our muni-
cipalities, state, nation, and the world.
-Definition of fossil fuel infrastructure. Ban on new fossil fuel power
plants, pipeline, storage facilities, and natural gas compressors.
-This section shall not apply to the repair and maintenance of existing
fossil fuel infrastructure.
-The ban does not apply to new gas stations, retail, etc. Does not apply
to uses and facilities necessary for a bona fide imminent threat to
public health, safety, and welfare, including, but not limited to,
police, fire and rescue agencies.
-Article 23 of the environmental conservation law is amended to add a
new title 29, stating no new contracts, permits, licenses, or permission
will be granted to fund projects involving fossil fuels or their infras-
tructure.
Section 3: Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York needs to continue to be a leader in the fight against climate
change. New York must begin to phase out the use of fossil fuels as a
source of power. Preventing new fossil fuel projects will be the most
effective way to end the state's reliance on fossil fuels. New fossil
fuel infrastructure includes new power plants, new pipelines, new mining
and drilling platforms for new sites, etc. It does not include new
retail gas stations. This bill would declare a climate emergency and
place a ban on all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects and
contracts.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22 REFERRED TO SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
2021-22 referred to assembly environmental conservation
2019-20 REFERRED TO SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
2019-20 referred to assembly environmental conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
This bill is anticipated to result in net savings over time when all
internal and external costs are considered.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect immediately.