BILL NUMBER: S5166
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law and the administrative code
of the city of New York, in relation to the fifth generation (5G) tele-
communications towers in cities with a population of one million or more
and electric vehicle charging stations
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to authorize the deployment of electric
vehicle charging stations adjacent to 5G towers in New York City for
on-street parking.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 sets forth definitions for fifth generation, electric vehicle,
and electric vehicle charging station.
Section 2 promulgates that electric vehicle charging stations would be
emplaced next to 5G towers, utilizing their power supply, and provides
for adequate signage to designate on street parking spaces for EV charg-
ing.
Section 3 provides for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The LinkNYC program, which aims to "bridge the digital divide" by
expanding high-speed internet service across the five boroughs, includ-
ing to underserved neighborhoods with low rates of broadband access aims
to deploy 2,000 towers in the coming years, focusing on the outer
boroughs and Manhattan north of 96th Street.
In these same neighborhoods, electric vehicle charging stations are few
and far between. One of the many benefits of electric vehicles is reduc-
ing emissions in densely populated areas. In underserved areas, air
pollution from motor vehicles has played a significant role in raising
the risk and rates of pollution related health issues.
According to New York City Department of Health Report 1: Disparities in
Life Expectancy and Death in New York City This issue of Health Dispari-
ties in New York City, which follows along the same lines at the Disad-
vantaged Community status, greenhouse gas emissions have played a
considerable role for higher rates of asthma and other health related
issues in underserved areas.
It is currently difficult to consider purchasing an electric vehicle in
many of the neighborhoods of the outer boroughs, as adequate electric -
vehicle charging infrastructure does not or may not exist fOr a variety
of reasons. This bill would help deploy needed infrastructure in the
many places that currently lack it and help to ensure that the future
includes an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and helping
facilitate broader transportation options for New York residents.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S9252 Comrie/ no same as
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.