Provides for a state workforce fuel reduction and conservation program which will develop and assist in implementing strategies to reduce fuel consumption

Summary of provisions

Section one establishes the "State Workforce Fuel Reduction and Conser- vation Act."

Section two directs the Office of General Services (OGS) to review the State's vehicular fleet as well as the use of that fleet, to determine whether alternative fuel vehicles can be used, and whether trip reduction can be used to reduce gasoline consumption; and directs OGS, in conjunction with the Governor's Office of Employee relations and the Office for Technology, to issue a report setting forth a specific plan to reduce the number of solo motor vehicle trips between home and the workplace by state employees and state contractors.

Section three directs State agencies to establish programs to increase the average passenger occupancy per vehicle in commuting trips between home and the workplace.

Section four directs each State agency to perform fuel efficiency audits of their fleets.

Section five directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop programs to educate the driving public on "smart driving," trip reduction, and vehicle maintenance practices.

Section six prohibits any part of this Act from impairing any collective bargaining agreements.

Section seven is the enacting date.

Justification

The United States uses a lot of energy-nearly a million dollars worth of energy each minute, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. With less than five percent of the world's population, we consume almost one quar- ter of the world's energy resources. The average American consumes six times the world average per capita consumption of energy. Every time we fill up our vehicles or open our utility bills, we are reminded of the economic impacts of energy. As the third most populous state in the union, with over 19 million people, New York contains 15% of the coun- try's people, so we could say that New Yorkers use $150,000 worth of energy each and every minute of the day.

The choices we make now about how we use energy - turning machines off when not in use or choosing to buy energy efficient appliances - will have increasing impacts on the quality of our environment and lives. There are many things we can do to use less energy and use it more wise- ly. These things involve energy conservation and energy efficiency. Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability the concept that every generation should meet their energy needs without compromising the energy needs of future generations. Energy sustainabil- ity focuses on long-term energy strategies and policies that ensure adequate energy to meet today's needs, as well as tomorrow's.

Beyond conservation, states have little leverage over the cost of gaso- line because it is a commodity traded on world markets. The bottom line is, we've got to use less. Today's gas price crisis provides us in New York State with an opportunity to get our own energy house in order. New York State government is a major consumer of energy, spending approxi- mately $300 million a year just on energy costs alone. New York's agen- cies and authorities annually consume nearly 50 million gallons of diesel fuel and 55 million gallons of heating oil.

The State's workforce numbers nearly 160,000, and because the average American uses 500 gallons of gasoline every year, driving each vehicle about 12,000 miles, at $3.00 per gallon that equals $1500 a year in fuel costs per worker. We need to address things like limiting all nonessen- tial travel by state employees and State use of SUVs, and addressing soaring fuel prices by implementing programs to reduce fuel consumption by state employees, agencies, and authorities. This legislation aims to do just that.

Implementing the strategy of conservation and efficiency measures, backed by strong education components outlined in this legislation, may be the most effective strategy we have to sharply curtail our dependence of foreign oil, while making historic strides in improving our environ- mental quality and reducing our energy consumption. This bill calls for a comprehensive program to provide the State's workforce, agencies and authorities with leadership roles in moving New York State toward becom- ing the model fuel conservation state. The bill will:

* direct the Office of General Services to review the State's vehicular fleet as well as the use of that fleet, to determine whether alternative fuel vehicles can be used, and whether trip reduction can be used to reduce gasoline consumption

* direct OGS to develop and properly promote a comprehensive carpooling program

* direct all state agencies to perform fuel efficiency audits of their own transportation systems and fleets

* authorize agencies to implement commuter trip reduction programs that will encourage employees who drive alone to work to consider using an

alternative commutemode such as car or van pools, mass transit, biking or walking

* authorize agencies and authorities to permit alternative work sched- ules or telecommuting for all state employees where possible

* direct the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop programs to educate the driving public on conservation techniques, and

* direct OGS to study a plan to reimburse State employees for their mass transit costs

The best way to work our way out of our energy crisis is through a concentrated effort by all of us to conserve, to use energy efficient appliances, cars, buildings and lifestyles, and to lead by example by making New York a model state toward an energy efficient future.

Prior legislative history

2008: A10514 (Kavanagh) - Governmental Oper- ations

Fiscal impact on the state

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.