Relates to the New York state oil, natural gas and solution mining advisory board

1 Co-sponsor

• Antoine M. Thompson

BILL NUMBER:S3657D

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the New York state oil, natural gas and solution mining advisory board

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill seeks to reinvigorate the New York state oil, Gas and Solution Mining Advisory Board.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 23-0311 of the Environmental Conservation Law to expand membership from thirteen members to sixteen members, comprised of two representatives of the oil, natural gas and solution mining industries, two members representing landowners with a current natural gas or oil lease, two municipal officers, as defined in section eight hundred of the general municipal law, of a municipality in which there is current oil or natural gas exploration or drilling being performed, two members of citizens' organizations concerning oil or natural gas exploration or drilling, three members chosen by the Temporary President of the Senate, three members chosen by the Speaker of the Assembly, one member chosen by the Senate minority leader, and one member chosen by the Assembly minority leader. This bill also provides that the board shall discuss and make recommendations on, among other things, the best practices of the industry, protection of water supplies and other related topics. This bill also includes the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets as an ex-officio member of the board.

Justification

Clearly, natural gas exploration and drilling will be on the increase in New York State in the coming years and we must be sure that there is an active and engaged group of industry, land owner and municipal representatives who are discussing and making recommendations to the Department of Environmental conservation on needed regulations and programs.

Given that the current Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Advisory Board has not met in a number of years, this bill seeks to reinvigorate that board to provide assistance, discussion and recommendations to the Department on the development, operation and regulation of the oil and natural gas industry. The membership of the board is expanded to facilitate a greater array of viewpoints. In addition, the number of board members is expanded from thirteen members to sixteen members and the bill provides for appointments from the minority leaders of the Assembly and Senate.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal. Although this bill allows members of the advisory committee to be reimbursed for mileage for attending meetings and does provide that the Department of Environmental Conservation provide secretarial support.

Effective date

Immediately.