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History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Phases out the use of chlorinated solvents in this state
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor William Colton
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to restricting the use of chlorinated solvents in this state
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide for a gradual phase out of the use, manufacture and sale of most chlorinated solvents, with some exemptions, and to provide such users and producers with technical and financial assistance to meet the schedule and develop alternatives.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill provides for a gradual phase out of the use, manufacture and sale of most chlorinated solvents including methylene chloride, trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Educational and medical uses are exempt from this restriction, and a further exemption process is provided for chlorinated solvent use which serves a compelling need, poses no unreasonable risks to public health or the environment, and where good faith efforts have been unsuccessful in developing alternatives. The commissioner and the Environmental Facilities Corporation would work with users and producers of chlorinated solvents to develop alternatives and new technologies and the Corporation would establish a revolving loan program to assist industries in meeting the phase-out time table.
Funding for the technical assistance and grants would be secured from a $5 per gallon tax that would be levied on Methylene Chloride, perchloroethylene, Trichloroethylene and Methyl Chloroform for the privilege of producing in, importing into, or causing to be imported into the state such chemicals. The commissioner shall establish an advisory task force to evaluate the impact of this law on industries and the work force and to attract new businesses to the state in the field of alternative technologies. The task force shall consist of nine members representing the fields of public health, labor, business and the environment.
Currently, the full social cost of the production and use of chlorinated solvents are externalized. society now bears the burden of costs associated with emissions to the environment including increased disease and damage to the ecosystem. Producers and importers should bear this burden. A surcharge levied on the chlorinated solvents would facilitate the transition to other technologies and act as an incentive to those who remain users of these chemicals. While creating a timetable to sunset the use of certain chlorinated solvents, the bill also attempts to minimize dislocations and disruptions by providing technical assistance and access to financial assistance to ease the transition and conversion.
Fiscal implications for state & local governments
The revolving loan program established in this bill would be financed by a $5 per gallon surcharge on the chlorinated solvents. Florida and Connecticut have enacted similar surcharges to assist in pollution remediation.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.