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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
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.
Prohibits the idling of certain railroads in the state
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael G. Miller
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the transportation law, in relation to authorizing the department of transportation to prohibit idling railroads in the city of New York; and to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to railroad emissions regulations
Purpose
To ban the idling of trains after a certain time and regulate emissions standards for rail car operations in New York City.
Summary of provisions
New amendments are made within the Transportation law (Section 14-n) and the Environmental Conservation law (Section 19-0308).
Existing law
None for New York State law. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to establish emission standards for newly manufactured and remanufactured locomotives, as well as to prohibit railroads or anyone else from tampering with emission controls in accordance with section 213(a)(5) of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act does not give the EPA unlimited ability to regulate locomotives, thus the need for State legislation.
Justification
The recent increase in freight rail usage throughout New York City places significant burdens on community residents. The trains designated for waste management have proven especially troublesome. These trains emit smoke, noise, and odor, which drive down nearby property values while raising serious quality of life concerns. Citizens in all five boroughs are understandably concerned. In Queens County, for example, residents regularly report being woken up as early as 3:00 AM to the sounds of rail cars coupling and uncoupling.
New Yorkers need legislation to reduce train idling times and emission levels. By requiring the postage of maximum penalties for idling violations, and the adoption of rules and regulations for acceptable emissions standards from the Commissioner, overall quality of life shall improve for residents and visitors within New York City and the State.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Sixty days after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.