What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of pentachlorophenol on utility poles in large counties that rely on sole source aquifers for drinking water.
Why it matters
Protects Drinking Water Sources. By banning pentachlorophenol (PCP), a toxic wood preservative, on utility poles in large counties dependent on sole source aquifers, the bill aims to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination that could threaten public health.
Focuses on High-Population, High-Risk Areas. The restriction is limited to counties with over one million residents that get most of their drinking water from a single aquifer, targeting regions where a contamination event could have far-reaching consequences.
Impacts Utility Operations. Electric, telephone, and cable companies must change their pole treatment practices in affected counties, potentially leading to shifts in procurement, maintenance costs, or adoption of safer alternatives.
Addresses Chemical Pollution. The bill responds to concerns about persistent organic pollutants—such as PCP—that can accumulate in the environment, underscoring New York’s commitment to reducing hazardous chemical exposure in vulnerable communities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Toxic Pole Chemical
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
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.
Ban Toxic Utility Pole Chemical
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3488 A. 5048
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 7, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE, OTIS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of pentachlorophenol with regard to new or existing transmission utility poles or facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Article 37 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new title 9 to read as follows:
TITLE IX
PENTACHLOROPHENOL Section 37-0901. Definition.
37-0903. Prohibition.
37-0905. Applicability. § 37-0901. Definition.
As used in this title:
"Pentachlorophenol", CAS registry number 87-86-5 otherwise known as PCP, means a manufactured organic chemical that is used primarily as an industrial wood preservative. § 37-0903. Prohibition.
No electric corporation, as defined by subdivision thirteen of section two of the public service law; authority, as defined in subdivision three of section one thousand twenty-b of the public authorities law; telephone corporation, utility company, or cable television company, as defined by subdivisions seventeen and twenty-three of section two and subdivision one of section two hundred twelve of the public service law, respectively; shall apply pentachlorophenol (PCP) to the operation, use,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03185-01-9
S. 3488 2 A. 5048
or maintenance of any new or existing transmission utility poles or facilities owned or used, in whole or in part, by such electric company, authority, telephone corporation, utility company or cable television company after the effective date of this title. § 37-0905. Applicability.
The provisions of this title shall only apply within counties with a population of one million or more which draw their primary source of drinking water for a majority of county residents from a designated sole source aquifer.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.