What's happening
This bill requires entities proposing new building developments within one mile of a transit facility to submit a comprehensive environmental impact statement.
Why it matters
Expands the scope of environmental review. Developers must now assess not just surface impacts, but also underground effects—including soil toxicity, geo-energy extraction (like fracking), geothermal energy, and carbon sequestration—potentially revealing risks that standard reviews might overlook.
Could slow or complicate development near transit. By requiring comprehensive studies for any new road or structure within a mile of transit, the process may lengthen approval timelines and increase costs, potentially deterring or delaying some projects.
Applies to a broad definition of “transit facility”. The bill covers not only subways and trains, but also bus terminals, ferry terminals, airports, and related infrastructure—meaning many urban and suburban areas could see heightened environmental scrutiny for new development.
May influence urban planning and equity. Stricter environmental requirements near transit hubs—often targeted for dense, affordable housing or commercial projects—could affect the availability and location of future development, with implications for housing policy, transportation access, and environmental justice.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Environmental Impact Near Transit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 40
1 Co-sponsor
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.
Require Environmental Impact Near Transit
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9827
IN ASSEMBLY
February 19, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. KIM -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the transportation law, in relation to requiring the submission of environmental impact statements by entities proposing construction of a new building development within one mile of a transit facility
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 14 of the transportation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 36 to read as follows:
36. (a) To promulgate, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation, rules and regulations requiring any entity proposing construction of a new building development within one mile of any transit facility to submit an environmental impact statement to the department. Such environmental impact statement shall conform with the requirements of article eight of the environmental conservation law and shall contain a thorough investigation of the underground environmental impact, including but not limited to, current and potential contribution to soil toxicity, the effects of the exploitation of geo-energy resources (such as the fracking and transmission of shale gas), geothermal energy generation, and the sequestration of carbon dioxide.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) "Building development" shall mean the proposed construction of a road or structure.
(ii) "Transit facility" shall mean a rapid transit railroad, omnibus line or any other facility or any railroad used for service in the transportation of passengers as common carriers for hire or in the transportation of the United States mail or personal property, and any portion thereof and the rights, leaseholds or other interests therein, together with the devices and appurtenances, facilities and equipment thereof and power plants and other instrumentalities used or useful therefor or in connection therewith. Transit facility shall include airports, bus terminals, ferry terminals and any other structure
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15286-01-0
A. 9827 2
designed to effectuate or coordinate the use and accessibility of mass transportation in the state, including facilities under the authority of the metropolitan transit authority, the New York city transit authority and the port authority of New York and New Jersey.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.