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S2268Senate2019-2020 Session

Set Port Authority Green Rules

Official title

“Establishes environmental standards for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey”

Sponsor Leroy ComrieSD-14+1 co-sponsorAffects Economy
Status
In Senate Committee
Corporations, Authorities And Commissions
Impact
8/10
Significant
Passage
0%

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions

What's happening

This bill requires the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to meet new environmental standards, including reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and implementing waste management plans.

Why it matters

  1. Enforces measurable environmental performance. The bill sets aggressive, absolute targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and water consumption across all Port Authority operations, with specific deadlines (2024, 2029, 2034) and requires these metrics to be measured against a fixed historical baseline rather than adjusted for growth or weather. This means the Port Authority must make real efficiency gains even as it expands.

  2. Integrates sustainability into day-to-day operations and procurement. The legislation embeds environmental criteria into all aspects of Port Authority activities, including construction, renovations, fleet management, and procurement. It mandates the use of recycled materials, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies, and requires justification and public reporting if exceptions are made, thus institutionalizing sustainability.

  3. Requires transparent planning, oversight, and reporting. The bill mandates annual energy and water assessments, a comprehensive efficiency plan, and yearly progress reports to both states’ governors and legislatures. It also requires appointment of a sustainability coordinator and regular public documentation, increasing transparency and accountability.

  4. Promotes long-term waste and resource management. The legislation obligates the Port Authority to develop a solid waste management plan for at least ten years, aligning with state policies and emphasizing waste reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal. This could drive broader adoption of sustainable practices in one of the region’s largest public entities and serve as a model for other agencies.

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Who cares

Headline styles

Set Port Authority Green Rules

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Leroy Comrie

Senator · Senate District 14

Chair, Corporations, Authorities And Commissions

History

  1. Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
  2. Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions

Full text

7 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

STATE OF NEW YORK

2268

2019-2020 Regular Sessions

IN SENATE

January 23, 2019

Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

AN ACT to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to establishing environmental standards for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is amended by adding a new article X-A to read as follows:

ARTICLE X-A

§ 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

1. "Building or facility" means a single building or facility or a group of buildings or structures at a single site that is owned, leased, operated or funded by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that exceeds ten thousand square feet of space. For the purposes of this title, the term "facility" shall include any highway, parkway or public road owned, operated or maintained by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

2. "Cogeneration" means the simultaneous generation of two different forms of useful energy using one single primary energy source, such as the production of electricity using waste energy, such as steam; or the use of steam from electric power generation as a source of heat.

3. "Distributed generation" means electricity that is generated from small energy sources that are located near or in the building or facility where the electricity is used. Distributed energy resource systems are small-scale power generation technologies used to provide an alter-

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD00776-01-9

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native to or enhancement of the traditional electric power system, such as solar panels or small wind turbines.

4. "Fuel cell" means a device that produces electricity directly from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel through a non-combustive electro-chemical process.

5. "Renewable energy" means energy produced from the following sources: solar thermal, photovoltaics, wind, hydroelectric, geo-exchange, tidal/wave energy and high-efficiency biomass.

§ 2. Energy targets. 1. All buildings or facilities or vehicles or vehicle fleets owned or leased, under which the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey pays directly for energy, or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, shall meet the following targets and timetable to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption:

(a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operations from the established baseline measurements by fifteen percent by the year two thousand twenty-four, twenty-five percent by the year two thousand twenty-nine and fifty percent by the year two thousand thirty-four. Emission reductions shall be measured on an absolute basis and not adjusted for facility expansion, load growth or weather;

(b) reduce overall energy consumption at buildings or facilities or vehicles or vehicle fleets owned or leased, under which the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey pays directly for energy, by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from the established baseline measurements by fifteen percent by the year two thousand twenty-four, twenty-five percent by the year two thousand twenty-nine and fifty percent by the year two thousand thirty-four;

(c) reduce potable water use from the established baseline measurement by ten percent by the year two thousand twenty-four, twenty percent by the year two thousand twenty-nine and thirty percent by the year two thousand thirty-four; and

(d) obtain by generation or procurement fifteen percent of annual electricity consumption from renewable sources and/or from distributed generation or cogeneration by the year two thousand twenty-four, twenty-five percent by the year two thousand twenty-nine and fifty percent by the year two thousand thirty-four.

2. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall establish a baseline measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, electricity and water consumption levels for the period beginning January first, two thousand fourteen and ending December thirty-first, two thousand fifteen for such building or facility or vehicle or vehicle fleet. The baseline measurement shall be the average of the two year period.

§ 3. Energy assessments and efficiency plan. 1. Energy assessments. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall conduct an annual onsite assessment and evaluation of energy and water consumption and expenses of any building or facility it owns, leases or operates. The assessment shall include the following information:

(a) the total number of buildings and facilities owned, leased or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the total square footage for such buildings and facilities;

(b) the total annual energy consumption, listed by energy source, for each building or facility;

(c) the total annual energy cost calculated per square foot, and listed by energy source, for each building or facility;

(d) the total annual water consumption for each building or facility;

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(e) the total annual cost for fuel used by authority-owned vehicles, listed by fuel type and the average mileage efficiency of vehicles by vehicle class owned or leased by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and

(f) a breakdown by percentage of the total renewable energy used by each building or facility.

2. Energy efficiency plan. (a) Based on the initial assessment conducted pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall develop an energy efficiency plan to meet the targets, goals and timetable established pursuant to subdivision one of section two of this article. Such plan shall be submitted to the governors and legislatures of both states.

(b) The plan shall describe specific measures to be taken to reduce the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption in accordance with such targets and goals. The plan shall also describe any policies adopted, and projects pursued, by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to increase the use of renewable energy sources and other alternative sources, such as distributive generation and cogeneration.

(c) The plan shall:

(1) provide a detailed and comprehensive plan for achieving the targets and goals set forth in section two of this article; and

(2) be implemented in a cost-effective manner.

(d) The plan shall be amended to reflect any changes or updates reported in the annual assessment pursuant to subdivision one of this section.

(e) With respect to buildings and facilities that contain less than ten thousand square feet in space, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is encouraged to assess, develop and implement efficiency and waste management plans consistent with the targets, goals and timetables required pursuant to this article.

§ 4. Solid waste management plan. 1. For purposes of this section, "solid waste" shall mean all putrescible and non-putrescible materials or substances discarded or rejected as being spent, useless, worthless or in excess to the owners at the time of such discard or rejection, including, but not limited to, garbage, refuse, industrial and commercial waste, sludges from air or water control facilities, rubbish, ashes, contained gaseous material, incinerator residue, demolition and construction debris, discarded automobiles and offal but not including sewage and other highly diluted water carried materials or substances and those in gaseous form. "Solid waste" shall not include source, special nuclear or by-product material as defined in the atomic energy act of 1954, as amended.

2. (a) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall prepare and submit to the commissioner of the New York state department of environmental conservation and the commissioner of the New Jersey state department of environmental protection for review and approval, a solid waste management plan for at least a ten-year period.

(b) The solid waste management plan shall, at a minimum:

(1) identify, describe and characterize the solid waste stream to be managed in the planning period;

(2) assess existing and alternate proposed solid waste management programs and facilities;

(3) identify the parties with responsibility to implement each element of the plan and the steps which must be undertaken by each; and

S. 2268 4

(4) set forth a timetable for implementing the plan, including establishing annual goals.

(c) Such plan shall strive to achieve the objectives of the state solid waste management policy set forth in section 27-0106 of the environmental conservation law, provide for or take into account management of all solid waste within the planning unit, and embody, as may be appropriate to the circumstances, sound principles of solid waste management, natural resources conservation, energy production, and employment creating opportunities.

(d) The plan shall be deemed complete if it contains all the elements set forth in paragraph (b) of this subdivision. Thereafter such plan shall become the solid waste management plan in effect for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. If the plan as submitted does not contain the elements set forth in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, the commissioner of the New York state department of environmental conservation or the commissioner of the New Jersey state department of environmental protection shall state the reasons for its determination and require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to re-submit an amended plan for approval.

§ 5. Sustainability coordinator. 1. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall appoint a sustainability coordinator to organize, coordinate, oversee and report on the energy efficiency and waste management activities of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The coordinator shall, among other duties and responsibilities:

(a) prepare the energy efficiency and solid waste management plans;

(b) organize, coordinate and oversee the implementation of the efficiency activities contained in the efficiency plan;

(c) organize, coordinate and oversee the implementation of the solid waste management plan;

(d) submit the progress reports required pursuant to section eight of this article; and

(e) disseminate all applicable information to authority staff, and tracking and reporting all requested energy consumption or waste management data.

2. The commissioner of the New York state department of environmental conservation and the commissioner of the New Jersey state department of environmental protection shall develop and conduct a training program for the sustainability coordinator and assist him or her with the training of appropriate staff, vendors and contractors.

§ 6. New construction, renovations and leases. 1. (a) The design and construction of any new buildings or facilities, or the substantial renovation of an existing building or facility, by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall comply with the environmental and sustainability standards and regulations promulgated jointly by the commissioner of the New York state department of environmental conservation and the commissioner of the New Jersey state department of environmental protection. This subdivision shall also apply to a building or facility, fifty percent or more of the funding for the purchase, lease, design, construction or substantial renovation thereof is funded directly or indirectly by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term "substantial renovation" shall mean: a capital project in which the scope of work involves at least two of the following primary building systems: electrical, plumbing, boiler, elevator, HVAC, roof replacement, window replacement, lighting or external masonry, painting and plastering; and

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the building area in which the construction is performed will be unoccupied due to the nature of the construction for thirty days or more.

2. Any leases entered into by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, including the renegotiation or extension of existing leases, shall:

(a) incorporate lease provisions that encourage energy and water efficiency wherever life-cycle cost-effective. Build-to-suit lease solicitations shall contain criteria encouraging sustainable design and development, energy efficiency, and verification of facility performance;

(b) include a preference for facilities having the Energy Star building label in their selection criteria for acquiring leased facilities; and

(c) encourage lessors to apply for an Energy Star building label and to explore and implement projects that will reduce costs, including projects carried out through the lessors' energy-savings contracts.

§ 7. Procurement. 1. Procurement from specification list. (a) All purchases of commodity, equipment, services and technologies made by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall be pursuant to procurement lists and specifications promulgated jointly by the New York state office of general services and the New Jersey state division of purchase and property.

(b) In addition, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall procure commodities, equipment, services and technologies that meet or exceed the following minimum specifications:

Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 154 of the laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to establishing envi- ronmental standards for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to meet certain energy conservation targets, prepare and implement energy conservation and waste management plans.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of the bill adds a new article X-A to Chapter 154 of the laws of 1921 to impose energy conservation standards on the Port Author- ity of New York and New Jersey. Among other things, this legislation would:

Read the full memo (640 words)

*establish energy conservation targets and timetables to be met by the Port Authority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, overall energy consumption and water usage.

*require the Port Authority to reduce overall energy consumption at their buildings and facilities;

*set out provisions for an energy assessment and efficiency plan, requiring the Port Authority to conduct an annual onsite assessment and evaluation of energy and water consumption.

*require the Port Authority to prepare and implement an energy conserva- tion plan and a solid waste management plan;

*require the Port Authority to appoint an energy conservation coordina- tor to organize, coordinate, oversee and report on its energy conserva- tion activities;

*.provide that the design and construction of any new buildings or facilities or the substantial renovation of an existing building or facility by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shall comply with the environmental and sustainability standards promulgated by the state department of environmental conservation and the state department of environmental protection.

*require all purchases made by the Port Authority to be from lists and specifications promulgated by the NYS OGS and NJ Division of Purchase and Property; and

*require NYS DEC and NJ DEP to establish a state authorities energy conservation council to approve plans submitted by the Port Authority, and to monitor and report on the actions taken by the Port Authority to meet the.energy conservation targets and timetables,1 1'

Section two of the bill sets forth the severability clause.

Section three provides the effective date.

Justification

There is no disagreement or dispute over the importance and need to conserve energy and reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sourc- es.

To both protect the environment and to reduce costs, it is vital to reduce energy consumption and produce cost savings in the operations of this large bi-state authority.

To achieve theSe goals, this bill will require the Port Authority to:

*benchmark its historic and current usage patterns;

*take an inventory of its energy conservation activities;

*identify and prioritize buildings and facilities of 10,000 square feet or more for energy efficiency upgrades;

*assess its energy and water usage, and develop and implement a plan to meet certain energy conservation targets and timetables;

*develop and implement a plan to manage waste disposal; and *report on the progress of meeting the targets and timetables.

By setting clean energy targets and developing energy conservation prac- tices, the Port Authority can also play an important role in the devel- opment and support of new and local green technologies, fostering inno- vation and benefitting the New York and New Jersey economies.

Prior legislative history

A.9998 of 2018, referred to corporations, authorities and commissions. Same as S.8367 of 2018, committed to finance.

A.3613 of 2017, referred to corporations, authorities and commissions.

A.6765 of 2015 and 2016, referred to ways and means in 2015 and referred to corporations, authorities and commissions in 2016..

A.10597 of 2012, referred to ways and means.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect upon the state of New Jersey passing legis- lation; or immediately if they have already passed such legislation.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.