What's happening
This bill bans the use of grade number six fuel oil in any building or facility in New York starting July 1, 2021.
Why it matters
Environmental and public health impact. Grade number six fuel oil is a heavy, highly polluting fuel; banning its use can significantly reduce air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which are linked to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation.
Transition costs and operational changes. Buildings and facilities that currently use grade number six fuel oil will need to transition to cleaner alternatives, which may require costly upgrades to heating systems and could impact operational budgets or energy costs.
Local authority and stricter standards. Municipalities retain the right to enact even stricter regulations than the state ban, meaning some cities or towns could phase out other high-pollution fuels sooner or impose tougher standards to further protect local air quality.
Signal to energy markets and industry. The law sends a clear message that New York is moving away from the dirtiest fossil fuels, which could influence fuel suppliers, heating companies, and investment in cleaner energy infrastructure statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Heavy Fuel Oil
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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 Dirty Fuel Oil
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
563
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of certain grades of fuel oil
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 19-0329 to read as follows: § 19-0329. Certain fuel oil; prohibited.
1. On and after July first, two thousand twenty-one, no fuel oil, grade number six, as classified by American Society for Testing Materials Standard D396-15c, shall be used in any building or facility in the state.
2. Nothing in this section shall prevent a municipality from adopting a law, code, ordinance or regulation which is more stringent than the requirements of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01667-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of certain grades of fuel oil
Purpose or general idea of bill
To phase out the use of grade 6 heating oil fuel in state, county, and local government owned buildings.
Summary of provisions
The Environmental Conservation Law is amended by adding a new section 19-0329 to completely phase out the use of fuel Grade 6 in any state, county or local government owned building, but makes clear that nothing in this act shall preempt a municipality from adopting a more stringent law.
Justification
Harmful pollutants are released into the air when fuel oil grade number number 6 is used to heat buildings. Fuel number 6 contains high concen- trations contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, nickel, and black carbon. PAHs are proven human carcinogens and sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide are known respiratory irritants. Studies show combustion of heating fuel 6 forms soot that is composed of a complex mix of toxic pollutants. Soot is a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete combustion of -these oils; it is conveyed into the atmosphere creating a source of air pollution and contributing to respiratory illness. Because soot is made of fine airborne particles less than 2.5 microns in diam- eter, it is easily inhaled. The toxic soot can penetrate deep into the lungs, cross the blood stream, and get into organs, causing a multitude of health problems for people of all ages. Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to diseases caused by air pollution, including but not limited to asthma, bronchitis, cancer, heart disease, and pneumonia.
In 2011, New York City required their buildings to change over to a cleaner fuel oil and Westchester County has already passed a local law phasing out all use of both fuels by 2020. This bill would prohibit the use of fuel oil grade number 6 in any building or facility owned or operated by New York State, or any county or local government. A build- ing or facility refers to stationary structures. The prohibition would be phased in over a period of two years, which is enough time to accom- plish this important environmental change especially in light of the fact that counties and localities are taking it upon themselves to enact this change in an even more expedited manner.
Prior legislative history
2018: A.11117-C Referred to Ways and Means
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.