2023-2024 session: change session
Environment & Energy bills
Bills on climate and energy policy, utilities, environmental conservation, state parks, tourism and the arts. They are heard in the Energy, Environmental Conservation and Parks and Tourism committees in each house.
Highest impact
Impact is how much a bill would change if enacted, from 1 (minimal) to 10 (transformational). Passage is our estimate of the chance it becomes law this session. How we score
Make Polluters Pay For Climate
The Climate Change Superfund Act requires major fossil fuel companies to pay for New York's climate adaptation costs through a cost recovery program and dedicated fund.
Impact 9 · Transformational·Companion signed
Impact9/10TransformationalOutcomeCompanion signedStop Pollution in Poor Neighborhoods
This bill strengthens protections for disadvantaged communities by preventing new permits for projects that would worsen pollution burdens in those areas.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawEase Geothermal Drilling Rules
This bill exempts closed-loop geothermal boreholes deeper than 500 feet from certain regulations to reduce costs and encourage building decarbonization in New York.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawMake State Cars Zero-Emission
This bill requires all New York state agency vehicles to transition to zero-emission models by 2040, with phased decarbonization plans.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawRequire EV Chargers in Construction
This bill requires most new buildings with off-street parking in New York to include electric vehicle charging stations and EV-ready parking spaces, with exceptions for affordable housing.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawBan Bee-Killing Pesticide Seeds
The Birds and Bees Protection Act restricts certain pesticide-treated seeds and pesticide use to protect pollinators, with some exceptions for emergencies and agricultural needs.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawMake Polluters Pay for Climate
This bill establishes a "climate change superfund" requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay for New York's climate adaptation costs.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawStop Nuclear Waste in Hudson
This bill prohibits the discharge of radiological substances into the Hudson River during nuclear power plant decommissioning, with civil penalties for violations.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawRegulate Deep Geothermal Boreholes
This bill authorizes New York to regulate and set permit fees for closed-loop geothermal boreholes deeper than 500 feet.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawLet Utilities Issue Recovery Bonds
This bill creates the New York Utility Corporation Securitization Act to allow electric utilities to issue bonds for storm recovery costs, subject to Public Service Commission approval.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into law
Most likely to pass
Bills not yet signed or vetoed, by Passage score.
Ban PFAS in Products
This bill prohibits the sale of consumer and household products containing regulated PFAS chemicals in New York, starting January 1, 2026.
Impact 8 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage0%Cut Packaging Waste, Boost Recycling
This bill enacts the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, requiring producers to reduce packaging waste, increase recyclability, and phase out toxic substances in New York.
Impact 8 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage0%Expand Battery Recycling Rules
This bill expands New York's rechargeable battery recycling law to include e-bike and e-scooter batteries and strengthens retailer and manufacturer responsibilities for safe collection and recycling.
Impact 8 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage0%Plan Offshore Wind Grid
This bill establishes a planned offshore wind transmission system in New York and authorizes Long Beach to allow related infrastructure through designated parkland.
Impact 8 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage0%Upgrade Electric Grid Tech
This bill allows and encourages New York utilities to use advanced grid enhancement technologies for more efficient and cost-effective electric transmission system upgrades.
Impact 8 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact8/10SignificantPassage0%Ban Lead Ammo on State Land
This bill bans the use of lead ammunition for hunting on state-owned lands and areas supplying water to New York City.
Impact 7 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage0%Expand Olympic Complex Trails
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Nordic skiing and biathlon trail development at Mount Van Hoevenberg, offset by acquiring more forest preserve land.
Impact 7 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage0%Limit Utility Fixed Charges
This bill requires utility companies to limit residential fixed charges to certain costs and provide clear information and notice to customers.
Impact 7 · Significant·0% to pass
Impact7/10SignificantPassage0%
Recently signed or vetoed
Make Polluters Pay for Climate
This bill establishes a "climate change superfund" requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay for New York's climate adaptation costs.
Impact 8 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact8/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawMake East Harlem Cultural District
This bill allows the New York Council on the Arts to designate and support cultural districts, specifically including East Harlem ("El Barrio").
Impact 5 · Moderate·Signed into law
Impact5/10ModerateOutcomeSigned into lawBan CO2 in Oil Wells
This bill prohibits issuing well permits for drilling or completion methods that use carbon dioxide in New York.
Impact 7 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact7/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawRequire Fair Wages For Cleanup
This bill requires certain brownfield remediation projects receiving significant public funding to pay prevailing wages and meet diversity goals.
Impact 7 · Significant·Vetoed
Impact7/10SignificantOutcomeVetoedKeep Call Centers Local
This bill requires gas and electric utilities to keep customer service call centers and related tasks within New York, with penalties for violations.
Impact 7 · Significant·Signed into law
Impact7/10SignificantOutcomeSigned into lawPromote Stickball Tourism Funding
This bill allows New York's Department of Economic Development to fund tourist promotion agencies that promote the sport of stickball.
Impact 3 · Low·Signed into law
Impact3/10LowOutcomeSigned into lawRequire Oil Transport Liability Coverage
This bill strengthens financial responsibility requirements for vessels, major facilities, and railroad companies transporting crude oil in New York.
Impact 7 · Significant·Vetoed
Impact7/10SignificantOutcomeVetoedAllow Estimated Utility Bills
This bill limits estimated utility billing to specific circumstances, requires actual meter readings when possible, and mandates improved estimation procedures.
Impact 6 · Moderate·Vetoed
Impact6/10ModerateOutcomeVetoed