Assemblymember Patricia Fahy Announces 2020 Environmental Agenda
Assemblywoman Pat Fahy announced an agenda of environmental legislation she’s introduced to set help set a progressive and practical environmental agenda in 2020.
Today, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D — Albany) announced a package of legislation she sponsors aimed at: stimulating local recycling markets, combatting plastic pollution affecting communities throughout the state, and rapidly electrifying New York’s transportation infrastructure and sector which accounts for the state’s largest share of greenhouse gas emissions.
Following China’s 2017 announcement that the country would stop importing over 50% of the United States’ recycled waste material, municipalities across the state have been forced to scrap recycling programs altogether or face increased costs that are often passed down to the consumer in the form of new or increased fees. Working to reduce this cost burden, ensure a stable market for recycled materials, and combat growing plastic pollution, Fahy introduced:
§ A.XXX Fahy — requires single-use plastic water bottles be made with 100% recycled material by 2025 to grow the recycling market.
§ A.8722 Fahy — establishes a “right to refill” by requiring food service establishments permit the use of reusable/refillable beverage containers, such as coffee and water, and food containers, provided by customers.
§ A.8664 Fahy — requires single-use beverage containers be manufactured with 75% recycled material.
§ A.8772 Fahy — enacts the “Environmentally Conscious Purchasing Act” to prohibit state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical and sanitation reasons.
§ A.8878 Fahy — regulates the sale of plastic trash bags and requires plastic trash bags be made of 30% post-consumer materials.
In order to ensure that New York is poised to electrify its transportation infrastructure and inventory on a large scale in the next decade, to reduce emissions and incentivize ownership of electric vehicles (EVs) for personal use, Fahy is advancing the legislation listed below. These build upon her recently enacted legislation to map EV infrastructure statewide (A.4937) and enable the ‘Right-to-Charge’ for condominium owners (A.6338-A).
§ A.6434-A Fahy — provides an exemption for the sale of the first $35,000 for a battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from state sales and compensating use taxes; authorizes local governments to elect such incentives.
§ A.7567 Fahy — directs the Commissioner of Energy to adopt regulations increasing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles purchased by or for the state or any agency or public authority thereof, and requires that by 2030 all such vehicles shall be battery, electric, plug-in hybrid electric or zero emission vehicles.
§ A.XXX Fahy — enacts electric vehicle ready-building codes; to require new construction includes electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle capable parking spaces.
These priorities will help set a progressive and practical agenda to lead New York on a path to reducing transportation emissions, boosting local recycling markets, and combating plastic pollution as the Legislature crafts its FY2021 budget priorities. It’ll also assist New York in meeting our climate goals; building on Fahy’s enacted legislation on ‘vampire appliances’ energy usage, and a Statewide Trails Master Plan to strengthen walkable communities throughout the state.
