Environment

Bill S 672 updates the environmental conservation law regarding environmental restoration projects, primarily affecting municipalities and entities involved in remediating contaminated sites. It allows for project funding starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 and expands the definition of "contaminant" to include emerging contaminants and PFAS substances. The bill modifies how responsible party settlement payments are applied to project costs and adds new criteria for prioritizing projects, such as those in disadvantaged communities or addressing drinking water contamination. Additionally, it broadens state indemnification for municipalities, successors, lessees, and lenders involved in these remediation efforts.

Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by fostering stewardship and conservation of the environment, and an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature.

Directs the state fire prevention and building code council to update the state fire prevention and building code and the state energy conservation construction code within 18 months of the publication of any updated or revised edition of the international and national codes relating thereto, so as to ensure that the state's codes reflect such revisions and updates.

Requires certain municipal planning boards and zoning boards of appeals to receive at least one hour of environmentally conscious planning training annually.

Creates a small business renewable tax credit; provides the term "business related renewable energy usage" shall refer to renewable power usage used to further the economic activity of the taxpayer at the primary business location that is clearly delimited from any shared renewable energy power usage cost.