Enacts the "go green schools act" to assist school districts in converting to renewable energy sources as a primary source of energy; directs NYSERDA to conduct a study and make recommendations for such purpose.
Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis pending review by the department of agriculture and markets in consultation with the New York invasive species council.
Establishes the "garden protection act", protecting the rights of individuals to cultivate home vegetable gardens, native plant gardens, and/or pollinator gardens.
This bill establishes a new permit requirement for "memorial lands facilities," which are areas primarily used for the respectful disposition of cremated and naturally organically reduced human remains. Operators of these facilities must be not-for-profit corporations and obtain a permit from the cemetery board. To receive a permit, they must file an operation plan that includes evidence of a perpetual conservation easement or that the lands are cemetery lands, and commit to not constructing crematories or columbariums on the site. The bill ensures these facilities conform to local zoning and are subject to regulatory oversight by the cemetery board.
Enacts the whale awareness act directing the department of environmental conservation to establish recommendations and educational materials for reduction of marine mammal interactions.
Enacts the climate resilient New York act; establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan.
This bill aims to expedite the construction and installation of new geothermal energy generation facilities, including dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle plants, across New York state. It establishes an expedited process where the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in consultation with the New York Power Authority, will pre-approve and map suitable sites for these facilities. The public will have an opportunity to comment on proposed sites if they affect local municipalities or agricultural land, and the bill directs NYSERDA to further expedite permitting for projects that utilize local unions for construction or retrofitting existing fossil fuel facilities.
Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law; provides that in addition to the fines, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation and any permit or certificate issued to such person may be revoked or suspended, or a pending renewal application may be denied.
Establishes the previously owned zero-emission vehicles rebate program to provide an incentive of an amount up to $2,000 for individuals who purchase used or previously owned zero-emission vehicles.
Extends DEC's authority to regulate management of crabs; authorizes the department of environmental conservation to take any actions necessary to ensure any quota limiting the taking of horseshoe crabs does not exceed certain thresholds.
