As session ends, Assembly acts on environmental legislation

The Assembly is using its final days this session to pass environmental legislation. A bill ending the 100-foot rule for gas hook-ups in new construction passed the people’s chamber Monday, and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is expected to follow later on Tuesday. 

The 100-foot rule required existing ratepayers to subsidize the cost of new gas hook-ups for utility companies. It was a key provision of the broader NY HEAT Act, a bill opposed by industry groups and some lawmakers who fear that its regulation of the fossil fuel industry would raise costs for businesses and ratepayers. The bill has been kept out of successive state budgets, and its future looks murky following the end of this session. The state Senate passed a stripped-down version of the bill, but even that was too controversial to pass the Assembly, so attention is now focused on just repealing the 100-foot rule.

“This will incentivize hook-ups to electric and heat pumps, which are less expensive, more reliable and better for our environment,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, who co-sponsored the bill. “This isn’t everything we hoped for, but this is a good step toward a healthier and more affordable New York.”

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is expected to come to a vote Tuesday afternoon. The controversial “extended producer responsibility” bill has been the subject of a pricey lobbying battle. If it passes, it would be a signature away from becoming law, and the chemical industry would redouble its efforts in the hopes of scoring a veto from Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

The bill would require large companies that earn more than $5 million to pay fees on packaging waste that would be routed toward reduction initiatives and require a 30% reduction in packaging over 12 years. Environmentalists have hailed the legislation as a crucial step to curb pollution in New York while serving as an example to the rest of the state. The chemical industry has argued that the bill would drive businesses out of the state and also increase the costs of daily goods for New York consumers. 

The Business Council of New York issued a memo in opposition to the bill last month, writing to lawmakers, “we have not heard from any business saying that the modified mandates in this legislation are workable or achievable.” 

The Assembly is expected to run late tonight to wrap up any loose ends and left-over legislation before joining the state Senate and adjourning for the summer.