Environmental Bills Signed into Law
During the final week of 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several long-awaited environmental bills into law, forcing polluters to pay for climate destruction, expanding the state’s fracking ban to prohibit a new technique that uses carbon dioxide, and limiting new construction of schools within 500 feet of major highways.
Polluters Pay for Climate Destruction
The "Polluters Pay" or Climate Change Super Fund Act will require the most prolific oil and gas producers that have business ties to New York to pay $3 billion a year for the next 25 years, money that will be used to help bolster the state against the impact of climate destruction. This legislation specifically targets companies that contributed more than 1 billion metric tons of global greenhouse gases between 2000 and 2018, fueling climate change-related weather events.
Closing the ‘Loophole’ in New York’s Fracking Ban
Hochul also added her signature to S.8357/A.8866, which expands New York State’s decade-old ban on fracking to include a new technique that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of water to extract gas from below-ground. Environmental advocates have slammed CO2 fracking as a potential "loophole" to bring the controversial drilling practice to New York.
Building New Schools Away from Highways
Among the other end-of-year bills signed by the governor is the Students Impacted by Gross Highways, or SIGH Act, which prohibits the construction of schools within 500 feet of major roadways. New York has more students in schools that fit this criteria than any other state in the country, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU).
Conclusion
These new laws mark a significant step towards protecting New York’s environment and ensuring a safer and healthier future for its citizens. By forcing polluters to pay for climate destruction, expanding the state’s fracking ban, and limiting the construction of schools near highways, the state is taking concrete action to address the pressing issues of our time.
FAQs
Q: What is the "Polluters Pay" or Climate Change Super Fund Act?
A: The "Polluters Pay" or Climate Change Super Fund Act requires the most prolific oil and gas producers that have business ties to New York to pay $3 billion a year for the next 25 years to help bolster the state against the impact of climate destruction.
Q: What is the purpose of the Students Impacted by Gross Highways, or SIGH Act?
A: The SIGH Act prohibits the construction of schools within 500 feet of major roadways to ensure a safer and healthier environment for students.
Q: What is the state’s fracking ban, and what does the new law expand it to include?
A: The state’s fracking ban, which was signed into law in 2014, prohibits the use of water to extract gas from below-ground. The new law expands the ban to include a new technique that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of water.
