Senate Bill S4914

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4914

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
including provisions where it is the duty of the department of
environmental conservation to establish a method for individuals and
businesses to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions and best
management and procurement practices for state agencies to reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
The purpose of this bill is to encourage individuals, businesses and
State agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
This bill would amend require the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) to establish and promote on its website a method
for individuals and businesses to calculate their greenhouse gas
emissions and offer recommendations on steps to reduce such emissions.
In addition, the bill would require DEC to develop best management and
procurement practices for State agencies to reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions.

 JUSTIFICATION :
Scientists predict that as a result of increased greenhouse gas
              

emissions, warmer global air temperatures will have a range of
negative impacts on New York including but not limited to:  an
increased number of high Ozone days, which could lead to a
significantly higher number of hospital admissions related to asthma
attacks; rising sea levels that can damage coastal infrastructure;
dwindling levels of wildlife; and damage to our forests and forest
ecosystems. Scientists also estimate that in order to avoid the worst
effects of climate change we need to cut worldwide greenhouse gas
emissions by as much as 80 percent. This bill would provide New
Yorkers with the tools for estimating their greenhouse gas emissions
and would help citizens better understand ways to reduce the emissions
that contribute to this global problem. In addition, State Government
-- the largest energy consumer in New York -- should also be required
to disclose the amount of greenhouse gases that result of from its
operations, describe the steps State agencies are taking to minimize
those emissions, and track their progress toward meeting greenhouse
gas reduction goals.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
05/06/08: A9199 Passed Assembly

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
Minimal.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.