Senate Bill S7462

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7462A

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
providing that one hundred percent of in-state sales of new lawn care
devices shall be zero-emissions by two thousand twenty-seven

 
PURPOSE:

Provides that one hundred percent of in-state sales of new lawn care
devices shall be zero-emissions by two thousand twenty-seven

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 states that the energy law will be amended by adding section
5-108b which introduces zero-emission lawn care devices by two thousand
twenty-seven. "Lawn care device" is defined as any device powered
mechanically, which is intended to be used or is actually used for the
mowing of grass, the cutting or chopping of trees, tree roots, or tree
branches, or the clearing of leaves or other vegetation from lawns,
              

sidewalks, public streets or public highways and shall include, but not
be limited to, such devices as lawnmowers and lawn mower attachments,
lawn edgers, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, mulchers, and chippers. This
act will require that all lawn care devices that are offered for sale or
sold in the state will be zero-emissions by 2027 which will be done with
safety, technological feasibility, and cost-effectiveness in mind. With
help of the departments of economic development, environmental conserva-
tion, the public service commission, and other state and local agencies
a plan will be put in place to ensure that a strategy is developed by
January thirty-first, two thousand twenty-three and that an update is
issued every three years thereafter. Finally, the public service commis-
sion and other state agencies will work to ensure that these zero-emis-
sion lawn care devices are affordable so individuals in low-income and
disadvantaged communities have the access to such devices.

Section 2 states that this act shall take effect immediately upon
passage.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In 2019, New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community
Protection Act which establishes nation-leading benchmarks for emissions
reductions. Without swift, innovative action we risk missing the targets
outlined, and furthering the severity of climate change being experi-
enced. Landscaping contributes to 5-105k of all toxic air pollution. In
fact, these emissions have been designated as "probable carcinogens" by
the EPA.

Recently, the Audubon Society's magazine featured an article stating
that "gas-powered lawn care of all kinds spews pollutants linked to
cancers, heart disease, and asthma, and blower's, blast air up to 280
miles per hour, eroding topsoil and sending pollen, fertilizers, and
herbicides adrift."

Additionally, this equipment can produce more than 100 decibels of low-
frequency, wall-penetrating sound, as much noise as a plane taking off
at levels that can result in tinnitus and hearing loss with long expo-
sure. Meaning that lawn care professionals who are overwhelmingly
represented by minority populations are heavily burdened by the effects
of loud equipment, and are inhaling a number of harmful toxic pollutants
handling such devices.

According to the EPA Report "National Emissions from Lawn and Garden
Equipment", this legislation would help combat global emissions and
decrease our footprint. The elimination of gas-powered lawn care devices
will enhance the health of a community by terminating harmful exposure
to toxic emissions and noise pollution. The enactment of this legis-
lation will not only enhance the lives of the workers but will also move
us towards New York's National Leading Climate Target of 85W reduction
in GHG Emissions by 2050.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.