Requires that any rules or regulations related to hydrofluorocarbon substances conform with, and shall not exceed, any applicable rules and regulations set by the United States environmental protection agency.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3661
SPONSOR: Conrad TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
requiring hydrofluorocarbon substance standards conform with the United
States environmental protection agency rules and regulations
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
In compliance with the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act, the
bill will ensure that Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants are subject to the
same regulatory requirements as prescribed by the United States Environ-
mental Protection Agency. However, this bill will ensure that the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation cannot introduce
additional regulations that exceed those standards as prescribed by the
US EPA.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 19-0301 of the environmental conservation law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 6 that specifies that any rules or regulations
relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances established or implemented by
the department shall conform with, and shall not exceed, any applicable
rules or regulations set forth by. the United States Environmental
Protection Agency relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances. For purposes
of this subdivision, hydrofluorocarbon substances shall mean any
substances used in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, aerosol
propellants and foam end-uses.
JUSTIFICATION:
The current Climate Leadership Community Protection Act calls for an HFC
phasedown that aligns with the approach taken by the United States Envi-
ronmental Protection Act and the Montreal Protocol, which is an interna-
tional treaty aimed at protecting the earth's ozone layer that United
States signed. This bill prevents the imposition of regulations that
exceed these standards. More restrictive regulations place New York's
commercial and residential interests in serious economic jeopardy.
Stricter regulations would compel homeowners to spend an additional
$8,000-$12,000 on new HVAC units and/or products to run air conditioning
and refrigerator units. Grocery stores across the state would need to
completely change their refrigeration and HVAC systems. Larger supermar-
kets would be forced to replace refrigeration racks at an estimated $1
million per rack. We need to continue to allow businesses and homeown-
ers to choose the right refrigeration technology for their needs while
also ensuring the state fulfills its obligations under CLCPA. This bill
will secure that goal.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
No fiscal impact.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
