Priorities: Legislation Signed By Hochul Bans Hotels Single Use Shampoo Bottles
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package that included eight different bills to protect New York State’s environment. New efforts range from eliminating plastic waste to ensuring the state’s commitment to clean water and an atmosphere free of chemical contaminants.
“Climate change and pollution are two of the most serious issues affecting New Yorkers’ health and quality of life,” Governor Hochul said. “These pieces of legislation will ensure our state remains a national leader, not only in the fight for clean air and water, but in securing a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations as well.”
Chemical Additions to the List of Emerging Contaminants
Legislation (S.1759-A/A.0126-A) amends the public health law to establish New York State’s first emerging contaminants list, as well as expand the list of chemicals to be included. This legislation requires the list be published within 90 days as well as updating of the list every three years. By requiring the inclusion of chemicals listed on the EPA’s third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-3) that have already been detected in water systems in the state, New York will gain a better understanding of the levels of exposure. The creation of New York’s first emerging contaminant list, which would include most UCMR-3 chemicals and some of the most recent emerging contaminants, would provide the public with critical water quality information, protect public health, and inform the Department of Health on what chemicals need drinking water standards. This testing is a crucial means to begin a proactive approach to regulating drinking water contaminants in New York.
Reducing Plastic Waste
Legislation (S.0543/A.5082) reduces plastic pollution by restricting hotels from providing certain small plastic containers for hospitality personal care products. In 2017, the world produced 348 million tons of plastic. Of that, 40 percent was used to produce single-use plastic products. This legislation takes important steps to limit the unnecessary environmental impact of single-use plastics, especially in light of viable alternatives such as dispensers for example, which have also proven to be more cost effective for hotels.
Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act
Legislation (S.4722-A/A.5386-A) establishes the ‘Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act’ to enhance and maintain the health of soil on farms to improve farm productivity, protect natural resources, reduce the effect of farming on climate change and mitigate the impact of climate change on farming. The Soil Health initiative would have the Department of Agriculture and Markets, in cooperation with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, and other partners encourage farmers in urban, suburban and rural communities to adapt soil health practices to optimize soil health. The Climate Resiliency initiative would encourage the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions on farmland or promote the adaptation of farmland to projected climate change impacts. The Department, with input from stakeholders with expertise, would develop voluntary soil health standards for different regions. These efforts will be coordinated with the Agricultural Environmental Management program.
