Electronic Waste, Heating Oil Reforms Needed To Protect Environment
Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:58:00
Each citizen in New York has an interdependent relationship with the environment. We thrive and grow from the environment’s natural treasures, and simultaneously impact the earth’s health with our actions.
Two major initiatives to protect the environment have passed the New York State Assembly and have considerable support in the State Senate. The bills will help to clean up and protect our environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there were approximately 1.2 billion pounds of electronic equipment sold in the United States in 2004. As new devices are purchased, the replaced equipment frequently ends up in landfills where its chemical components, including mercury, lead and cadmium, can contribute to pollution. This legislation (A.9049) would establish an electronic equipment recycling program to allow consumers to return unwanted electronic devices to manufacturers for reuse or recycling.
Manufacturers of electronic equipment, including computers, televisions, printers, keyboards, portable digital music players, video cassette recorders, digital video players, electronic game consoles and any cables, cords or wiring are covered under the act. The disposal of devices would be free for consumers. Manufacturers would be required to collect a minimum amount of waste based on the state reuse or recycling goal, initially determined on a per capita basis, beginning in July 2010.
In July 2013, each manufacturer would be assigned a share of the statewide reuse or recycling goal based on the collection rate of the preceding three years. Each manufacturer’s share would be determined by their market share of sales. This legislation passed the Assembly by a vote of 130 to 10. The Senate has not yet taken action on this legislation.
New York State consumers and businesses represent nearly 20 percent of the national heating oil market. When No. 2 home heating oil is burned, sulfur dioxide, a known greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere. Estimates have shown that reducing the sulfur content of home heating oil is an important and critical step in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Exhaust particles formed by using home heating oil can exacerbate allergies, trigger asthma attacks, decrease lung function, cause heart attacks and shorten life expectancy.
This legislation (A.8642 Sweeney) would prohibit the use of No. 2 heating oil with a sulfur content in excess of 15 parts per million in residential, commercial or industrial heating after July 1, 2011.
The use of the ultra-low sulfur fuels will save consumers and business money by reducing the need for maintenance and service of their heating equipment. The use of this cleaner fuel will also permit the installation of newer higher-efficiency equipment that can further reduce costs. It is estimated that the lower maintenance and service costs would save New Yorkers $40 million dollars annually.
The bill is supported by consumer and environmental groups and was passed in the Assembly by a vote of 146 to 1. The Senate has not yet taken action on this legislation.
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Robert Sweeney, a Democrat who represents parts of Suffolk County, chairs the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.
Two major initiatives to protect the environment have passed the New York State Assembly and have considerable support in the State Senate. The bills will help to clean up and protect our environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there were approximately 1.2 billion pounds of electronic equipment sold in the United States in 2004. As new devices are purchased, the replaced equipment frequently ends up in landfills where its chemical components, including mercury, lead and cadmium, can contribute to pollution. This legislation (A.9049) would establish an electronic equipment recycling program to allow consumers to return unwanted electronic devices to manufacturers for reuse or recycling.
Manufacturers of electronic equipment, including computers, televisions, printers, keyboards, portable digital music players, video cassette recorders, digital video players, electronic game consoles and any cables, cords or wiring are covered under the act. The disposal of devices would be free for consumers. Manufacturers would be required to collect a minimum amount of waste based on the state reuse or recycling goal, initially determined on a per capita basis, beginning in July 2010.
In July 2013, each manufacturer would be assigned a share of the statewide reuse or recycling goal based on the collection rate of the preceding three years. Each manufacturer’s share would be determined by their market share of sales. This legislation passed the Assembly by a vote of 130 to 10. The Senate has not yet taken action on this legislation.
New York State consumers and businesses represent nearly 20 percent of the national heating oil market. When No. 2 home heating oil is burned, sulfur dioxide, a known greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere. Estimates have shown that reducing the sulfur content of home heating oil is an important and critical step in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Exhaust particles formed by using home heating oil can exacerbate allergies, trigger asthma attacks, decrease lung function, cause heart attacks and shorten life expectancy.
This legislation (A.8642 Sweeney) would prohibit the use of No. 2 heating oil with a sulfur content in excess of 15 parts per million in residential, commercial or industrial heating after July 1, 2011.
The use of the ultra-low sulfur fuels will save consumers and business money by reducing the need for maintenance and service of their heating equipment. The use of this cleaner fuel will also permit the installation of newer higher-efficiency equipment that can further reduce costs. It is estimated that the lower maintenance and service costs would save New Yorkers $40 million dollars annually.
The bill is supported by consumer and environmental groups and was passed in the Assembly by a vote of 146 to 1. The Senate has not yet taken action on this legislation.
--
Robert Sweeney, a Democrat who represents parts of Suffolk County, chairs the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.
