Earthjustice Statement: 2026 NYS Legislative Session

Earthjustice Statement: 2026 NYS Legislative Session

Bills to rein in energy-hogging data centers, protect drinking water, and boost solar await Governor Hochul's signature

Contacts

Nydia Gutiérrez, [email protected]

New York's 2026 legislative session came to an end on Friday, June 5. After finalizing the significantly delayed state budget (due in part to one of the Governor's top priorities, weakening New York's Climate Law), the Legislature passed several bills to protect New York's environment that now await the Governor's signature.

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earthjustice:

"1 in 4 New Yorkers can't afford their energy bills, millions of New Yorkers have unsafe levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in their water - these are just two examples of crises that will only get worse due to the actions of the federal government. Thankfully, the New York Legislature has passed several bills that ensure the State steps up, but now all eyes turn to the Governor for her signature. Governor Hochul must differentiate herself from the federal government by signing these bills that put the interests of the public over those of corporate polluters."

The following are bills Earthjustice strongly supports that passed both houses of the Legislature:

Responsible Data Center Development Act (S10642/A11560): This legislation puts an appropriate pause on the development of data centers for one year while the Department of Environmental Conservation conducts a thorough environmental review. The bill also would ensure data centers pay their fair share for their energy demand and procure renewable energy.

Drinking Water Standards for PFAS (S3207-B/A8634-B): This legislation lowers the maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for different types of PFAS to 4 parts-per-million (PPT) (PFOS and PFOA) and 10 PPT (PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA). It also requires the Department of Health to report to the Governor and Legislature any additional requirements that may be warranted to address cumulative exposure to PFAS. These more stringent levels will protect New Yorkers from persistent, toxic chemicals that threaten human and environmental health.

Food Date Labeling Act (S7618-B/A7291-B): This legislation simplifies food date labels by limiting language for date labeling to "Best if Used by" to indicate the quality date of the food item and "Use by" to indicate the safety date. It also requires that producers and manufacturers use scientifically valid methods to estimate any food dates. This bill helps address unnecessary food waste, saving consumers money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing food insecurity.

SUNNY Act (S8512-C/A9111-C): This legislation gives more New Yorkers the chance to reduce their energy consumption and save money by allowing balcony solar through plug-in solar devices. It outlines portable solar generation device usage and installation and amends the Public Service Law to alleviate bureaucratic barriers for portable solar interconnection.

PFAS Discharge Act (S4574-B/A5832-B): This legislation amends the environmental conservation law to establish a PFAS discharge disclosure requirement for industrial dischargers, industrial sources of wastewater, and Publicly-Owned Treatment Works. It creates a testing and reporting protocol for the discharge of PFAS. This public information will inform New York's understanding of sources of these chemicals and facilitate future policymaking.

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.