NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2580
SPONSOR: Angelino TITLE OF BILL:
An act creating the cellulosic ethanol task force; and providing for the
repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create a cellulosic ethanol task force to prevent and reduce the
production and emanation of greenhouse gases.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides the Legislative intent which indicates that it is in
the best interest of the State to have experts provide analysis on the
feasibility of growing crops that can be used in cellulosic ethanol
production. Section 2 provides that the task force shall be comprised of
no more than nine members. These members shall be chosen by the Commis-
sioner of the Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, however; one individual
must be chosen by the State Soil and Water Conservation Board and one
member must be chosen by the Commissioner of the Department of Environ-
mental Conservation. These individuals shall not be paid for their
membership on the task force, but the cost associated with the business
of the task force shall be paid by the State. Section 3 provides that
this act shall take effect immediately and shall expire one year after
such date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The State of New York has a goal to receive 25% of its energy from
renewable sources. One of the newest technologies in renewable energy
sources is cellulosic ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol takes various types of
biomass and breaks them down to into their basic component, cellulose.
The cellulose is then processed and converted into ethanol, which is
combustible and can be used for an energy source. There are two major
benefits that can be obtained by using cellulosic ethanol as an energy
source. The first benefit is-that in either process to produce cellulo-
sic ethanol (fermentation or synthesis gas) there are no toxic emissions
from the process. This is a considerable difference from the process by
which crude oil is turned into petroleum products. The second benefit is
that the emissions from the burning of ethanol as a fuel source are
considerably reduced from those of petroleum-based products. As the
search for renewable energy sources continues, it is essential that New
York play a vital role in the production of crops for cellulosic ethanol
production. Having a crop that can be used in production will entice
production companies to locate processing plants in the State. This
task force will develop a feasibility plan for the planting of various
crops that can be used in cellulosic ethanol production.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal costs associated with task force meetings.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act will take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed one year after such date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2580
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 26, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ANGELINO, LEMONDES, McDONOUGH, MILLER, MORINELLO
-- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conserva-
tion
AN ACT creating the cellulosic ethanol task force; and providing for the
repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds and
2 declares it necessary to prevent and reduce the production and emanation
3 of greenhouse gases and in doing so, finds it necessary to create a task
4 force to be known as the "cellulosic ethanol task force" to study and
5 advance the production of cellulosic ethanol in furtherance of such
6 goal.
7 As our nation continues to focus on various forms of renewable energy,
8 one of the future sources is cellulosic ethanol. Cellulosic ethanol is a
9 type of ethanol that is derived from cellulose instead of standard
10 sugars and starches. The benefit of cellulosic ethanol is that it
11 substantially reduces the emission of greenhouse gases even in compar-
12 ison to other types of ethanol. This ethanol type can be harvested from
13 crops grown within our state. It is therefore essential that experts
14 provide our state, and our nation, with information and recommendation
15 of what type of crops can produce such ethanol and where in our state
16 such crops are best grown.
17 § 2. The commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets is
18 hereby directed to develop a task force within such department to study
19 the feasibility of growing crops for cellulosic ethanol production. This
20 task force shall be comprised of no more than nine members. The members
21 shall be selected by the commissioner of agriculture and markets. The
22 task force shall, however, include at least one member selected by the
23 state soil and water conservation board and one member selected by the
24 commissioner of the department of environmental conservation. There
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06597-01-3
A. 2580 2
1 shall be no compensation for the members of the task force. The cost for
2 attending meetings and additional needs shall be covered by the state.
3 A report of the findings of such study, recommendations of the super-
4 intendent of insurance and any proposed legislation necessary to imple-
5 ment such findings shall be filed with the governor, the temporary pres-
6 ident of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of
7 the senate, and the minority leader of the assembly within one year
8 after the effective date of this act.
9 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
10 deemed repealed one year after such date.
