Establishes the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program to be administered by NYSERDA, to encourage the purchase and lease of zero-emission industrial trucks, class I to III.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1438
SPONSOR: Hunter TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program
PURPOSE:
This legislation would allow NYSERDA to create a grant program to
encourage the sale and lease of zero-emission industrial trucks.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section I. Zero-emission industrial truck is defined as a Class I, II,
or III industrial truck that produces no Criteria pollutant, toxic air
contaminant, or greenhouse gas emissions when stationary or operating.
This bill provides incentives via financial assistance for corporations
and businesses to purchase or lease zero-emission industrial trucks. The
authority will set the eligibility criteria and award grants as long as
funds are available. The grant amount will be determined based on vehi-
cle type, energy source, and vehicle weight class but shall not be less
than ten percent of the total cost. The grants will be funded through
the annual appropriation or any other funds received by the state for
the purposes of this bill, including but not limited to the clean energy
fund.
Section 2. Effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The fight to lower greenhouse gas emissions is multifaceted; with the
increased popularity of zero-emission and hybrid vehicles, the time to
encourage the switch to zero-emission in all available forms of vehicles
or equipment is necessary. According to the Electric Power Institue
(ERPI), zero-emission industrial trucks, also known as forklifts, are
better for the environment, cheaper to operate, and have reduced mainte-
nance costs. The overall cost comparison is well worth the initial capi-
tal investment. Electric forklifts save over $29,000 per year in compar-
ison to propane and over $37,000 in comparison to diesel. These massive
savings are due to the energy cost reduction being over 80 percent lower
than propane or diesel.
This legislation allows the New York State Energy Research and Develop-
ment Authority to develop a grant program to encourage the purchase or
lease of zero-emission industrial trucks. This will lessen the initial
capital investment so corporations and businesses can receive the bene-
fits of lower energy, operation, and maintenance costs while eliminating
harmful emissions.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022-A10353
2023-24: A794A
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1438
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HUNTER, SEAWRIGHT -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new
2 section 1885 to read as follows:
3 § 1885. Zero-emission industrial trucks grant program. 1. There is
4 hereby established a zero-emission industrial trucks grant program to be
5 administered by the authority, in conjunction with the empire state
6 development corporation.
7 2. For the purposes of this section, "zero-emission industrial truck"
8 shall mean a class I, class II or class III industrial truck that
9 produces no criteria pollutant, toxic air contaminant, or greenhouse gas
10 emissions when stationary or operating.
11 3. The purpose of such program shall be to provide an incentive and
12 financial assistance for businesses and corporations to purchase or
13 lease zero-emission industrial trucks, class I to III, and reduce their
14 carbon footprint.
15 4. (a) The authority shall set criteria for eligibility for grant
16 awards. Those eligible to purchase or lease zero-emission industrial
17 trucks, class I to III, and who apply shall be eligible for grant awards
18 under such program. Grants awarded pursuant to this section shall be
19 used solely for the purpose of purchasing or leasing zero-emission
20 industrial trucks, class I to III.
21 (b) Grant amounts shall be determined by the authority based on vehi-
22 cle type, energy source, and vehicle weight class, but shall not be less
23 than ten percent of the cost of the zero-emission industrial trucks
24 purchased or leased.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01779-01-5
A. 1438 2
1 (c) Such criteria in paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall include
2 requirements that to be eligible for such grants the zero-emission
3 industrial trucks and the components and parts thereof shall be produced
4 or made in whole or substantial part in the United States, its territo-
5 ries, or possessions and that the final assembly of such zero-emission
6 trucks shall occur in the United States, its territories, or
7 possessions.
8 5. The zero-emission industrial trucks grant program shall be funded
9 through the annual appropriation of the legislature or any other funds
10 received by the state for the purposes of this section, including but
11 not limited to funds administered in the clean energy fund. Grants shall
12 only be awarded based upon the availability of funds.
13 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
