Today, Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) announced the passage of the Assembly’s annual environmental legislative package in honor of the 52nd Earth Day. After securing historic new funding in the state’s budget to combat climate change and protect New York’s precious ecosystems and natural resources, Assemblymember Thiele and the Assembly Majority are furthering their commitment to securing a better climate future for future generations. Included in the Earth Day package of bills supported by Assemblymember Thiele are: 

• A.8327A Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program, allowing individuals and institutions to receive a rebate for the purchase and upkeep of electric landscaping equipment. Traditional gas-powered lawn care equipment, such as leaf blowers, weed whackers, and lawnmowers have been found to emit an immense amount of greenhouse gases resulting in smog-forming pollution. This rebate will incentivize the replacement of these devices for cleaner, electric alternatives. 
• A.2103D Requires the DEC to consider the inequitable burden on disadvantaged communities when siting facilities with an environmental impact, ensuring minority, disadvantaged, and economically distressed communities do not continue to be disproportionately impacted by adverse environmental siting decisions.
• A.5390 Directs the DEC and other state agencies to set a statewide goal of preserving 30% of New York State Land by 2030, protecting open spaces, green spaces in urban areas, and the unique biodiversity of New York State from the threat of development. By meeting our ‘30 by 30 goals’, our state will be more resilient to the effects of climate change and the threat of mass extinctions. 
• A.7389 Establishes a two-year moratorium on the establishment of proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining operations and requires the completion of a comprehensive environmental review, allowing experts to conduct the necessary research on the energy-intensive cryptocurrency industry to ensure it aligns with New York’s climate laws and goals.
• A.7429, Enacts the ‘Birds and Bees’ protection act, prohibiting the use of certain pesticides that have been found to cause harm to our pollinators.
• A.9279A Creates a carpet collection program at no cost to New Yorkers, reducing the amount of recyclable carpets that take up a significant amount of space in landfills. This bill also prohibits the use of PFAS on carpets. 
• A2412B Directs the Office of General Services to develop a plan for a zero-emission state vehicle fleet, ensuring New York State vehicles align with our ambitious climate goal of having all passenger vehicles on the road be zero-emission by 2030.
• A.7703 Allows for excess solar electricity generation to be donated as a credit to low-income families, helping reduce the energy cost of families in need while incentivizing the use of renewable energy. 

“The climate crisis is at our doorstep, and now is the time we must take bold actions to protect our future, said Assemblymember Thiele. “I proudly supported this year’s Earth Day legislative package, which represents an unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of our planet and all New Yorkers.”