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The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is embracing solar power in a new initiative that will help fight greenhouse gas emissions and give the authority a new income stream to improve public transit. It plans to lease more than 10 million square feet of its rooftop space to solar power generating companies.

Last week, the State Senate and Assembly both overwhelmingly passed the Child Safe Products Act (A06296-A/S. 501-B) - also known as the Toxic Toys bill, a long overdue step forward in protecting our children’s health and our environment.

The new single-use bag law gives counties and cities the option to opt-in to a five-cent fee for paper bags, which would further reduce litter and solid waste pollution and substantially lower carbon emissions from producing paper bags. Some local governments in New York have already voted in favor of the fee, while others have either opposed it or are still deliberating.

We analyze some of the policy responses that could together help solve the recycling crisis.

Governor Cuomo recently announced a proposal for stricter regulations on ozone standards. The proposed regulations include restrictions on emissions and increased controls on New York’s dirtiest power plants, called peaker power plants, which produce exceedingly harmful emissions during the ozone season.

As more school districts are looking to electrify their bus fleets, they are struggling to afford the costs associated with electric school buses. One solution is the Pay As You Save system. The model would allow utilities to invest in the charger and battery for a bus.

The U.S. recycling industry is in crisis. Many material recovery facilities (MRFs) are limiting or discontinuing their recycling disposal contracts with counties and municipalities across New York and other states, giving them nowhere to put their recyclables. This situation is further exacerbated by improper recycling and limited producer responsibility for products that are the most difficult to deal with.

Last weekend, the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo finalized a progressive state budget for Fiscal Year 2020, establishing several important environmental policies including congestion pricing in Manhattan, a ban on carry-out plastic bags, and legislation to reduce food waste in New York.