This is an update to an article in the recently published Pipecaster (Volume 46, Issue 2), “2023 NYS Legislative Session Wrap-Up.” As noted in that article, while the NYS Legislature had its last “scheduled” session day on Thursday, June 8th, the Senate officially adjourned June 10th but because the Assembly failed to pass a host of bills, it returned the week of June 20th. The Assembly finally adjourned on the 21st. Among the bills that now have passed both houses includes a housing bill: “Housing Affordability, Resiliency, and Energy Efficiency Investment Act” (HAREEIA) which updates and renews certain affordable housing finance programs as well as includes new authorizations to allow longer loan periods, larger loan amounts, and support new models of affordable housing including community land trusts. The legislation also would add language to certain loan authorities to allow for loans to finance childcare centers, senior centers, and other non-residential facilities. Noteworthy bills that were not taken up by the Assembly upon its return, and therefore not passed by both NYS legislative houses this year, include the “Coverage for All” bill (passed the Senate on June 8th) which would extend New York’s “Essential Plan,” the basic state health insurance plan available to lower-income state residents, to undocumented immigrants wishing to enroll, and as mentioned in the Pipecaster, the “No Slavery in New York Act” and “Sammy’s Law.” We continue to monitor legislation at both the State and City levels and will keep our members updated on important changes and adoptions.

Remember congestion pricing? Not surprising if it has slipped one’s mind. To refresh one’s recollection, in 2019, the New York State Legislature passed a congestion pricing law as part of its 2020 budget legislation, known as the “Traffic Mobility Act.” The law established a “Central Business District” within which tolling must be imposed. The Central Business District consists of any roadway, bridge, tunnel, approach, or ramp located south of 60th Street in Manhattan but not the FDR, West Side Highway, Battery Park underpass, or Hugh Carey Tunnel. The law also established the Traffic Mobility Review Board, which is tasked with developing recommendations to be submitted to the MTA’s Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA). These recommendations are supposed to include the cost of the fees imposed in the Central Business District as well as any credits, discounts, and exemptions. The tolls imposed must generate $15 billion in bonds to fund the MTA. To date, the Traffic Mobility Review Board has not issued recommendations which were first projected to be submitted by the end of 2020 with the State’s expectation that the plan would become effective in January 2021. This has not happened. While public hearings began in fall 2021, there has still been no update on the Board’s recommendations. One explanation for the delay stems from the fact the roadways associated with the Central Business District have received federal dollars. Due to this, New York is required to have an environmental impact statement conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish its congestion pricing program. According to a recent article, Governor Kathy “Hochul and MTA officials have pointed to the federal government’s lengthy approval process for knocking the plan off schedule, citing 425 comments on the project’s environmental assessment.” The topic was raised in a recent Governor’s debate and all candidates, including Hochul, supported a delay. While there was some speculation that Governor Hochul was not fully supportive, another recent article explains she is “100%” in support of congestion pricing. That article also says she met with federal officials to “discuss[] the hundreds of objections and requests for additional information made by federal officials in response to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s initial study of the toll’s environmental and economic impacts.” Still, there is no clearly established timeline for the environmental assessment or the recommendations for the plan. Because the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. expects an impact on NYC’s plumbing industry as a result of congestion pricing, we are closely monitoring the issue and are prepared to submit comments in support of an exception or discount for those working in the service industry who must respond to 24-hour emergency calls. *UPDATE 6/30/2022: According to an article, the MTA has said in a Board Meeting that it has answered the 400+ questions about how the environment might be impacted if it charges drivers a fee to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, in response to the federally mandated environmental assessment. Next steps include approval from the Federal Highway Administration, but there is still a long road ahead: the MTA “must conduct more public outreach, install devices to collect the tolls, and set a price that will ultimately raise $1 billion a year in revenue.” Accordingly, the MTA said it expects congestion pricing will go into effect by the end of 2023.

The Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. hosted a three-part webinar series in which experts discussed water efficiency, Legionella prevention, and the importance of preparedness against backflow.

The recordings are no longer available, but if you are interested in the videos and/or materials presented, please email info@plumbingfoundation.nyc.

Part 1: Water Efficiency (originally recorded on March 22, 2022)

Coinciding with World Water Day, this panel discussed water efficiency and sustainability methods, the role of the Licensed Master Plumber, and ways owners can work with their plumber to conserve water usage and increase sustainability. Our expert panelists included:

• Stephanie Tanner, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, Lead Engineer, WaterSense Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Alan Cohn, Managing Director, Integrated Water Management, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• John Brock, Policy Analyst, Integrated Water Management, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• Peter Li, PE, LEED AP, Associate Partner, Jaros, Baum & Bolles

Part 2: Legionella Prevention (originally recorded on March 23, 2022)

This panel discussed the Legionella problem and what more can and should be done in New York City to prevent and combat Legionnaires’ Disease. Our expert panelists included:

• Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine
• Dr. Janet Stout, President of Special Pathogens Laboratory
• John Letson, VP of Plant Operations at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
• Robert Greenberg, President, Evergreen Mechanical

Part 3: Backflow Preparedness (originally recorded on March 24, 2022)

This panel discussed the impact of recent mega storms on NYC homeowners, the Citywide Climate Adaptation Plan passed by the NYC Council last October, as well as the existing backflow prevention requirements and why it is vital to comply with installation and testing requirements. Our expert panelists include:

• NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.
• Muhammad Hossain, PhD, PE, Chief-Connections, BWSO, NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Adj. Professor at City University of New York
• Rob Greenberg, President, Evergreen Mechanical
• Ron Merhige, PE, CEM, President, RLM Engineering PLLC

*UPDATED 7/5/2022

Please join the Plumbing Foundation for a FREE virtual three-part seminar series March 22-24, 2022! The Water Conservation, Safety, & Welfare series will entail experts discussing water efficiency, Legionella prevention, and the importance of preparedness against backflow. Please click on the applicable event to register! Part 1: Water Efficiency – March 22, 2022 at 10-11am Coinciding with World Water Day, a discussion on the role of the Licensed Master Plumber and ways owners can work with their plumber to conserve water usage and increase sustainability. Our expert panelists include:

• Stephanie Tanner, CEM, LEED AP BD+C, Lead Engineer, WaterSense Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Alan Cohn, Managing Director, Integrated Water Management, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• John Brock, Policy Analyst, Integrated Water Management, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• Peter Li, PE, LEED AP, Associate Partner, Jaros, Baum & Bolles

Part 2: Legionella Prevention – March 23, 2022 at 10-11am An overview on the Legionella problem and what more can and should be done in New York City to prevent and combat Legionnaires’ Disease. Our expert panelists include:

• Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine
• Dr. Janet Stout, President of Special Pathogens Laboratory
• John Letson, VP of Plant Operations at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
• Robert Greenberg, President, Evergreen Mechanical

Part 3: Backflow Preparedness – March 24, 2022 at 10-11am A discussion on the impact of recent mega storms on NYC homeowners, the Citywide Climate Adaptation Plan passed by the NYC Council last October, as well as the existing backflow prevention requirements and why it is vital to comply with installation and testing requirements. Our expert panelists include:

• NYS Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.
• Muhammad Hossain, PhD, PE, Chief-Connections, BWSO, NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Adj. Professor at City University of New York
• Rob Greenberg, President, Evergreen Mechanical
• Ron Merhige, PE, CEM, President, RLM Engineering PLLC

Registrants will receive a Zoom webinar link the day before the applicable event.

In the waning hours of his administration, Mayor deBlasio has misled the City Council to eliminate reliable natural gas, thereby limiting NYC to rely exclusively on electricity for heating, cooking, and hot water. His administration claims it is doing so in the best interests of the climate and NYC businesses and residents. Ask anyone who is a documented and substantiated expert and they will tell you that, based on the SCIENCE, electrification by 2023 or 2027 is not smart, not viable, and not “green.” The advocates for this ill-conceived plan claim to rely on science, but in fact, the science does not support a conversion to full electricity as a sustainable, green, and reliable means of powering NYC. Intro. 2317A prohibits the use of ANYTHING but electricity. How can electricity be the savior for New York City’s climate crisis? It can’t and isn’t. If it were the answer, the federal infrastructure bill signed into law by President Biden less than a month ago would not have invested almost 10 billion dollars into hydrogen (a gas, not electricity) as a part of the fight against Climate Change. The advocates also either failed to mention or the City Council chose to ignore the fact that 70% of electricity production needed to supply NYC’s electric demand is currently produced using some level of fossil fuel consumption. Does that sound “green”? If the science is there, why is a viability study under this bill due the same day the ban goes into effect in 2023? How can City Council members make an educated, informed decision without the information they need to do so? It is irresponsible to restrict buildings from use of other green fuel sources, many of which are being developed, and instead rely solely on electricity, which is not “greener” than gas. We have seen what happens when there is no diversification. We’re not talking just about power related issues like the ones that crippled NYC post Super- Storm Sandy or the Texas grid issue this past winter. A one source approach which is not backed by science is bad for everyone (tenants, homeowners, developers, the current infrastructure, and the environment). The City’s approach should instead be to help support and encourage all clean, green solutions, including gas, instead of relying on a short-sighted, one-size-fits-all approach. PRESS RELEASE: Strong Concerns with NYC Intro. 2317A (gas ban legislation) FROM: Association of Contracting Plumbers City of New York CONTACT: Terence O’Brien 212-481-4580 / t.obrien@acpcny.org DATE: December 14, 2021 Download PDF version of Press release The Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York Inc. (ACP), is a trade association of New York City licensed, unionized plumbing firms. Established in 1881, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the country. ACP member firms have built and maintained the sanitary, fuel gas, methane retention, solar heat/solar hot water, and medical gas systems in countless New York City buildings. ACP plumbing firms protect the health of all who live, work, and visit New York City.

The Plumbing Foundation City of New York, Inc. hosted a discussion on November 9th on the role of hydrogen in the implementation of climate protection policies to meet our local carbon emission goals. Also discussed was systemic resiliency and why total electrification for heating and cooking is not viable or cost efficient in NYC. A link to the webinar is available here. Presentations and supporting materials available for download below:

• Agenda & Biographies for 2021 Renewable Energy Forum: Role of Hydrogen
• PFCNY Role of Hydrogen Forum Presentation
• H2 Forum Presentation
• Stony Brook University, I-GIT presentation

Seminar date: Feb 18, 2021 Seminar Recording: https://zoom.us/rec/share/OykqO_3VZ3kycuPIYYObniqQrVZPU0O-726oTMR7FSEG0nH1ocMEiv89edoqpPI0.3dx_JDLBj2ffC3YY Contact us for more information or if the link above has expired.

Seminar date: Feb 18, 2021 Seminar Recording: https://zoom.us/rec/share/JIQK__l9SMRjKmEUiZgYK7At64WHwDrsLfXZKcJKSiKr03pf4ll-url_E7Qv8GmC.XkrIoDyzhzIKeSFs Contact us for more information or if the link above has expired.

View an archive of our NYC Gas Laws seminar. Available for the next 30 days.

Plumbers: How NYC Gas Laws Impact You

Seminar date: Feb 11, 2021 Seminar Recording: https://zoom.us/rec/share/Np9XJC7_f3spor27LQlR9v9XeJy49Phgfi8pvQwlXyeRzmIgodbqS5OE-r8goUgk.OMOyjExHhpj73eJX Contact us for more information or if the link above has expired.