New York Environmental Legislation: 2016 In Review

While 2016 did not bring major environmental legislation in New York state, laws were enacted that could have significant impacts in coming years, including a law that allows plaintiffs to bring toxic tort claims in connection with newly designated Superfund sites that might otherwise be barred by existing statutes of limitations. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo also signed laws requiring lead testing of drinking water in schools, establishing a task force to study ocean acidification, and creating a program to fund local climate change mitigation and adaptation projects.

This annual survey reports on these developments and other environmental laws enacted in 2016.

Toxic Torts

The New York State Legislature responded to the discovery of unregulated perfluorinated compounds in drinking water sources by passing a law allowing plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits arising from contact with or exposure to substances found within a designated state or federal Superfund site to