A New York bill aims to cut transportation emissions.
The “Planes, Trains and Boats Act” seeks to reduce airplane, ferry and train emissions by shifting away from fossil fuel-powered transportation. Some companies are making the switch, such as the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, which implemented electric boats in 2020.
Wayne Arden, vice-chair of the Sierra Club of New York City, said the U.S. is just becoming aware of technologies commonplace in other parts of the world.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of awareness in the United States about battery electric trains, which I mentioned are being deployed in numbers in Europe,” Arden explained. “And when it comes to electric ferries, similarly, Norway has deployed over 100. Bangkok has deployed over 100.”
However, the bill’s primary challenge to passing is political will from lawmakers. Studies show 11% of New York bills introduced become law. Given that the bill has been introduced – although it failed to pass during the last two legislative sessions – it is uncertain how long it will take to become law.
A major challenge with the electric transition and other climate change projects is cost. While low or zero-emission projects have high up-front costs, studies show there are long-term cost benefits.
Teresa Bui, climate policy director for the advocacy group Pacific Environment, said despite having one of the largest ferry systems in the nation, New York is behind on making boats zero-emission.
“It comes down to cost and it comes down to the need for standard policy to level the playing field,” Bui contended. “We didn’t see a zero emissions ferry in California until California passed the commercial harbor craft rule in 2023.”
Widespread adoption of zero-emission boats and ferries would improve the environmental health of the states’ waterways. However, it remains to be seen what the enforcement mechanism will be for people who do not abide by the bill’s provisions, should it become law.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.