Bill > S01981

This bill aims to establish clean energy goals in New York state by reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) within the state by 20% by the year 2050. The bill requires state and local highway projects to comply with these VMT reduction targets. It creates a Vehicle Miles Traveled Assessment Working Group to study and make recommendations for implementing VMT assessments and developing a plan to assess, monitor, and approve a given project's impact mitigation actions. The bill also amends the Highway Law to require the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a VMT impact assessment for any highway capacity expansion project, and if the project does not align with the 20% VMT reduction goal, it must be altered or sufficiently offset with impact mitigation efforts, such as expanding alternative transportation infrastructure, implementing transportation demand management strategies, or adjusting land use to reduce VMT.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S1981