Summary
This bill amends the energy law and the public authorities law to provide alternative fuel stations along the New York State Thruway every 120 miles for several types of alternative fuels. The specific types of fuel will be determined by the State Energy Research and Development Authority and could include ethanol, methanol, natural gas, propane, electricity, or hydrogen.

Explanation
New York State, and the U.S. as a whole, is gradually moving towards cleaner cars — cars that use alternative fuels or hybrid vehicles that can use both alternative fuels and petroleum fuels. Traditional cars that use petroleum-based fuels are a major source of air quality problems including smog and global warming. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average automobile emits 8,800 pounds of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of global warming, per year. Diminished urban air quality has led to an asthma epidemic in New York City as well as an increase in other respiratory problems. In order to address poor air quality, we need to provide infrastructure to promote the use of less-polluting vehicles.

This bill would make it possible for owners of alternative fuel vehicles, including the staff of public agencies, to use these cleaner vehicles for long-distance travel. Having this infrastructure in place would also provide the necessary incentive for fleet purchasers and individual buyers who may currently be reluctant to invest in alternative fuel vehicles.

Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports this bill.