Summary
This bill, known as the New York State Healthy and Green Procurement Act, would amend the State Finance Law, Economic Development Law, and Environmental Conservation Law to establish protocols for the purchase of services, commodities, and technologies by state agencies with the goal of minimizing adverse impacts on the environment and public health.

Explanation
This measure would establish minimum specifications for healthy and green procurement for state agencies. These specifications address the purchase of recycled materials, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and green building practices. The bill also increases the membership of the State Procurement Council to include the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation and members of organizations whose function is the enhancement of the public health or the environment. In addition, the legislation would establish the healthy and green procurement council, made up of state agency employees, and the healthy and green procurement advisory board consisting of individuals appointed by the Governor, Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the Assembly.

The bill requires the healthy and green procurement council and advisory board to develop environmentally preferable purchasing criteria for the procurement of products, services and/or technologies which will take into consideration: the protection of public health and the environment and the conservation of natural resources; the protection of drinking water, groundwater, surface water, and air (including indoor air); the protection of eco-systems; pollution prevention; and avoidance of priority toxic substances. A list of healthy and green supplies and/or technologies will also be created to guide state agencies in their procurement activities.

The agencies of the state should serve as role models for the public. This is especially true when it comes to making purchasing decisions that will result in the least harm to public health and the environment.  It is also true in many cases, that making environmentally sound decisions can result in economic benefits. This bill is an important first step in minimizing the state’s impact on the environment and providing much-needed leadership for others to follow.

Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports this bill.