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Assembly approves bill restricting oil and gas leasing on state forest and wildlife lands
Summary
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment to the Environmental Conservation Law to prohibit expanding or renewing oil and gas leases on state forest, reforestation and wildlife management areas; supporters said it protects watersheds and carbon sequestration, opponents warned it could worsen energy affordability. Vote: 94–49.
The New York State Assembly passed Rules Report 18 (Assembly No. 9511) on March 10, approving a chapter amendment to the Environmental Conservation Law that bars increasing acreage, drilling new wells or renewing leases for oil and gas production in state forest lands, reforestation areas and wildlife management areas.
Sponsor Miss Glick said the change is intended to "protect key areas of the state" that "sequester carbon" and preserve watershed protections. She told colleagues the amendment "clarifies some of the limitations on oil and gas production leases on state forest, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas," and argued existing production from the covered sites is minimal.
Opponents framed the measure as a potential hit to affordability and energy supply. One member argued "we're in the midst of an energy crisis in New York" and said residents are seeing utility bills rise; another warned that restricting drilling on state lands could reduce locally available natural gas and keep prices high. Questions during debate focused on whether the amendment allows transfers or modification of existing leases, the typical length of lease terms (sponsors said many leases are 10‑year terms), and how the amendment affects the ability to plug abandoned wells.
Sponsor's supporters said the amendment does not prohibit activity outside the named areas and noted it allows modification or transfer of existing leases but prevents expansion or renewal in those specific lands. Miss Glick emphasized the amendment was a "minor fix" to prevent inadvertent barriers to capping old wells while protecting lands with conservation value.
The Assembly recorded a party vote; the clerk announced Ayes 94, Nays 49 and the bill passed. The act was read to take effect immediately according to the text presented on the floor.
Votes at a glance (other floor actions that day): Assembly A1248‑c (calendar 144), an amendment to the General Business Law, was passed (clerk recorded the vote at the time of reading); Assembly A1296‑B (calendar 47) amending the Public Health Law related to the rare disease advisory council was also passed earlier in the session.
The bill will take effect as written in the adopted language; members opposing and supporting the change made their positions part of the public record during the floor debate.
