A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the testing of methane gas emissions before the planting of a new or replacement tree

Int. No. 901

By Council Members Levine, Richards, Chin, Gentile, Mendez, Rose, Constantinides and Rosenthal

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the testing of methane gas emissions before the planting of a new or replacement tree

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 18 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 18-143 to read as follows:

§ 18-143 Methane gas emissions testing. a. The department shall test for methane gas emissions or leaks in the soil of a proposed site of a new or replacement tree before such tree is planted.

b. If a methane gas emission or leak is found at such site, the department shall take appropriate steps to notify promptly the responsible utility and to seek cooperation from the responsible utility for the immediate repair of the emission or leak.

c. The department shall keep a record of all detected emissions or leaks. The department shall post on its website a list of the locations of detected emissions or leaks that have not been repaired within 14 calendar days of the date that notice of such emissions or leaks was given to the responsible utility.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner may take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.

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LS #4764

8-20-15 3:10pm