Pacific Environment and partners are working to advance the New York State Clean Ferries Bill to accelerate the transition to zero-emission public ferries and cleaner air for waterfront communities across New York. The moment for action is now.
In New York State, the transportation sector accounts for nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. The New York State Clean Ferries Bill would help reduce harmful pollution, improve air quality for New Yorkers, support the state’s climate goals and strengthen economic development. The bill establishes timelines for publicly funded ferries to transition to zero-emission technology and mandates a feasibility study to support the transition of certain workboats (primarily tug boats) to zero emission. By advancing this legislation, New York has an opportunity to address urgent public health challenges while positioning itself as a leader in the rapidly growing green maritime technology and in the jobs it will create.
Burning diesel fuel releases asthma and cancer-causing air pollutants that harm passengers and nearby communities. NYC Ferry alone emits 180,000 kg of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) a year, equivalent to 116,000 cars. NOₓ contributes to ozone pollution linked to hundreds of premature deaths and thousands of emergency visits annually in NYC.
New Yorkers should be reaping the economic benefits of rapidly emerging electrification technologies, including job creation and growth in local shipyards building zero-emission ferries. This bill will help existing companies grow, attract new investment and show that reducing emissions is good for both the planet and the economy.
Diesel ferries risk oil leaks and spills that can contaminate water and harm aquatic ecosystems. They also generate underwater noise that disrupts marine life. Zero-emission ferries eliminate oil leak risks and help protect New York’s waterways and aquatic ecosystems.
New York State Assembly Member Simon and State Senator Kavanagh have introduced bills A11303/S10381 to lower air pollution by transitioning public ferries to zero emissions. With the state’s legislative session approaching its end, this is a critical moment for the bill to advance. Decisions made now will determine whether New York moves forward with cleaner, healthier ferry systems — or misses the opportunity this session to act on emissions, public health and climate goals.
Access key materials from Pacific Environment and official state legislative sources related to the New York State Ferries Bill, including fact sheets and bill text.
Read coverage, reports and analysis on ferry electrification efforts, funding developments and broader progress toward zero-emission maritime transportation.
NYS bill aims to cut transportation emissions (FingerLakes1)
The Trust for Governors Island Debuts New Hybrid-Electric Ferry: the Harbor Charger (Governor’s Island)
Major Grant Will Help Electrify Seastreak Ferry (The Two River Times)
Pacific Environment is proud to work alongside environmental organizations, community advocates, industry leaders and policy partners supporting the New York State Clean Ferries Bill and the transition to zero-emission ferries across New York.
The bill requires all publicly funded ferry companies to purchase only zero-emission vessels starting in 2028, and requires public vessels operating in state waters to be zero emissions by 2042.
A “zero-emission” ferry refers to a ferry that produces zero exhaust emissions of any greenhouse gas, criteria pollutant or precursor pollutant under any and all possible operational modes or conditions. These include battery electric ferries or those powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
A “near-zero-emission” ferry refers to a ferry that uses technologies that significantly reduce exhaust emissions of any greenhouse gas, criteria pollutant or precursor pollutant under any and all possible operational modes or conditions and provide a pathway to zero-emission operations. These include hybrid diesel-electric ferries that can run on zero emissions for a specified minimum distance.
The bill applies to ferry routes operating in NY state waterways. As such, we anticipate that the following ferry systems would likely be covered under this legislation: NYC Ferry (all routes), NY Waterway (NY-only route Haverstraw-Ossining), Staten Island Ferry and Governors Island Ferry. However, final determination and confirmation of applicable systems and routes would be made by the relevant agencies responsible for implementation and oversight of the bill.
We expect close to 40 vessels to be covered by this bill across New York City ferry services and select regional operators. This includes NYC Ferry, which operates 27 vessels, the Staten Island Ferry with nine vessels in service, and Governors Island ferries with one diesel vessel and one hybrid-electric passenger-vehicle ferry, with plans to transition to full electric operations. NYC Ferry’s fleet is primarily powered by diesel engines, and they have conducted a pilot program using renewable diesel on select routes.
Explore the full list of FAQs to learn more about the New York State Clean Ferries Bill, zero-emission ferry technology and the transition to cleaner maritime transportation in New York. Interested in the bill and Pacific Environment’s efforts? Reach out to Northeast Climate State Policy Manager Karina Brocco French to connect and collaborate.