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A 4252

Establishes a moratorium on the building or placing of any permanent or semi-permanent wind turbine in the waters of Lake Ontario located within the state

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Jensen

Assembly Bill A-4252 would pause all permanent or semi-permanent wind turbines in New York's Lake Ontario waters, halting offshore wind development in the lake.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · A 4252

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4252

Overview

Assembly Bill A 4252 proposes a moratorium on the construction or placement of any permanent or semi-permanent wind turbine in the waters of Lake Ontario that are located within New York State. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee. The primary sponsor is Assemblymember Josh Jensen. Related bills from prior sessions include A 8399 and A 3030.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a pause (moratorium) on new wind turbine projects in Lake Ontario’s state waters.
  • The bill’s aim appears to be to halt development to enable review or further study of potential environmental, ecological, economic, or stakeholder impacts before permitting additional offshore wind activity in this specific lake environment.

Key provisions (as described in available information)

  • Prohibition on building or placing any wind turbine that is permanent or semi-permanent in the waters of Lake Ontario within New York State.
  • The summary provided does not include a stated duration for the moratorium, specific enforcement mechanisms, safety or permitting processes, exemptions, or penalties. The exact scope, exceptions, and timeline would be defined in the full bill text.

Geographic scope

  • Applies only to the waters of Lake Ontario located within New York State. It does not mention other bodies of water or offshore areas outside New York.

Who would be affected

  • Wind energy developers and project sponsors seeking to build or place wind turbines in Lake Ontario waters within NY.
  • Utilities and energy developers with anticipated offshore wind interests or existing, pending, or proposed projects in the lake.
  • Local governments, commercial and recreational boaters, fisheries, tourism operators, and environmental groups with an interest in Lake Ontario’s ecosystem and economic uses.
  • State agencies involved in environmental conservation, energy permitting, and offshore development oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 31, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee. No further action details are provided in the summary.
  • Legislative actions recorded: The bill appears with duplicate "REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION" entries on the same date, indicating a standard initial committee referral.

Related legislation

  • A 8399 (prior-session) and A 3030 (prior-session) are listed as related bills, suggesting similar or predecessor proposals addressing offshore wind or lake-related energy development.

Practical considerations and questions

  • The duration of the moratorium and any possible exceptions (e.g., existing permits, pilot projects, safety exemptions) are not specified here.
  • It is unclear whether the bill directs any environmental or economic impact studies, public hearings, or interim reporting requirements.
  • If enacted, the bill would interact with existing state energy goals and any ongoing or planned offshore wind initiatives in the Great Lakes region.

For readers seeking full details, the bill text would clarify the duration, exceptions, enforcement provisions, and how the moratorium would be implemented and rescinded.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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