Latest news with #Griffo
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill introduced to make gas pump clips for hands-free filling universal
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — If you've been to any gas station, you've mostly seen and used the clips on the pump handle that allow you to pump gas without holding the handle down. One New York Senator, Joe Griffo, a Republican representing the 53rd District, is working to make these clips universal. Griffo has introduced a bill in the Senate. According to Griffo's office, out of 50 states in the nation, only New York State has some restrictions on locking fuel handles at the gas pump. He said these regulations are decades old and were written because of less safe technology then. 'In 2008, they began in the fire code in the state, we're going to implement and enforce the revisions that were done back in the 80s,' he said. News 8 went to 10 gas stations near the Humboldt Street studios — three in Rochester, two along Empire Boulevard, and two in Webster — and all but one had these clips. '$3 for gas is crazy': Why gas prices differ between pumps, experts weigh in A spokesperson with the city of Rochester's fire marshal says there is currently no ban on the clips. They say if this legislation were passed, it would shift regulation to the Attorney General's office, rather than through the fire code, and gas stations would then install the clips on the pumps that don't have them already. Griffo says new technology makes the clips and hands-free filling safer and easier, and helpful in winter. 'People were saying when it's 20 below zero, and standing there and holding this gas thing when you can be in your car, is challenging and problematic,' Griffo says there are two weeks left in session, and this bill may not make it to a vote this time around. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Upstate lawmaker pushing bill to allow hands-free gas pumps in New York like rest of United States
New Yorkers might finally be able to go hands free at the gas pump if one upstate lawmaker gets his way. State Sen. Joe Griffo (R-Onedia) has introduced a bill to greenlight the use of clips to hold open gas pump nozzles through out the Empire State — devices already legal in the country's 49 other states. Griffo said he sponsored the legislation after investigating the matter following complaints from constituents. Advertisement 3 State Sen. Joe Griffo (R-Onedia) is sponsoring a bill that would allow the use of hold-open clips on gas nozzles throughout New York – devices already legal in the country's 49 other states. dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images 'This bill would bring New York State in line with the rest of the country, [and] protect the elderly and other New Yorkers by limiting their exposure to harsh and potentially dangerous weather conditions when pumping gas, and [it would] rein in government overreach,' Griffo said in a statement to The Post Saturday. The bill, introduced April 15, will be 'supported by many, especially given advances in pump technology and station safety features.' Advertisement New York's fire code has not allowed gas clips since the early 1980s, when self-service pumps were first approved. 3 New York State Sen. Joe Griffo (R-Onedia) NY Senate There were concerns then that the devices could fail and allow gas to overflow out of a vehicle, but the worries have been unwarranted based on use in other states. Advertisement 3 Griffo said he sponsored the legislation after receiving many complaints from constituents who want to use gas clips. Getty Images Griffo has compared the gas clip-rules to government overreach limiting the number of gallons per minute that flow through showerheads and other appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and toilets. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month calling for an immediate end of water pressure regulations implemented by former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, touting the action will make 'America's Showers Great Again' — and keep his signature blond hair 'beautiful.'
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local legislators voice concerns on CLCPA
MARCY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblymembers Brian Miller and Marianne Buttenschon were at Utica Mack in Marcy on Friday, January 31 to express their concerns with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The bill was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2019 to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and make the state grid completely powered by renewable energy by 2040. However, the legislators have said that the act did not provide adequate guidelines for how the goals were to be achieved. Other concerns raised at the legislator's press conference included the effect on energy bills and the possibility of jeopardizing the security and reliability of the state's energy grid. 'I clearly support continuous efforts to keep our communities environmentally sound,' Assemblywoman Buttenschon said in a statement. 'However, we must also be sure that our businesses can thrive. As chair of the Small Business Committee in the New York State Assembly, I am confident that if we listen to our small business owners we can accomplish this collaboratively. They have expressed to me that they want a vibrant environment for their families and employees to live in. We must take a commonsense approach to have a balance between a productive work community and a healthy environment.' Other concerns brought up in the press conference included: The implementation of the Advanced Clean Truck Rule. This rule went into effect on January 1 and requires all medium and heavy-duty vehicles to be manufactured as zero emission. This rule includes all municipal plows. The goal of the rule is to have all trucks over 8,500 pounds be zero-emission by 2045. However, several groups — including Utica Mack — have pushed back against this rule, saying that it is detrimental to businesses and Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon have introduced legislation delaying the implementation of the rule to understand the impacts it would have on industries and municipalities in the state. Miller has said he will co-sponsor the bill in the Assembly. Regulations prohibiting products with hydrofluorocarbons. The legislators said that this new regulation will cripple businesses across the state by imposing significant costs. The National Supermarket Association has said it would cost New York grocery stores between $300,000 and $1 million to replace cooling compressors that power their refrigerators. The electric school bus mandate. This mandate requires all new school buses purchased in New York State be zero-emission. The goal is for all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. However, school districts have shared their concerns about finances to buy these buses, among others. Yesterday, Assemblyman Robert Smullen — who is an Assemblyman for Herkimer County — and Senator Griffo voiced their concerns and introduced legislation for an opt-out waiver from the mandate. 'These regulations have created an almost insurmountable burden on businesses like Utica Mack in New York State, forcing us to sell a product that consumers do not want, and that the state's current infrastructure cannot support,' Tom Heiland, President of Utica Mack, said in a statement. 'These laws are not just hurting individual businesses, they are undermining our ability to operate effectively in a state already strained by overregulation. It has become nearly impossible to conduct business in New York under these conditions. We are committed to advocating for a practical solution. Please join us in welcoming Senator Griffo and Assemblymembers Buttenschon and Miller to discuss these issues and direct us all on ways move forward and potentially stop this law.' All three legislators have asked their constituents to contact the offices of Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie with their concerns. Their information is below: Gov. Kathy Hochul1-518-474-8390https:// (to send a message) Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins(518) 455-2585scousins@ Speaker Carl Heastie518-455-3791Speaker@ 'The CLCPA has placed an undue burden on our communities, businesses, and schools, all while failing to provide the necessary guidance or resources to achieve its lofty goals,' Assemblyman Miller said in a statement. 'From costly mandates on electric school buses to regulations impacting small businesses and municipalities, the implementation of this policy is creating significant challenges for the people of New York. I did not support the CLCPA because it lacks actionable solutions and imposes unrealistic expectations that disproportionately harm rural and upstate communities. It's clear that this policy needs immediate adjustments to ensure fairness and practicality, and I stand with my colleagues in calling for changes that will better serve our residents while protecting their livelihoods and local economies.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
