April 14, 2008

Welcome to Environmental Advocates of New York’s online newsletter from the State Capital, your source for environmental news. We’ll update you every other week with tidbits and observations carefully gleaned from the halls of the Capitol.

Budget Blues

It may come as a surprise to some New Yorkers that given the dire fiscal predictions of the last few months, the final State Budget did nothing to fix overly generous tax credits or enact proposals that would raise revenue, and therefore failed to address the big green concerns raised by Environmental Advocates of New York. 

 

Despite the growing fiscal gloom caused by a credit crunch and shrinking state receipts, priority issues that didn't make it into the budget include much-needed reforms to tax credits under the Brownfield Cleanup Program, failure to update the state's bottle deposit law and Title V air pollution fees. The budget includes wasteful spending on a coal-fired power plant in Jamestown, NY, and also failed to keep revenues generated by the regional climate plan clean and green, among other issues. 

 

On the plus side, many state lawmakers let us know that they plan to pursue legislative fixes for these issues during the remainder of the Legislative Session. But from an environmental perspective, there's not much good news to report. 

 

Click here to read the details. 

Governor Paterson Says No to Broadwater

Late last week, Governor David Paterson lent his formal "no" to the growing chorus of lawmakers, leaders, advocacy groups, and residents fighting the proposed natural gas terminal in the Long Island Sound.

 

Governor Paterson, Environmental Advocates of New York thanks you for doing the right thing.

 

Industrializing the Long Island Sound--after so many millions of dollars and hours of energy have been devoted to cleaning it up--would be a big, and potentially dangerous, mistake.

 

Green groups, including Environmental Advocates, have opposed Broadwater since it was first proposed. If built, the liquefied natural gas terminal could endanger the health of the Sound and the safety of residents living on or near either shoreline.

 

Leaders and lawmakers from every corner of the state, and Connecticut too, have come out against the project, including Senator Hillary Clinton and Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell.

 

No Votes for Congestion Pricing 

Despite a major lobbying effort by environmental groups and others, neither the State Senate nor the Assembly took up legislation to enact New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s much-discussed proposal to implement a congestion pricing fee on drivers in Lower Manhattan. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has said that $354 million in federal assistance for mass transit improvements will now go to another city. Time will tell.

Members of the Assembly Majority Conference reported that their members were nearly 3 to 1 against enacting the plan to charge drivers for entering a zone in Manhattan, so the matter didn’t make it to the floor for a vote.

Too bad. Pass or fail, here’s another instance where this proposal, or even a modified bill, should have been debated out in the open.   

But this is Albany--nothing ever really dies and there are always new deals to be cut. Stay tuned.

Green Pensions for New York State

Thanks to Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, the New York State Common Retirement Fund is going green. Last week the Comptroller unveiled his new Green Strategic Investment Program, which will add $500 more to "green" investments from the Fund's entire portfolio.

 

While the Fund has included environmentally responsible investments in the past, the Green Strategic Investment Program will expand overall green investments significantly.

FLOW: For the Love of Water 

At 7pm on Thursday, April 17, WAMC public radio will feature a special presentation of the documentary Flow: For Love of Water at the Linda Norris Auditorium in Albany.

 

A panel discussion, featuring Environmental Advocates of New York's own Katherine Nadeau, among others, will follow the film. Tickets are $6. Click here for more information.

If You Love the Lakes

Join Environmental Advocates of New York and other groups to educate state lawmakers about the Great Lakes on Monday, May 5.

 

Hear from decision-makers about what New York is doing to protect the Lakes. Attend a briefing by the International Joint Commission regarding their controversial report on lake levels. Meet with policy-makers to discuss Great Lakes issues.

 

To RSVP, contact Katherine Nadeau at knadeau@eany.org.

Bills On the Move

Every week during the Legislative Session, Environmental Advocates of New York looks at the measures that will impact the environment for good or ill. Here are this week's Bills on the Move.

 

Two trees for Solar Net Metering. This bill would update the state's limited net metering law (the policy that credits consumers for the clean energy they generate) to include non-residential solar systems of up to 2,000 kilowatts and increase the limits on residential solar systems, too.

Three trees for Smart Growth for a New Century. This bill would promote sensible development in New York State by providing an optional process for communities to create plans that adhere to "smart growth" principles. Development projects consistent with these plans would be eligible for low-interest loans, as well as other incentives.

 

One tree for Energy Conservation Protection. This bill would prohibit the Public Service Commission from authorizing utility rate increases by utility companies to offset any loss of revenue due to consumer conservation efforts.

Click here to learn more about these measures.