August 6, 2007

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.

Congestion Pricing Part II: All Hands on Deck (in the Capitol)

Just two weeks ago, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed legislation—during a special, one-day-only session—to set in place a process to create a congestion pricing plan for New York City. 

Many legislators expressed concerns about NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s original plan. These concerns ranged from questions about the details of implementation (i.e. how do you collect a fee from every vehicle that enters Lower Manhattan, given the number of streets, tunnels, etc., that lead to the area), to potential privacy issues (the Mayor's plan requires surveillance cameras be installed to photograph license plates for the purpose of mailing a bill to the owner). 

So the state legislature decided to start the vetting process over again. The legislation that was passed by both houses and signed by Governor Spitzer sets up a timeline for creating a plan, soliciting and collecting public input, and approving it by March 31, 2008.

Among the milestones required by the legislation:

August 1, 2007. Mayor submits his plan to legislature, Governor, MTA and New York DOT.

October 1, 2007:  MTA and DOT give feedback on the plan and how it will affect operations and budgets. This is also the deadline for the federal government to commit at least $250 million to the plan and its implementation (by December 31, 2007, New York City has to pony up $50 million).

March 31, 2008:  Legislature has to consider—and vote upon—a plan to implement congestion pricing on or before this date, and the Mayor and City Council must also approve a home rule message asking the state legislature to approve the plan.

There's still a long way to go to implement congestion pricing, but our state lawmakers have agreed with the Governor and the Mayor on a way forward. And in Albany that’s sometimes half the battle.

Stay tuned. Visit www.eany.org in the coming weeks for more news.

We Met the Green the Tree Challenge!

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Environmental Advocates of New York met and surpassed this year’s special Green the Tree Challenge.

Earlier this year, anonymous donors challenged us to raise $50,000 in new or increased gifts. If we could meet the goal, they promised to match those gifts dollar for dollar—thus turning $50,000 into $100,000 to support our critical work protecting New York’s natural heritage.

 Thank you for all you do to make our work possible.

Hudson Valley Celebrates Preservation Bill

Last Thursday, Environmental Advocates of New York and some of our 80+ coalition partners from the statewide Campaign for Community Preservation, as well as a few dozen Hudson Valley residents, came together at Bylane Farms in Katonah to recognize the efforts of NYS Senator Vincent Leibell and Assemblyman Adam Bradley.

Leibell and Bradley were feted for their hard work to pass the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act this year. The measure to protect natural areas was overwhelmingly approved in both houses and now awaits the Governor's signature. We don’t anticipate any hold-up once the Act gets to the Governor’s desk.

However, without Senator Leibell and Assemblyman Bradley this bill would have died in the Capitol and never made it to the floor.

The Hudson Valley-only measure is the local version of the statewide Community Preservation Act, one of the environmental community’s priority “Super Bills” for 2007.

The bill gives municipalities in Westchester and Putnam counties the power to create funds to protect natural and historic heritage when and if local voters choose to do so.

For more information about preservation funds, visit www.savenys.org

While the legislation covers only two New York counties, Westchester and Putnam are among those counties most threatened by sprawl. The legislation was also carefully designed so that other communities could be added to it in the future.

Tell Your Great Lakes Story  

Submit your story and photos for a chance to win prizes—including a kayak, digital camera, fishing gear, and more. Prizes are being awarded all summer long for the most compelling, fun and entertaining photos and stories. More than $7,500 in prizes will be awarded, including four grand prizes. People of all ages are encouraged to enter, with categories for children, high school students and adults. Contest runs through Aug. 20. Visit www.healthylakes.org to submit your entry.

Four for Four (Super Bills, That Is)

Environmental Advocates of New York recently released the names of members of the New York State Legislature who supported the environmental community's "Super Bills" this year. These lawmakers made protecting our most precious natural resources a priority.

Click here to see if your local lawmakers made the list. The 2007 Super Bills include:

 *The Community Preservation Act. This statewide opt-in bill would give New York municipalities the power to put preservation funding to a local vote, when and if they choose to do so, without first receiving the permission of the legislature.

*The Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act, also known as the 'wetlands bill', would close a gaping loophole in wetlands protections across the state.

*The Bigger Better Bottle Bill would update New York's most successful recycling plan to fit the drinking habits of today's consumers, and earmark unclaimed deposits for the state's Environmental Protection Fund.

*The Climate Change Solutions Act & Fund would dedicate money generated in the state's auction of carbon dioxide emission credits to increase energy efficiency and support clean energy.

 Save the Date: Long Island Solar Tour on October 6th

Renewable Energy Lond Island (RELI) is hosting the Solar Tour and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR on Long Island on October 6, 2007.   

See solar technologies and green building features in action at over 101 sites. Click here for more information.