November 17, 2008

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

New York State's Budget Cloud Has Plastic Lining 

First the good news. In his most recent set of proposals to close New York State's budget gap, Governor David Paterson wants to expand and update the state’s bottle deposit law to match the drinking habits of today's consumers. An updated bottle bill would include drinks like bottled water and iced tea.  

The bad news is that Governor Paterson also cut $50 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. The Fund is the state’s primary source of resources for all things environmental, including open space preservation, farmland preservation, parks improvements, water quality improvements, and much, much more.

Environmental Advocates of New York and green groups from every corner of the state have been trying to update the state's bottle deposit law for years. And although the State Legislature may not act when they return to Albany next week, the Governor’s call to action is something to celebrate.

So while we urge state lawmakers to pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, they shouldn’t accept the Governor’s cuts to the Fund or fool around with the way money flows for environmental projects, another piece of the Governor’s latest budget plan.

Instead of cutting spending on environmental protection, New York should eliminate tax exemptions harmful to our natural resources. For example, bunker fuel, a dirty sludge used to power cargo ships, is exempt from the petroleum business tax. Burning this sludge is linked to a host of health problems including cancer, asthma, and decreased life expectancy due to heart and lung diseases.

But eliminating this tax exemption could bring in nearly $40 million in new state revenue and encourage cargo ships to burn cleaner fuels. What’s not to like? 

The Environmental Protection Fund supports projects that spark economic development, provide quality of life improvements that help attract new businesses, and protect our natural resources. These investments are yielding big dividends for New York and can be measured in terms of jobs created, acres of wilderness preserved, tons of waste diverted, and millions of dollars saved annually.

Instead of swinging the budget axe, New York should break out the scalpel and cut projects or policies that work against environmental goals like the bunker fuel tax exemption. Failure to invest in protecting our natural resources is the wrong choice for New York families, the economy and the state’s environment.

Climate Battle Bonanza  

Environmentalists won another significant battle in the fight against climate change. The EPA's Environmental Appeals Board recently ruled that the agency has the power to regulate carbon dioxide pollution from coal-fired power plants. The agency also ordered its Denver office to revisit its decision not to require pollution controls on a power plant expansion planned for the town of Bonanza, Utah.

This marks a big victory for everyone who cares about cutting power plant pollution.

Click here to keep reading or here.

One Last Thing before You Go

President Bush is on a mission to make environmental regulations more business-friendly before he leaves the White House and returns to Texas in January. The administration is working to enact as many as 90 new federal regulations, more than a few of which would weaken current rules designed to protect consumers and our natural resources. 

These new regulations could prove difficult for President-elect Barack Obama to undo. Some would ease or lift constraints on private industry, including power plants, mines and farms. We’re keeping our eyes peeled to track just what’s in store for environmental regulations. Click here to read more in the Washington Post.

An Inconvenient Truth & Beyond

Last week, Environmental Advocates of New York’s executive director Rob Moore participated in a special live multimedia presentation of An Inconvenient Truth followed by a panel discussion of environmental experts. Sponsored by Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Manhattan Community Board 7, New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman and Environmental Advocates, the panel focused on what actions New York State should take to tackle climate change in 2009. More than 500 New Yorkers attended the event. Click here to read more in USA Today.

And more from PolitickerNY.

Diesel Hearings

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding hearings on the implementation of the New York State Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2006. The regulations DEC is considering will help clean the air by requiring on- and off-road heavy duty diesel vehicles owned or under contract with the state to use ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, and be fitted with retrofit technologies by December 31, 2010. 

It’s important for New Yorkers to testify at these hearings and show support for cleaning up the air we breathe. Please join us at the hearing nearest you. 

Nov. 24, 2008: 1:00pm at DEC Annex, Region 2, 11-15 47th Ave., Hearing Rm. 106, Long Island City, NY.

Nov. 25, 2008; 1:00pm at DEC Reg. 8 Office, Conference Rm., 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, NY.

Nov. 26, 2008; 9:00am at DEC, 625 Broadway, Public Assembly Rm. 129, Albany, NY.

Questions? Please feel free to contact Mike Seilback with the American Lung Association of New York State at mseilback@alany.org or (631) 265-3848x16.