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New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation
PRESS RELEASE
January 9, 2008
GREEN RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE
Environmental Watchdog Highlights Governor's Attention to Clean Energy & Efficiency, Urges Caution on Staffing
(ALBANY, NY) – In Governor Eliot Spitzer’s 2008 State of the State address, the Governor reiterated his commitment to increasing New York State’s investment in energy efficiency and to fixing state laws that hamper the growth of New York’s clean energy industry. As the state’s environmental watchdog, Environmental Advocates of New York also calls on the Governor to maintain staff levels at the state’s environmental agency in light of projected budget deficits.
Energy Efficiency
In his remarks today, Governor Spitzer reiterated his
commitment to “15 by 15,” his 2007 initiative to reduce
energy use 15 percent by 2015 as part of a plan to address
the threats of climate change.
“Governor Spitzer’s ‘15 by 15’ initiative to cut New York’s
energy use will help protect our natural resources and help
to address the negative environmental impacts associated
with global warming,” said Robert Moore, executive director
of Environmental Advocates of New York. “While ‘15 by 15’ is
an important step, we look forward to working with the
Governor and state lawmakers to take further actions to
reduce climate-altering pollution from all sources.”
Net Metering
Environmental Advocates of New York is encouraged by the
Governor’s support of amending state law to encourage the
development of solar energy systems in New York State by
easing restrictions on net metering, the practice of
crediting consumers for the power they generate. The
initiative to fix the state’s net metering policy, advanced
by the State Legislature and poised for passage this year,
would go a long way toward unleashing the economic
development potential of the growing clean energy industry
in New York.
Smart Metering
Environmental Advocates is also encouraged by Governor
Spitzer’s call to reduce New Yorkers’ energy bills by means
of smart metering, the practice which gives consumers the
know how to run their appliances during off-peak hours.
Agency Staffing
Despite the Governor’s comments on the hard budget
choices ahead, Environmental Advocates of New York calls on
Governor Spitzer to maintain staff levels at the state’s
environmental agencies as the agencies have little or no
room for belt-tightening. The previous administration’s
staff cuts continue to jeopardize our natural resources and
public health.
Environmental Advocates has long supported staff increases
at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and
has documented the significant negative environmental
impacts of staff cuts in two Endangered Agency
reports. The reports highlight how staff cuts endanger New
Yorkers, especially when such cuts have resulted in
infrequent review of water pollution permits and dams across
the state.
Any staff cuts at the DEC to produce short-term budget
relief do not reconcile with the long-term needs of New
Yorkers and the health of New York’s environment.
Environmental Advocates looks forward to a productive Legislative session.
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