EPL/Environmental Advocates Releases Annual Voters' Guide

(Albany, N.Y.) – Evaluating a legislative session that began with hope, degenerated into distrust and finally had to address tragedy, EPL/Environmental Advocates today released its annual Voters' Guide: An Insider's Guide to the Environmental Record of New York State's Legislature and Governor. The Guide scores lawmakers on their environmental voting records and analyzes the successes and failures of each year's session.

Despite some important successes and many disappointing failures, the tragic Sept. 11th attacks on the World Trade Center obviously marked the end of any attempt at a normal year in Albany. EPL/Environmental Advocates notes that nine pieces of legislation impacting the environment had passed both the Senate and Assembly before this week's session. Several of these, including an important public health bill to reform the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) (A.1644/S.3341), the Dark Skies bill to reduce nightime light pollution and save energy (A.5352a/S.3386b), and a bill to fast-track the siting of power plants that meet stringent environmental standards (A.8952/S.5443), highlighted the session. The SPARCS bill was signed into law by Gov. George Pataki in early September. The power plant bill – reforming Article X of the state Public Service Law – was signed by the Governor in late August, and was just amended this week to include minimum water withdrawals (A9425/S.5778). The Dark Skies bill, however, still awaits Pataki's signature. EPL/Environmental Advocates urges the Governor to sign the legislation, which will reduce energy consumption in New York through regulation of permanent outdoor lighting.

Only one bill opposed by EPL/Environmental Advocates passed both houses of the Legislature. It authorizes New York's membership in the Interstate Pest Control Compact (A.8596/S.3546), which could lead to state funds being used for pest management efforts that rely on chemical methods of pest control and ill-considered goals of pest "eradication." The organization urges the Governor to veto this bill.

"This has been an overwhelmingly sad season for all New Yorkers," said EPL/Environmental Advocates Executive Director Val Washington, "and the environmental community is rallying to help rebuild and to find opportunities to create hopes and protect our future. We believe that continuing to move forward with the state's environmental agenda is an important part of that process and so we are calling on the Governor to appropriate at least $150 million from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) account. It is our sincere belief that New Yorkers continue to value a clean environment and a strong natural heritage as priorities. These values have been largely achieved through the EPF since it was established in 1993."

The EPF is a dedicated fund that draws from several sources including the real estate transfer tax and the sale of open space license plates. There is more than enough money in the account to fund projects that were agreed on earlier in the year by the Governor and the Legislature. For the first time since 1993, New York is without funds to purchase wild forest lands from willing sellers. For many New Yorkers, the state's wilderness and public parks have been an important place for gathering with family and friends, and renewing our spirits in these troubled times. Many other important programs, from waterfront redevelopment to landfill closure to recycling depend on the EPF and must not be abandoned.