For Immediate Release: April 24, 2007

STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES AMBITIOUS EARTH DAY AGENDA

(Albany, NY)—Following on the heels of Earth Day, on Monday the New York State Assembly passed 16 pieces of legislation designed to address some of New York’s most pressing environmental challenges. The bills addressed issues dealing with climate change, protecting the state’s water resources, and preserving natural areas and historic resources.

“The New York State Assembly has shown tremendous leadership by acting on this ambitious agenda of legislation,” said Robert Moore, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York.  “We applaud their actions and congratulate Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and his colleagues for moving quickly to pass legislation that addresses the challenges New Yorkers are facing.”

Assemblyman Sweeney is the lead sponsor on most of the bills passed by his chamber today, and he is the Chair of the prestigious Environmental Conservation Committee. 

“Our health, and the health of our environment depends upon the government taking action. We need to undertake reforms that safeguard our air, water and land. The steps we take today will be important for future generations” said Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst).

The following bills were passed Monday as part of the Assembly’s Earth Day agenda.

*    Climate Change Solutions Act – Establishes the framework for guiding state spending on projects designed to decrease New York State’s contribution to climate change, particularly in the arenas of energy efficiency and clean energy generation.   

*    Climate Change Solutions Fund – Establishes a dedicated fund for supporting energy efficiency programs and incentives for clean energy generation in New York State.

*    Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act – Closes a loophole in the state’s wetlands law that prohibits the state from protecting wetlands less than 12.4 acres in size.

*    Community Preservation Act – Allows communities to voluntarily adopt a program that allows them to generate funding for land conservation, farmland protection, and historic preservation. 

*    Great Lakes Compact – Ratifies an eight-state agreement on how to best manage the Great Lakes, and large water withdrawals that have the potential to lower water levels in New York State. 

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Environmental Advocates of New York is your government watchdog, holding state lawmakers and agencies accountable for enacting and implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Founded almost 40 years ago as the Environmental Planning Lobby, Environmental Advocates has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The 501© (3) is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org.