NYLCV Releases 2007 "End of Session" Legislative Priorities for Gov. Spitzer and New York State Legislature

Seeking action on energy, funding and smart growth

To mark the occasion of the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in New York City, the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) has outlined the critical issues the governor and the New York State legislature must take by the end of the session (June 21, 2007) to assert its commitment to combating climate change here in New York State.

Together these actions embody a comprehensive climate action agenda; one that encourages economic development while preserving open space; that protects our climate and plans for our future energy needs, and safeguards our natural resources and the health of our citizens.

"The success of this legislative session will be measured by the governor's and legislature's commitment to addressing the climate change crisis faced here in New York State and the world," said Executive Director Marcia Bystryn. " The science is conclusive and the public is looking for government to take action. Now is the time for New York State take these bold steps and become a leader in the worldwide effort."

These following actions are part of NYLCV's Climate Action Agenda for New York State; a set of long-term goals with discrete actions the state should take to achieve sustainable economic development, environmental protection and a high quality of life for its residents.

Energy

• Renew the power plant siting law (Article X) with some key environmental improvements:
  
  • Incentives that lead to clean repowering, new technologies, negative emission facilities and renewable energy sources,
  • Protections for already over-burdened communities,
    
  • A process to prevent future groupings of power plants in communities that already have their fair share, and
  • A streamlined and effective public participation process.
    

• Build more green buildings by requiring all new construction and substantial renovation projects undertaken/funded by the state to comply with third party certification (i.e., LEED).

Funding

• Pass the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill, which bill expands the definition of "beverage" to include non-carbonated drinks (other than milk and liquor), and to direct the unclaimed deposit money derived from that program to the Environmental Protection Fund, and

• Increase the Environmental Protection Fundfrom $250 million to $300 million over the next two years.

Smart Growth

• Ensure local economic development promotes smart growth and energy efficiency by reforming the Industrial Development Agencies,

• Encourage more private developers to voluntarily clean up polluted sites by reforming the Brownfields Cleanup Program and the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program (BOA),

• End years of pollution, high cost, and environmental injustice to low-income communities by allowing NYC to go forward an important paper recycling component of its Solid Waste Management Plan,

• Allow local communities to raise funds to preserve open land, working farms or historic properties,

• Encourage the rehabilitation of historic commercial and residential properties by expanding an existing tax credit, and

• Help New York City become a model of sustainability by allowing the city to undertake a number of actions regarding transportation policy, energy policy and brownfields as put forward by Mayor Bloomberg in his PLANYC proposal.