Capitol Insider: All the Enviro-news that's fit to share: The [Green] Capitol Insider

NYS LEGISLATURE SWALLOWS POISON PARKS BILL

Last week, Governor Paterson backed the New York State Legislature into a corner. In a move to correct his own errors in underfunding the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in his budget proposal earlier this year, the Governor forced a vote on his proposal to provide money to open state parks at the expense of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

The State Legislature buckled under tremendous political pressure and a deal was done by the beginning of Memorial Day weekend. The State Assembly passed the bill by 80 to 47 and the next day, the bill passed the Senate 32-27.

The agreement made approximately $11 million available to allow parks to open for the weekend, but slashes the 2010-11 State Fiscal Year appropriation for the EPF to $134 million, a cut of 37 percent from last year’s funding level of $212 million, and one of the lowest levels of funding in more than a decade. While all categories of the EPF were funded, and the integrity of the EPF was protected by removing the Governor’s proposal to use the EPF to support state agency operating costs, this piecemeal approach to budgeting makes little sense.

This disproportionately large cut comes on top of the nearly $500 million that has been swept from the Fund in recent years, threatening its solvency and creating a significant backlog of unfunded projects, straining organizations, municipalities and others partnering with the state on environmental programs.

On the other hand, the final package included good news for New York’s environment. The bill that passed both houses, and was signed by the Governor, included a long-sought after program to deal with electronic waste. The new e-waste bill will require product manufacturers to be responsible safe disposal and recycling of electronic equipment, including televisions, computer monitors, computers, keyboards, mice, printers and cables, as well as allow for free e-waste recycling for a wide range of consumers, and create strong collection standards for businesses.

As the rest of the budget is negotiated, Environmental Advocates, along with other organizations, will urge the Legislature to revisit the EPF and create a repayment plan for the nearly half a billion dollars that has been taken in recent years for non-environmental purposes. Such a plan is necessary to enable the State to address the large backlog of conservation and restoration projects. A repayment plan is essential for the State to protect the clean air, water, and land that benefit all New Yorkers.

Listen here. Read more here.

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GASLAND

The issue of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling (“fracking”) for natural gas is center stage on the minds of New Yorkers across the state. And thanks to the recipient of this year’s Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize, “GASLAND,” the issue is gaining attention nation-wide.

You can help spread the word and generate momentum for stronger protections against the dangers of industrial drilling by hosting a house party for the GASLAND premier on HBO at 9 pm on Monday, June 21, 2010.

Fracking involves the injection of millions of gallons of water mixed with a toxic cocktail of chemicals into shale deposits deep underground. But industrial gas drilling could cause severe and lasting damage to New York’s underground water supplies. GASLAND is a poignant view of what happens when drinking water is ruined by industrial gas drilling.

We’re helping to coordinate house parties to spread the word and build support for comprehensive legislation on fracking in the New York State Legislature this year. It is critical that we inform as many people as possible about the real effects of fracking on the lives of everyday citizens, and this is your opportunity to start this conversation in your community.

We’re hoping to encourage our friends and neighbors to coordinate GASLAND viewings at their homes, libraries, schools and community centers to help spread the word about the dangers of natural gas drilling.

If you would like to host a gathering to view GASLAND on the evening of the HBO premier, Environmental Advocates of New York is here to help. We will provide you with suggested discussion questions, FAQs about natural gas drilling in New York, and some ways you and your friends can make a difference on this important issue.

Please call Marcy Stengel at 518-462-5526 for more information on how to get involved.

With the health and safety of millions of New Yorkers on the line, we’re hard at work to ensure that our voices are louder than the voices of the deep-pocketed drilling companies. We thank you for your ongoing support—we couldn’t do this work without you.

For more information about the film, click here.

GAME ON: ANDREW CUOMO JOINS RACE FOR GOV

After weeks of rumors, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo officially tossed his hat into the gubernatorial race for 2010 last week. In his race for Governor, he has published a few details in his playbook for our air, land and water as well.

We’re glad to see the Attorney General has identified protecting New York form the dangers of natural gas drilling as a priority. And we’ll be looking for the next New York Governor to put forward a strong proposal along these lines.

As Governor, Cuomo has identified the following priorities for New York’s environment:

Making sure health and environmental risks are comprehensively studied before natural gas exploration in New York’s Marcellus Shale formation occurs;
Ensuring that, as the State’s fiscal position improves the Environmental Protection Fund will again be used only for the purpose for which it was created;
Ordering greater focus on environmental justice to identify adverse human health effects on racial and ethnic minority and low-income populations and to develop strategies to eliminate practices, which have a disproportionate impact on such groups; and,
Pushing to find alternative sources of energy generation; including accelerating efforts to achieve energy efficiency and expanded sources of renewable energy, supporting a solar energy industry and maximizing Green Jobs.

We’re looking forward to hearing more about Cuomo’s plan for protecting our air, land and water and will keep you posted as we find out more.

NATURAL GAS DRILLING MOBILE ACTION

Environmental Advocates of New York has partnered with Mobile Commons to integrate our action alerts with SMS text messages. Text FRACNO to 69866 and stay up-to-date on statewide efforts to enact measures that will safeguard our air, water and communities from the dangers of natural gas drilling in New York.

You can also sign up through our homepage, or via Facebook.

We'll alert you at key moments with the critical information you need to contact top decision-makers during the fight to protect New York from the threats of natural gas drilling.

What will you get when you join?

1. Action Alerts to contact your lawmakers about important drilling legislation.

2. Opportunities to contact candidates running for statewide office and a chance to tell them to take a strong stand for our waters and communities.

3. Updates on natural gas drilling events in New York.

Join the fight! Get in contact with your lawmakers when it matters most.

BILLS ON THE MOVE

It’s that time again! Every week during the Legislative Session, Environmental Advocates of New York looks at the measures that will impact the environment for good or ill.

Two smokestacks for Jamestown Dirty Coal Plant Tax Credit - This legislation makes the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities eligible for the qualified Empire Zone Enterprise Tax Credit which would subsidize the construction of an unnecessary coal-fired power plant.

Two trees for TV Efficiency - This bill would establish energy efficiency standards for televisions. It would impose watt usage limits on televisions manufactured starting in 2011. For example, a 42 inch screen television would be required to consume 183 watts or less by 2011 and 115 watts or less by 2013, as opposed to the almost 300 watts a television could currently use.

Three trees for Child Safe Products - This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to better regulate use of toxic chemicals in children’s products and requires the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to define chemicals of high concern and publish a list of those chemicals. It also requires disclosure by children’s product manufacturers as to whether their products contain priority chemicals, and provides the DEC with the authority to evaluate and authorize safer substitutes and chemical alternatives. This bill also grants the DEC authority to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of a children’s product containing a chemical of high concern.

Two trees for precautionary Principle - This bill establishes the New York State Health Protection Act. The measure would make it state policy to take precautionary measures to protect public health and the environment. It would further make a lack of full scientific certainty insufficient cause to postpone precautionary action to protect public health on the part of state or local governments.

Two trees for Power Solutions Program - This bill extends New York’s Power for Jobs program until June 30, 2011 and creates the Power Solutions Program. Under the Power Solutions Program energy efficiency and energy audits are criteria upon which potential recipients of subsidized low-cost power will be evaluated for their eligibility for the program.

Two trees for EPF Repayment - This bill would require that the New York State Division of the Budget (DOB) and the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) transfer funds from the General Fund to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) if funds are insufficient to cover current and prior year obligations.

Click here to learn more about these measures and what each will do to help or hurt New York’s natural resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES OF NEW YORK IS A MEMBER OF EARTH SHARE OF NEW YORK

Environmental Advocates is a member of EarthShare, a federation of the nation’s most respected environmental charities. To find out more about how and your workplace can support Environmental Advocates through an EarthShare campaign, please call us at 518.462.5526, or visit www.earthshare.org. To donate through EarthShare, designate your donation to Environmental Advocates of New York, CFC #97425.