END OF SESSION WRAP UP
The 2010 New York State Legislative Session is largely over, although some action on the state budget remains, including possible overrides of the Governor’s line-item vetoes, (more than 6,700 to be exact, read more here) the State Assembly has gone home and the Senate may be back next week to pass the final piece of the budget—the revenue bill—for New York.
But as long as we have a week to take a deep breath and reflect on the session, we wanted to make sure you knew what happened since the legislature convened, way back in January, and what still might get done between now and November, when every elected state official will be up for re-election.
There were some big pieces of unfinished business last week, which we hope will be taken up when the legislature comes back to town:
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Time out on natural gas drilling. Among the top priorities for the environmental community this year was to slow the rush for natural gas drilling in New York State. Both houses failed to take up legislation that would call a “time out” on gas drilling, allowing the public, the legislature, and the state’s environmental agencies time to put in place a more rigorous regulatory program, complete with a fully staffed office of regulators. Read more here.
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Water Conservation & Regulation: This bill would require the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish a water conservation and efficiency program and a permitting program that would require those with the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of water per day from ground and surface resources to first obtain a permit. The bill passed the Senate on the final day of session and awaits action in the Assembly.
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Global Warming Pollution Control Act: A 2010 Super Bill, this legislation would set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets at 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050 and calls for the state to create a plan for how to adapt to the anticipated effects of climate change. The State Assembly passed this bill as part of their Earth Day package and the measure awaits action in the Senate, despite having 30 Senators sponsoring the legislation. Click here to read more.
Despite the cloud of bad news that seemed to hang over the State Capitol all session, there were a lot of things that did get done this year. Among the environmental victories of the 2010 New York State Legislative Session are:
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The Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling Act: A 2010 Super Bill, this legislation would remove tons of toxic e-waste from New York’s landfills by requiring electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle their products. State lawmakers passed the Act as part of the budget package in May. Click here to read our memo.
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Updating Heating Oil Standards: This bill requires residences, commercial industry and businesses to use ultra-low sulfur heating oil beginning January 1, 2012. The Senate and the Assembly passed this bill in June. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature. Click here to read our memo.
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Smart Growth Infrastructure Policy Act: This bill makes sure state infrastructure funding is targeted to projects that meet specific “smart growth” criteria. Support for the measure was overwhelming in both houses of the legislature. This awaits signature from the Governor. Click here to read our memo.
As we said, there was plenty of bad news to go around this year in the State Capitol. Among 2010’s lowlights:
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Pitting State Parks against Environmental Funding: New York's dedicated funding source for more than 30 environmental programs, the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), received $134 million for the 2010-11 state fiscal year, a 37 percent cut from last year’s funding level and one of the lowest levels of funding in a decade. This disproportionately large cut comes on top of the nearly $500 million that has been swept from the EPF in recent years, which has created a significant backlog of unfunded projects, straining organizations, municipalities and others partnering with the state on environmental programs. Although State Parks opened for Memorial Day weekend, it was a bittersweet victory, as it came at the expense of other environmental programs, including the EPF, and state agencies such as the Department of Environmental Conservation. Click here to read more. And here, and here.
As always, stay tuned to www.eany.org and we’ll keep you posted as events unfold!
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.
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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.
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