January 11, 2010

Welcome to Environmental Advocates of New York’s online newsletter from the State Capital, your source for environmental news. We update you every other week with insider news and observations carefully gleaned from the halls of the Capitol.

2010 GREEN TO-DO LIST

This week, Environmental Advocates of New York released our legislative priorities for 2010. Our to-do list includes legislation and actions designed to protect the state’s environment and our quality of life. You’ll recognize some of this year’s top tier issues, but some are new.  

Climate change: The Global Warming Pollution Control Act would direct New York State to reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions statewide 80 percent by the year 2050.

Environmental agency resources: We want the State to maintain staff at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), especially in light of budget cuts and the state agency-wide hiring freeze. Environmental Advocates has brought to light how staff shortages have crippled the agency’s ability to enforce our environmental laws. Now, with state leaders trying to fast-track natural gas drilling and “fracking,” in the Southern Tier and Catskills, these staff shortages will undermine New York’s ability to regulate a potentially dangerous industry.

Parks resources: with budget cuts looming, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is facing tough times. They’ve been hit just as hard as the DEC and further cuts will mean closure of state parks. 

Environmental Protection Fund: We’re working to make sure that New York’s Environmental Protection Fund remains solvent and protected from sweeps to plug the State’s budget hole. Defending the Fund is critical to the health and safety of all New Yorkers. Click here to ask the Governor to protect New York’s environmental trust fund before he releases his budget proposal later this month.

Brownfields: Environmental Advocates of New York also wants tax credits from the Brownfield Cleanup Program to revitalize properties and guarantee comprehensive and thorough clean-up, rather than provide large subsidies for developers that don’t deserve them.

Protecting New York from Dangers Associated with Natural Gas Drilling: Natural gas exploration in New York’s Marcellus Shale formation has raised questions about the environmental impacts of new drilling practices. Legislation is needed to protect New York’s air, land and water. Components of such legislation would include: expanding the State’s authority to regulate ground or surface water withdrawals; requiring the agency to promulgate regulations that govern drilling; excluding certain zones from drilling, such as environmentally significant habitats and resources; allowing citizens the right to enforce natural gas drilling laws; and providing the DEC with the necessary staff and resources to adequately protect New Yorkers from drilling hazards.

Now that the New York State Legislative Session has officially begun, bills will start to trickle out of committee in the Assembly and Senate. To keep an eye on what bills are introduced and what we think of them, visit http://www.eany.org/capitolwatch/billratings.html in the weeks and months ahead.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH: NEW YORK'S DRAFT NATURAL GAS DRILLING GUIDE

The public comment period on draft regulations to guide natural gas drilling in New York State closed on December 31^st. Environmental Advocates, along with the Atlantic States Legal Foundation and National Wildlife Federation, filed our comments with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Click here to read our comments. http://www.eany.org/issues/dGEIScomments12312009.pdf  

In other parts of the country, a natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” has poisoned wells and landscapes. We can’t let that happen here.

Environmental Advocates thinks the draft guide is weak and won’t protect New York’s environment, especially our drinking water. Other folks, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, the New York City Council and tens of thousands of New Yorkers, as well as countless environmental groups, agree.

Here’s what we don’t like about the DEC’s draft drilling guide:

• It doesn’t limit the use of toxic chemicals in the drilling process;

• It doesn’t protect streams, rivers, and groundwater from the large water
  withdrawals associated with drilling;

• It doesn’t include a cumulative impact assessment to protect our communities from the large-scale impacts of drilling; and

• It doesn’t provide for “no-drill zones” or processes for declaring sensitive areas unsuitable for drilling.

Last but not least, New York State does not have the staff to oversee natural gas drilling, not by a long shot.

Click here to learn more about natural gas drilling in New York.

Read more here and here.

IN HONOR OF BARNABAS MCHENRY

The Open Space Institute, in honor of Barnabas McHenry, gives a $5000 annual award to three young leaders working in collaboration with non-profit organizations to pursue projects in environmental conservation, historic preservation or the arts in the Hudson Valley. Click here for more information about the award:
http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Resources_McHenry_Awards#nomination

Any not-for-profit organization working in the Hudson Valley region is eligible to nominate a student for this award. We strongly encourage organizations to seek out talented and motivated students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Please note that the deadline for completed applications is February 12th, 2010.

THE STATE OF THINGS

On Wednesday, January 6, Governor David Paterson gave the annual State of the State address to the New York State Legislature. His tippy top concerns? Ethics reform and fiscal responsibility.

The Governor’s remarks were brief. But much like last year’s State of the State, the Gov voiced support for clean energy and efficiency as a way to bolster New York’s economy and create some new green jobs. Other than that, not much to report. Click here to read our press statement.

The Governor’s budget proposal will be out in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

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

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT @GREENWATCHDOGNY


FIND US ON FACEBOOK