March 17, 2008

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

Day One? Take Two.

Today Governor David Paterson takes the reins of state government following the shocking revelations last week that Governor Eliot Spitzer was implicated as a client of a New Jersey-based prostitution ring.

This political earthquake continues to reverberate in the State Capital. Later today, Monday, March 17, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, former minority leader of the New York State Senate, will become the 55th Governor of the State of New York. He’ll be making history as our first African American and legally blind Governor.

Governor Spitzer's resignation last week helped the state to avoid what could have been a particularly ugly and protracted distraction for lawmakers from the business of the 2008 Legislative Session. 

And while it’s likely that some of Spitzer’s top advisers will depart with him (a few have already left Albany), the agenda fashioned during his first 18 months in office will likely stay intact, for now. But Governor Spitzer's resignation will cast a long shadow over upcoming state budget negotiations. And even the most seasoned political observers are scratching their heads and wondering what happens next.

That being said, Environmental Advocates of New York looks forward to working with soon-to-be Governor David Paterson. Over the years, David Paterson has been a vocal supporter of measures to protect the quality of our air, land and water. He has served as the leader of the state’s Renewable Energy Task Force since last year. And as minority leader and as a member of the State Senate, Paterson encouraged his conference to make the environment and clean energy priorities.

We’ll keep you posted.

Something In The Water

You probably read the Associated Press report about pharmaceuticals in the country’s drinking water supplies (New York City was not among those tested). However, the story about water that you may have missed, is that New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released (without much fanfare) its assessment of the state’s sewage infrastructure needs.

We’ll put it this way—it’s a big number—$36.2 Billion over the next 20 years. That’s almost twice as much as the E.P.A. estimated last year. This is bad news in light of belt tightening in the State Capital, the predicted recession and disappearing federal funds for sewage infrastructure projects, especially as the health of the state’s sewage infrastructure is so closely tied to the health of our water supplies.

The report also points out that federal support for these types of sewage-system improvements has declined in recent years, and that the lack of funding contributes to the maintenance backlog. It’s clear to Environmental Advocates of New York that the state’s environmental agency cannot meet this huge need without leadership from our congressional delegation down in D.C. 

Click here to see the complete report: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/42383.html

Brownfield Opportunities  

Back on March 7^th, Governor Spitzer and state lawmakers agreed to release an additional $7.25 million—stuck in limbo for years—for 50 applications for monies under the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program. This means that the State Legislature and the Governor must come to agreement on how and when to release the remaining $7 million or so that is available for cleanup projects down the road.

Communities across New York State can use these funds to create their own plans to reuse local contaminated properties. The Brownfield Opportunity Area Program was created in 2003 to help revitalize communities with contaminated properties.

Bills On the Move

Every week during the Legislative Session, Environmental Advocates of New York looks at the measures that will impact the environment for good or ill. Here are this week's Bills on the Move.  

Three trees for Healthy Green Procurement. This bill, known as the New York State Healthy and Green Procurement Act, would amend state law to establish protocols for the purchase of services, commodities, and technologies by state agencies. The bill’s goal is to minimize adverse impacts on the environment and public health.

Click here to learn more about these measures.