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the [green] capitol insider
Governor Andrew Cuomo released his first budget proposal last week and for the most part environmental groups are encouraged by what we see. While state agencies responsible for implementing environmental law—the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation—took another hit, other aspects of funding for environmental programs were spared the budget axe. For now, there are no planned staff cuts at the state’s environmental agencies. But that could change as the Governor and public employee unions negotiate new agreements. Notably, the Governor did not follow in his predecessor’s missteps. He made no move to raid the state’s investments in clean energy and efficiency, monies that will reduce climate-altering pollution and save consumers money on their utility bills. It appears that our new Governor and his team are on board with using these resources as intended, which is great. Last but not least, Governor Cuomo has kept steady at $134 million the Environmental Protection Fund, showing his recognition that investments in the health of our air, land and water are investments in New York’s future that will generate big returns. You may remember that the Fund supports everything from recycling to waterfront revitalization, farm preservation and land conservation, as well as parks and zoos, in every county in New York State. Visit www.KeepProtectingNY.org to learn more about the Environmental Protection Fund. During the campaign and since he’s moved to Albany, Environmental Advocates and many of our allies have shared with the Governor our concerns about the state of New York’s environmental agencies and funding streams. We are pleased that our message got through. That being said, the budget isn’t final. We now look forward to working with leaders in the State Senate and Assembly to safeguard resources earmarked to protect our shared environment and the health of our families. Click here to read more http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/a-few-sighs-of-relief-over-cuomos-budget/ And here http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Budget-plan-spreads-pain-990921.php BROWNFIELD CLEANUP INCENTIVES MISS THE MARK Speaking of the budget, here’s another measure that the New York State Legislature should look at that could save quite of bit of green. Environmental Advocates of New York released our own in-depth analysis of tax credits doled out to developers under the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Established in 2003 to encourage the clean up of contaminated areas blighted by former industrial sites, the program was meant to stimulate economic development in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, while making these communities healthier and safer. But $365 million later, according to our investigation, that’s not where the money’s going. Environmental Advocates’ review of Department of Environmental Conservation records of remediated brownfield sites, as well as records from the state Department of Taxation & Finance, revealed that developers claimed nearly $365 million in tax credits to clean up brownfield sites during 2008 and 2009. But these tax credits are not encouraging cleanups in predominately African American or Latino neighborhoods, or in areas with high rates of unemployment or families living in poverty. So while state leaders are busy looking under the couch cushions for loose change, taxpayers are lining the pockets of real estate developers with hundreds of millions of dollars in the form of tax incentives that are missing the mark. We think that targeting these incentives to bolster struggling city neighborhoods would guarantee taxpayers get a better bang for the buck. According to Environmental Advocates’ research:
Despite the fact that the state’s 2010 budget defers payments on brownfield tax credits in excess of $2 million until after 2013, the bill will eventually come due. A brownfield is an abandoned or underused piece of land where redevelopment is complicated by environmental contamination. Brownfields blight communities and pose both health threats and obstacles to economic redevelopment. Unused urban land is a fiscal burden because it is unproductive in terms of job creation, revenue generation, or contribution to the tax base. CUT THROUGH THE ALPHABET SOUP We know how much state government loves acronyms: LOB, PSC, DEC,RGGI just for starters, so Environmental Advocates of New York is creating a glossary of terms to help our members cut through the alphabet soup. We want to know which acronyms or terms confuse you, because we're all for transparency! The glossary will be available in late February, so please send in your suggestions today. Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your most (and least) favorite acronyms.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING It’s Oscar Season! And because the groundbreaking documenting Gasland has been nominated as Best Documentary Film, we’re encouraging everyone to see it before the awards ceremony in March. Click here to order your copy today: http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/ Gasland tells the story of Josh Fox, a Pennsylvania homeowner, who when asked to lease his land for natural gas drilling, “embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination.” If you’re interested in learning about the real-live impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” for natural gas, watch Gasland or visit www.CleanWaterNotDirtyDrilling.org. |
Environmental Advocates of New York – 353 Hamilton St., Albany, NY 12210 – 518.462.5526 – WWW.EANY.ORG