PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2007

RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR SPITZER'S FIRST 'STATE OF THE STATE' ADDRESS

Environmental Advocates of New York Notes Attention to Global Warming, Energy Efficiency & Smart Growth

(ALBANY, NY)—Environmental Advocates of New York congratulates Governor Eliot Spitzer on his inaugural State of the State address. The Governor’s first State of the State address stayed true to the strong environmental message he communicated throughout the gubernatorial campaign with regard to the importance of addressing the threats of climate change, protecting the health of New York’s air and water by increasing staff at the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, bringing an end to the status quo that has held up the environmental community’s common-sense priority Super Bills in the State Senate, and recognizing the role that support for clean, renewable energy technologies can play in what he termed as the state’s “Innovation Economy.”  

One New York
In his address, Governor Spitzer recognized the impact of clean air and clean water when it comes to the health of New York’s children. Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports his plan to increase staff at the Department of Environmental Conservation.  Environmental Advocates has long supported staff increases at the agency, and has documented the negative environmental impacts of staff cuts in two Endangered Agency reports. The reports highlight how staff cuts endanger New Yorkers especially when such cuts result in less frequent review of water pollution permits and dams across the state.

Building on the “One New York” theme, the Governor tied the state’s investments in infrastructure such as housing and transportation with the health of the environment. Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports incorporating “smart growth” principles which preserve our environmental heritage while also improving the quality of life of all New Yorkers.

Climate Change 
Governor Spitzer’s address highlighted the importance of continued support for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the country’s first plan to cut emissions from power plants. Environmental Advocates of New York would like to see the state’s role in this initiative expanded to include sources in addition to power plants, such as aluminum smelters and other heavy industries.

Innovation Economy    
“Governor Spitzer rightly called attention to the importance of ensuring New York takes a leading role in what he termed the ‘Innovation Economy.’ By helping the State to meet its goal of increasing the amount of energy produced by renewable sources, such as wind and solar, to 25 percent by 2013, we can create desperately needed new jobs in Upstate economies. Reports from State Comptroller Alan Hevesi stated that New York’s clean energy goals, also known as the Renewable Portfolio Standard, could create 43,000 new jobs in the manufacturing and energy industries. And advancing renewable energy will also diversify our energy mix and drive down the price of fossil fuels, resulting in a cleaner environment and more affordable energy for consumers. In addition to developing cleaner fuels, wind power could provide safe, pollution-free power to 2.5 million homes in New York,” said Robert Moore, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York.

An End to Status Quo in Albany
The Governor also called attention to bringing an end to the ‘status quo’ in Albany and the need to bring reform to state agencies and the legislature. Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports ending the status quo of partisan politics in the State Capital, which we believe has prevented the environmental community’s priority Super Bills from receiving a fair up or down vote on the Senate floor for two years in a row, despite strong bipartisan support.

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Environmental Advocates of New York is the state’s government watchdog, holding lawmakers and agencies accountable for implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Environmental Advocates works alone and in coalitions, and has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The 501(c)(3) is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org.