Former Assemblymember Barbara Lifton and Former State Senator Jen Metzger Join Environmental Advocates NY’s Board of Directors

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2022

Albany – Environmental Advocates NY announced today that both former Assemblymember Barbara Lifton and former State Senator Jen Metzger have joined its Board of Directors.

Lifton served 18 years in the New York State Assembly, representing Tompkins and parts of Cortland County, was Chair of the Assembly Steering Committee, and sat on the Environmental Conservation Committee. She was one of the chief architects of New York’s ban on High Volume Hydrofracking, as well as one of the leaders in drafting New York’s premier climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

Former Senator Jen Metzger, PhD, is Senior Policy Advisor to New Yorkers for Clean Power and also serves on the five-member New York State Cannabis Control Board. During her time in the Senate, she was a leading voice for action to tackle climate change, and an active member of the Senate Working Group on the CLCPA. She sponsored a number of bills to protect the environment and accelerate the shift to a clean energy economy, including a statutory ban on fracking (passed as part of the 2020 Budget), and legislation to prohibit new fossil fuel infrastructure, expand electrification of transportation, and reduce single-use plastics.

Environmental Advocates NY is the leading New York non-profit fighting for a safe climate, clean water, and healthier communities for all.

“I am excited to join the Board of Directors at Environmental Advocates NY because they have truly set the model for success – connect and empower stakeholders, provide expertise, build political power, and execute policy that protects our environment,” said Barbara Lifton.

“There was no better way to continue my environmental advocacy than linking up with EANY. They have been the gold standard in New York for so long, I was thrilled to join the Board,” said Jen Metzger

“We are honored to have Barbara and Jen join our Board,” said John Buttrick, Chair of Environmental Advocates NY Board of Directors. “Their vast experience with state government coupled with deep commitments for protecting our environment will help guide EANY to be more successful in its mission to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”

About Environmental Advocates NY

Since its formation in 1969, Environmental Advocates NY (EANY) has been championing environmental policies that have improved health, enhanced the quality of New York’s natural resources, and saved lives.

EANY addresses the many environmental issues facing New York State and beyond, with a focus on:

Climate and Energy: 

EANY is at the forefront of taking action to fight climate change and advocating for transportation and energy policies that transition our economy off fossil fuels. An important cornerstone of our climate work is to fight for climate justice and policies that will include those most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Clean Water: 

Our clean water program embraces a comprehensive and integrated approach in protecting water from source to tap. We are deeply committed to advocating for policies that restore and protect our water systems; so New Yorkers know what’s in their water; and ensure that significant investments are made to water testing for dangerous toxics, and the repair, upgrade, and replacement of our state’s crumbling water infrastructure.

Healthy Communities:

EANY’S commitment to Healthy Communities is grounded in the idea that every New Yorker should live in clean, healthy, and vibrant spaces. Now that all New Yorkers have a constitutional right to a safe environment, we will work to ensure our communities, especially disadvantaged ones, no longer face exposure to toxic chemicals through myriad pathways and experience the greatest burden of our aging infrastructure, addiction to fossil fuels, and a mounting solid waste and plastic pollution crisis.

About Barbara Lifton

Barbara Lifton retired in 2020 after serving 18 years in the New York State Assembly, representing Tompkins and parts of Cortland County. Lifton was Chair of the Assembly Steering Committee and sat on the Agriculture, Education, Election Law, Environmental Conservation and Higher Education Committees. Her most significant legislative achievements include leading on voting reforms and new voting machines, allowing the continuation of midwife assisted home births, and the ban on High Volume Hydrofracking. Barbara resides in Ithaca and has two children and four grandchildren.

About Jen Metzger

Jen Metzger, PhD, is Senior Policy Advisor to New Yorkers for Clean Power and a former NYS State Senator. She also serves on the five-member NYS Cannabis Control Board. Prior to her election to the State Senate, Jen served for over a decade in local government in the Town of Rosendale, where she led numerous town-level climate and environmental initiatives, as well as the successful fight to stop the Pilgrim fracked crude oil pipeline. She also co-founded and directed Citizens for Local Power, an organization dedicated to fighting unfair utility practices and helping communities shift to an equitable, locally-based clean energy economy. Jen has a PhD in political science from Rutgers University, and a BA with High Honors in government from Oberlin College. She lives in Rosendale, in Ulster County, and she and her husband, John, have three sons, Gideon, Jasper, and Silas.

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