Top Environmental Advocate Responds to the End of the 2018 Legislative Session

June 21, 2018

Top Environmental Advocate Responds to the End of the 2018 Legislative Session

Albany – Peter M. Iwanowicz, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY, released the following statement today in response to the end of the 2018 Legislative Session:

“With a federal government turned hostile toward the environment, the nation needs New York to be a true leader on issues like fighting climate change and protecting our air and water now more than ever. 
 
This year, many members of the Legislature took this calling to heart and worked hard to pass landmark legislation like the Climate and Community Protection Act and Environmental Bill of Rights. Both of these bills received bi-partisan votes in the Assembly, and the Climate and Community Protection Act even has a majority of Senators—both Republicans and Democrats—co-sponsoring the bill. Unfortunately, Senate leadership continues to be wedded to the same ideology of the Trump administration and has stopped this legislation cold.
 
Despite the Senate leadership’s obstruction, Legislators found a pathway forward—passing a few beneficial bills like a statewide drug take-back program to keep pharmaceuticals out of our water. While this bill will improve our waters, bigger, bolder actions fell by the wayside. New Yorkers suffering from the impacts of climate change, poisoned waters, and poor air quality need, and will likely demand, more from their leaders.”

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