CCE works to advance legislation that will protect our natural environment and public health, while working to oppose legislation that will have an adverse impact on our shared environment. The New York State Legislative Session occupies the first six months of each year (January to June), although, as events arise, it can be extended into July, August, or later. Below is a list of proposed legislation that CCE will be working to advance in the 2009 New York State Legislative Session.
Summary of CCE’s 2009 legislative/issue priorities
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS:
Give the Public Control Over LIPA Rate Increases
Since 2001, Long Island Power Authority has implemented rate increases of over 34% and has never been required to go before the Public Service Commission (PSC) for an independent review nor any other independent review process. Under this new bill, the PSC would review the proposed rate increases, hold a public hearing, and then rule if these increases are warranted. A comprehensive review of rate increases by the Public Service Commission is necessary in protecting the Long Island ratepayers and will provide the same level of checks and balances afforded to other communities around NY.
CCE’s memo in support of fixing the way LIPA implements rate increases
Consolidate Local Government Entities
There are currently more than 10,500 local governmental entities, including special water, sewer, and sanitary districts, in New York. Many of them are exerting duplicate efforts, resulting in wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars and ineffective management of our natural resources. Creating one consistent entity would help us to better manage our natural resources and save residents money. This legislation would give members of the public the opportunity to dissolve the special district units of local government via a county-wide referendum with special majority requirements. This would save millions of dollars in taxpayer money and would ensure efficiency in the government time, money, and resources that are dedicated to protecting our environment.
CCE's memo in support of consolidation of local government entities
Prohibit Mass Release of Balloons into the Atmosphere
The release of balloons into the atmosphere poses an unnecessary threat to the environment, especially to wildlife and marine animals that may come in contact with the balloons. Like plastic bags, balloons and balloon fragments are often mistaken for food sources and are consequently digested by many marine animals and can cause death. Every year, thousands of balloons are released into the atmosphere for sporting events, celebrations, and other occasions. This legislation would put an end to the senseless releasing of mass amounts of balloons into the atmosphere that damage wildlife and our environment.
CCE's memo in support of banning balloons from being released in mass quantities
Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions in New York
New York State leadership spearheaded the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the multi-state collaborative effort to reduce regional global warming pollution from the electric generating sector. New York State is in the process of developing a comprehensive state energy plan, implementing the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and other energy conservation and renewable energy initiatives. New York’s leadership on climate change must continue and the State Legislature should direct the NYS DEC to address the climate crisis economy-wide and develop a holistic strategy for mitigation and adaptation.
CCE’s memo of support of limiting NY’s greenhouse gas emissions
Net Metering for Renewable Energy
Last year, the New York State Legislature updated New York’s net metering law to include non-residential customers, however language included in undermined the original intent of the law. This unintended consequence has resulted in restrictions on the size of a customer’s installation to 2,000KW or the customer’s peak load measured over twelve months. The 2009 Net Metering for Renewable Energy would remove the peak load provision and allow installed capacity of up to 2MW for non-residential customers, ensuring greater development in renewable energy and the economic viability of on-site renewable power generation.
CCE’s memo in support of fixing NY’s Net Metering Law
Environmental Access to Justice
The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was passed by the NYS legislature in 1975 to set rules for environmental analysis when a government entity undertakes, approves, or funds a project that might have a significant impact on the environment. SEQRA allows for citizens affected by a project to petition the courts to review an agency’s compliance with environmental review requirements. However, according to a 1991 court case, individuals can be effectively barred from bringing legal actions alleging violations of the environmental quality review provisions solely on the basis that the injury alleged by such individual does not differ from the injury that would be suffered by the public at large. This bill is necessary to correct this situation by reinstating the standing test, as intended by the NYS legislature.
CCE’s memo in support of giving individuals SEQR standing
Environmental Justice for All
Current NYS law does not explicitly provide for environmental justice considerations. The Environmental Justice for All law would provide environmental justice to minority and disadvantaged communities by affirming their legal right to equal protection under the law to a healthy and clean environment. We must ensure that people of all races, cultures, religions, incomes, education levels and sexual preferences are treated equally with respect to New York State’s environmental laws.
CCE’s memo in support of environmental justice for all
Reducing Plastic Pollution
The release of balloons into the atmosphere poses an unnecessary threat to the environment, especially to wildlife and marine animals that may come in contact with the balloons. Like plastic bags, balloons and balloon fragments are often confused as food sources and are consequently digested by many marine animals and can cause death. Once eaten, the balloons cannot be processed and block the digestive system, making it very difficult for animals to get proper nutrition, and can lead to a slow and painful death from starvation or dehydration. In additional to posing aquatic wildlife hazards, balloons are also a major source of litter, polluting waterways and creating eye sores along beaches and open spaces.
CCE’s memo in support of banning mass releases of helium balloons
Protecting the Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs have been around for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Horseshoe crabs have critical medical uses, and are a keystone species in the food web. Unfortunately, the number of horseshoe crabs laying eggs on our beaches has declined significantly, caused largely by over harvesting. The dramatic population decline of the Red Knot and the Semipalmated Sandpiper are linked to the dramatic decline of horseshoe crab eggs.CCE urges the NYS legislature to protect horseshoe crabs and dependent shorebirds by enacting a five-year statewide moratorium on taking horseshoe crabs (medical uses exempt), as New Jersey has already done.
CCE’s memo in support of the moratorium
CCE’s horseshoe crab campaign page
New York Pesticides-Free Schools Act (A. 1974-Kellner / S. 1737-Stavisky)
Pesticides are used indoors and outdoors at most schools in New York State, even with no evidence of need. The growing body of peer reviewed scientific evidence indicates that pesticide exposure can lead to serious long-term and short-term adverse health impacts, especially for children. There is clear science showing that pests and weeds can be successfully managed with readily available and affordable non-toxic alternatives. To help protect our kids, New York State should ban non-essential pesticides in schools K-12 and daycare facilities.
CCE's memo of support for this legislation
CCE's Pesticides Free Schools Campaign page
Reduction of Light Pollution
The purpose of this bill is to reduce unnecessary or excessive outdoor illumination to provide numerous environmental, economic, public health and safety benefits including: energy conservation, ecological impact reductions, glare reduction, sky glow reduction and astronomical observation enhancement, and fiscal advantages.
CCE's memo of support for this legislation
Electronic Waste Recycling
Electronic waste is the fastest growing component of the nation’s municipal waste stream and its disposal burdens local municipalities, taxpayers, and the environment. According the EPA, in 2007 about 2.5 million tons of e-waste were discarded nationally. Currently the burden of managing e-waste properly falls upon local municipalities and solid waste authorities, further burdening the local taxpayers. There is a clear role and benefit for producers to manage the end-of-life issues associated their products. New York State should enact a comprehensive e-waste recycling and reuse law, as nearly twenty other states have already done. The switch from analog to digital TV broadcasts has lead to millions of additional televisions being discarded, making this legislation very timely. Enacting a comprehensive e-waste recycling and reuse law will benefit the health, welfare, economy, and environment of New York State.
CCE's memo of support for enacting e-waste recycling law
CCE's memo of opposition to amending the proposed e-waste law to reduce producer responsibility
2009 NEW YORK STATE BUDGETARY AGENDA
CCE works to advance budget items that will protect our natural environment and public health, while working to oppose budget items that will have an adverse impact on our shared environment. The budget process begins with the release of the Governor’s executive budget to the Legislature and is officially due by April 1 each year. Below is a list of proposed budget items that CCE will be working to advance in the 2009 New York State Legislative Session.
Summary of CCE’s 2009 budgetary priorities
BUDGETARY AGENDA ITEMS:
Environmental Protection Fund
The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) supports numerous programs designed to improve the quality of life for New York’s citizens, to protect critical resources such as drinking water and air quality, and to preserve community and state character. CCE supports maintaining the stable source of revenue for the EPF, the Real Estate Transfer Fee; and for maintaining essential programs, like protecting farmland, controlling polluted stormwater runoff, supporting municipal recycling, providing environmental education, and restoring our ocean and Great Lakes.
CCE's EPF campaign information
CCE’s memo to the Legislature on the EPF
CCE’s Ocean and Great Lakes Accomplishments memo
CCE’s testimony to the Joint Budget Hearing on FY 08-09 Deficit Reduction Budget and FY 09-10 Budget
Updated by tbono 6/23/09