NYLCV's efforts at the state Capitol began paying benefits this week, with some important legislation making progress.

Important bills are expected to come up next week in the Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee, led by Sen. Thompson.First, the Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee passed legislation that requires fuel-impact statements on all new vehicles sold in the state. Specifically, it calls for reporting fuel efficiency in terms of gallons per mile, which offers a more accurate metric than the standard miles per gallon measurement. Read our memo in support to learn more about this legislation, which was introduced by Sen. Dan Squadron.

Second, the Senate's Energy Committee passed legislation to fix the state's existing net metering law. That law, passed in 2008, was intended to allow utility customers to sell back up to 2 megawatts of renewable energy that they generate into the electric grid. A technicality, however, prevented the original law from accomplishing that purpose.

There was also a setback, at least temporarily. A bill that would have protected public health and greatly reduced air pollution by requiring No. 2 heating oil -- the most commonly used -- to meet the same refining standards the federal government currently mandates for diesel oil used in on-road vehicles stalled in committee. State Senate Leader John Sampson may bring the legislation, S. 1145-A, up for a vote next week instead. CLICK HERE to urge the Senate to act on this bill.

NYLCV's Policy Director, Ricardo Gotla, has also been leading up our advocacy on the Environmental Protection Fund, which will face large cuts if the governor's proposed budget goes through. The NYLCV team also met with Sen. George Maziarz, who chairs the Energy Committee, to voice our concerns about natural gas drilling.

Coming up next week: a committee vote on legislation that would make it easier for municipalities to purchase renewable energy and a hearing on green affordable housing.

CLICK HERE to read about all of the NYLCV Education Fund's 2010 priorities for the state Legislature.