A closer look at the 2007 session

from an environmental angle

New York, New York --- This year's legislative session came to a close with modest gains for New York's environment, but the real story behind the headlines is how the environmental agenda has been reframed, according to the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).

Success can no longer be measured in terms of the success or failure of traditional "green" legislation. Prompted by growing concerns about climate change and Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC, it is now understood that energy policy, transportation policy and smart growth are all part of the environmental agenda.

"One of the most important things to come out of this session is the fundamental shift in the conversation," said Marcia Bystryn, executive director of NYLCV. "The public is demanding action on a wide range of issues linked to climate change, and legislators are seeing the broader impact their work will have on New York's land, air and water."

The Assembly and Senate worked with the governor to pass legislation called for in NYLCV's Climate Action Agenda plan. They included the Sea Level Rise Task Force and the Environmental Protection Fund Expansion Act. The latter is particularly important, since it marks the first expansion of the fund since its inception and has been a priority of the environmental community for years.

Consensus could not be reached on several significant bills. Among them were Industrial Development Agency Reform, the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, State Green Building Construction Act, the Smart Growth Infrastructure Policy Act, the bill that would advance Mayor Bloomberg's trash plan, and reform to the 2003 Brownfield Cleanup Program. An agreement on a statewide Community Preservation Act proved elusive, however, a regional version covering portions of the Hudson Valley was enacted.

Perhaps most significant, both Mayor Bloomberg's bold PlaNYC legislation and Gov. Eliot Spitzer's innovative vision of Article X reform failed to move. Bystryn said both are critical components of New York's climate action agenda.

As it appears that all sides have agreed to the concept of congestion pricing, NYLCV is urging the legislature and governor to finalize their negotiations before July 16th in order for the city to be eligible for the up to $500 million of federal funding it would receive to implement the program. In the case of Article X, NYLCV is urging that this legislation be a priority in a special session this summer.