Action on this short list will be key
to our environmental endorsement
and PAC activities

What's the best way to earn our environmental endorsement and PAC support? Pass these priority bills!NYLCV's 2012 State Policy Agenda sets a broad framework for legislative action in Albany. Of the more than 40 recommendations in the agenda, four are particularly important for the environment and the political climate is ripe for their passage.

This short list of priorities, which was developed in close consultation with partnering organizations, sets the goalpost for NYLCV's political activities. Action on these four priorities will get special attention in our endorsement and campaign decisions later this year:

1) The Environmental Protection Fund

Gov. Cuomo has proposed maintaining the EPF at last year's level of $134 million. NYLCV recently participated in a key lobby day and is working on a media campaign to encourage lawmakers to agree to that number in the final budget. We are also working with the Friends of New York's Environment to advocate for additional EPF revenues through unclaimed bottle deposits. Those funds are currently going directly into the general fund, to no environmental benefit.

2) Hazardous wastes from hydrofracking

A loophole in federal environmental regulations currently categorizes hydrofracking wastewater as non-hazardous - even if the wastewater itself is actually hazardous. In February, the Assembly passed a bill to close this loophole and protect New York's natural resources. NYLCV will be working closely with our partner organizations to pass companion legislation in the Senate.

3) Sewage right-to-know

There is currently no state law that requires the public to be notified when sewage contaminates New York's coastal waters, lakes and rivers. This leaves millions of residents at risk of contracting waterborne illnesses from exposure to sewage-laden water. With infrastructure maintenance on the decline, this is not acceptable. Many states have passed sewage public notification laws. It's time for New York to do the same.

4)  Solar energy

In his State of the State address, Gov. Cuomo specifically mentioned solar -- vowing to double in-state generation by the end of the year, and quadruple it by 2013. The governor's budget proposal also calls for tax credits for the installation of solar systems. These initiatives are a good start, but state lawmakers can go a step further. NYLCV is playing a key role in a broad coalition of organizations to push for a long-term and robust solar program. Our goal is to position New York as a clean-energy leader, improve air quality and generate significant economic activity.