[2]Click here to read our 2008 New York State Policy Agenda

NEW YORK - Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed executive budget reflects the administration's commitment to environmental progress despite a challenging fiscal environment, and underscores how sustainability efforts and economic growth can go hand in hand.

"We applaud Governor Spitzer for taking a stand on climate change, environmental funding, mass transit and open space in his proposed executive budget," said Marcia Bystryn, executive director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "We look forward to working with the governor, the Assembly and the Senate to ensure that these and other proposals can become budget realities."

Among the energy and environmental initiatives included in today's proposed executive budget is the restoration of the biofuel tax credit. Home heating oil is the currently the second-largest source of sulfur dioxide emissions in New York. By offering a tax credit of up to 20 cents per gallon, the state would help create a market for home heating fuels made from soybean oil and other renewable sources.

"From Buffalo to Brookhaven, our built environment is responsible for a significant portion of the state's greenhouse gas emissions," Bystryn said. "Encouraging the use of bioheat can dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and we applaud Governor Spitzer for proposing the restoration of the biofuel tax credit, which will help clean our air and ease our dependence on fossil fuels at a time of skyrocketing oil prices."

The governor also made a bold statement about a congestion pricing plan for New York City, by proposing a "lock box" account. The lock box would ensure that all revenues generated from congestion pricing are deposited into a distinct account that cannot be co-mingled with other MTA funds for any purpose.

"The inclusion of a lock box in Governor Spitzer's proposed budget is a strong signal of his support for congestion pricing, and an indication that congestion pricing will be moving ahead in Albany this year," Bystryn added.

Also included in the proposed executive budget were:

• The Bigger, Better Bottle Bill, which would amend the state's Returnable Container Act to include noncarbonated drinks other than milk and liquor, and direct unclaimed deposit money into the Environmental Protection Fund; and
• Open space funding for Governor's Island ($25 million) and the Hudson River Park ($20 million). These two proposals would be paid for by the sale of state-owned land on Manhattan's West Side, near the Javits Center. NYLCV will also advocate for funding for the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which - together with the above-named proposals - is part of the planned New York Harbor District.

In the coming weeks, the New York League of Conservation Voters will advocate aggressively for these additional budget priorities:

• Maintaining environmental staff at state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation;
• Increasing financial support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, whose extensive and aging infrastructure is in critical need of capital improvements; and
• Increasing funding for "smart growth" and local planning initiatives, to encourage the development of transit-centered communities that promote downtown revitalization and reduce suburban sprawl.

These priorities are integral parts of NYLCV's 2008 New York State Policy Agenda [2], which is available on our Web site at www.nylcv.org.

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The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.