The Office of Speaker wields tremendous power in the City Council. The speaker appoints committees and exercises broad control over the council's legislative and policy agendas. As it is rare for the speaker to co-sponsor individual bills, NYLCV has determined that the speaker's environmental record and leadership deserves a separate analysis.

New York City Council Speaker Christine QuinnChristine C. Quinn was elected to represent Manhattan's 3rd City Council district in 1999. She quickly established herself as one of the council's most dynamic members and emerged as a leading advocate on public health, equal rights, affordable housing and other important issues. Council Member Quinn was overwhelmingly elected to the powerful position of City Council speaker in January 2006.

The City Council has examined a series of important and controversial environmental bills in the last four years. Speaker Quinn and her colleagues have approved a number of these measures. NYLCV is particularly impressed by Speaker Quinn's leadership on the following initiatives:

• Solid Waste: In 2006, Speaker Quinn led the City Council in adopting a new, comprehensive solid waste management plan (SWMP) based on an equitable distribution of waste-transfer facilities and a more sustainable waste-transportation infrastructure. Furthermore, the speaker recognized the critical goal of borough equality by supporting the siting of a marine transfer station at the Gansevoort Peninsula in her own district. The speaker's courageous support for this facility (in the face of significant local opposition) was a critical factor in eventually winning approval for it.
  
  
• Transportation: Congestion pricing was among the most controversial items to reach the City Council's agenda in recent years. Speaker Quinn was an early and outspoken supporter. Her commitment to this important legislation was absolutely critical in securing the council's eventual support for the program.
  
  
• Green Buildings: Existing buildings account for 79 percent of New York City's greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaning up these structures is of paramount importance. The speaker, along with Mayor Bloomberg, has taken the lead in developing and introducing a groundbreaking package of green buildings bills that will make New York City one of the greenest and cleanest cities in the United States.
  

NYLCV strongly applauds Speaker Quinn for her exemplary leadership on many of these difficult issues. Speaker Quinn has proven herself to be among the most effective and forward-thinking environmental leaders in New York City.