Hundreds of New Yorkers from across the state converged on the Capitol in Albany Wednesday to urge their representatives to enact critical legislation that will protect the environment and build a clean-energy economy.

Senator Mark Grisanti was among the guest speakers. (Photo courtesy Environmental Advocates of New York.)New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, State Senator Mark Grisanti, and Assembly Member Robert Sweeney joined advocates for the 22^nd annual Earth Day Lobby Day [1] to voice their support for the five "Super Bills" recently named top priorities by the state's environmental community. Other speakers included Jared Snyder, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation; Dr. Anahita Williamson, director of the Pollution Prevention Institute; and representatives from environmental groups.

The Albany Times Union had a great write-up [2] on the event and so did Jon Campbell [3] from the Gannett newspapers.

Earth Day Lobby Day is the environmental community's signature annual event in the state capital, providing an opportunity for individuals and lawmakers alike to come together and address New York's most pressing environmental challenges-from clean energy and climate change, to protecting drinking water from industrial gas drilling by means of "fracking" and children's health.

"Today's great turnout for Earth Day Lobby Day underscores how much New Yorkers care about clean energy and the environment," said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn [3]. "Now that the environmental community has set clear goals for Albany, it's time for our elected leaders in both houses and in both political parties to act."

NYLCV would like to thank all of our fantastic partners for making this year's Earth Day Lobby Day such a tremendous success.

This year's Earth Day Lobby Day was hosted by the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Mountain Club, Alliance for New York State Parks, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Clean and Healthy New York, Environmental Advocates of New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Interfaith Power and Light, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group, Pace Energy and Climate Center, Public Employees Federation Division 169, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Sierra Club, Sullivan Citizens for Responsible Energy Development, The Nature Conservancy, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and cosponsored by additional organizations.