ENVIRONMENT

There are many important issues to be decided in New York State that will affect our natural environment - our air, our water, our land. Some will offer us a false choice: either protecting our environment or growing our economy, as if each are mutually exclusive results. In fact, the strongest economic development we could advance comes with a clean environment. The choking air pollution of Mexico City, or the poisoned water quality of the Danube in Eastern Europe does not incentivize business growth in any way. We seek a balanced approach that understands long-term growth is only possible with a healthy environment.

Two issues stand out as top priorities:

HYDROFRACKING. The process of extracting natural gas from shale rock in Upstate New York is the number one environmental issue in our state. The Governor seeks to allow permits to be issued for drilling in early 2012, after completion of the public hearing process for the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement and the DEC-established regulations (comment period ends December 12, 2011). The Assembly's Democratic Majority believes we should hold off on issuing permits for drilling until we know the content of the chemicals used in the hydrofracking process; an established system to dispose of the hazardous wastewater effluent properly is established and working; counties and communities are protected from the intense impacts of innumerable truck traffic on their roads - impacts on the condition of local roads and the condition of air quality. We passed three key bills in the Assembly in 2011: a moratorium bill, a wastewater bill, and a local government ordinance protection bill; all three have died in the State Senate. These protections - and more - are absolutely necessary.

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. Despite some ideological arguments to the contrary, the vast body of scientific study indicates that the growth of greenhouse gases continues, and will ultimately lead to dire consequences worldwide if we ignore this issue. While the response to this challenge must ultimately come from Washington DC and the Federal government - and governments across the globe - New York State has a role to play as well. I support a number of bills in this area, especially the Global Warming Solutions Act and Solutions Fund, which will put our state on a path to reduce our gas emissions. This is one strategy that will have to play out over decades, perhaps beyond our own lifetimes, if we are to properly address the concern. Failure is not an option. And we will be judged harshly by future generations if we fail to meet this challenge.

There are many other issues of importance as well:

WETLANDS PROTECTION. I have long supported state legislation that would extend development protection along sensitive wetlands along our coasts, and elsewhere, from 12 acre parcels, down to 1 acre parcels. The bill has passed the Assembly, and failed in the Senate.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND. The EPF is the dedicated fund in the State Budget that targets money for environmental projects statewide. Maintaining a sound allocation of resources, even in these tough economic times, is absolutely essential, so that the State can be a partner in undertaking the environmental protection projects most needed.

SOLAR INDUSTRY and JOBS. Growing our base for clean, renewable energy, includes ensuring proper incentives for greater use of solar power for electricity generation. Building our economy with this growth industry - creating new jobs - is a classic example of marrying environmental and economic development needs.

BROWNFIELDS RESTORATION. Areas that have suffered from site-based pollution - many located in the heart of our cities and towns - must be cleaned and restored to viable economic use. The State's Brownfields Program is the essential link to make that happen.

For every one of these issues, I am supporting strategies and legislation that will protect our natural environment. I am pleased to have received, in 2011, a score of 105 - the highest score possible - from Environmental Advocates of New York (www.eany.org), the premier Albany-based organization that tracks every bill filed during the legislative session, and rates those bills, and legislative votes. In past campaigns, I am pleased, as well, to have received the endorsement of the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).

To ignore environmental concerns because of the current economic climate is to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Rather, it is the more difficult, but necessary, path to harmonize our economic needs with sound environmental policies.