Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced the Assembly passed a number of environmentally conscious bills for this year’s Earth Day Package. Legislation included initiatives to address global warming, recycling and sustainability among others.

“Our environment is a precious resource, and we only get one shot at taking care of it the right way,” said Assemblymember Steck. “The legislation passed in the Assembly will protect Mother Nature and promote environmentally friendly habits for the families and businesses in our community.”

The package of bills featured an act to ensure the state practices what it preaches when making purchases for the state. The New York State Healthy and Green Procurement Act (A.6046) would do so just that by requiring the state to consider the impacts on public health and the environment when buying goods and services for the state. The Assembly also passed a measure to prevent pollution by requiring the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to create limits on greenhouse-gas emissions and establish a reporting system for greenhouse-gases (A.6327-A).

“In today’s world we know that global warming is real and its consequences can have effects in everything we do,” Assemblymember Steck said. “Taking these steps to protect the environment is our best course of action and is the responsible thing to do. These bills are a good first step, and we need to continue our advocacy for this issue.”