Cahill Sponsored Environmental Measures Clear Assembly on Earth Day Lobby Day

April 21, 2010

Albany – Several important environmental protection measures co-sponsored by Assemblymember Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) cleared the Assembly as hundreds of New Yorkers converged on the State Capitol for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. This year also marks the 20th annual Earth Day Lobby Day, which brings concerned citizens together from across the state to speak to elected officials about environmental causes.

“The bills we passed today are vital to the health and prosperity of New Yorkers. The Assembly has a long history of passing some of the strongest environmental protection and conservation measures in the country,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “We face many challenges and this legislation is an important step in addressing some very complex issues.”

The Assembly passed several key bills co-sponsored by Assemblymember Cahill, including:

• “The Global Warming Pollution Control Act” (A.7572A) would require an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from all sources by 2050, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cuts like these will help stave off the worst effects of climate change.
• “The New York State Healthy and Green Procurement Act" (A.7038A) establishes a preference for the purchase of commodities, services and technologies by the State of New York that minimize potential adverse impacts on public health and the environment.
• Wetlands Restoration (A.4807) requires restoration of land adjacent to wetlands by those persons who have been directed to cease violation and to restore affected wetlands. The conditions of these areas are important and their restoration is essential because they act as a buffer from deterioration.

“Earth Day Lobby Day is a testament to the power of citizens getting together for a cause that is of the utmost importance,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “They are to be commended for their tireless dedication to protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the earth on which we depend.”

Assemblymember Cahill has also been active in promoting conservation and renewable energy as Assembly Energy Committee Chair. Among the bills passed recently are one of the most expansive net metering laws in the nation (A.7557A) and the Green Jobs/Green New York Act of 2009. The net metering initiative eliminates arbitrary restrictions on utility rate payers who are seeking to sell excess onsite generated green energy back to electric grid. The Green Jobs/Green New York program will lead to energy efficiency retrofitting of one million existing homes and businesses.

“These groundbreaking laws are boosting our renewable technology industry and creating jobs for installing and maintaining these systems and retrofits,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “As a state, we are embracing the many environmental, public health, economic development and security benefits of the new energy economy.”

What's New