Albany – Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) has yet again proven to be one of the most proactive environmental activists in New York State as he has earned the top mark in the 2011 EPL/Environmental Advocates’ annual Voters’ Guide. The Assemblymember’s perfect score was based on his unwavering support for green legislation during the previous legislative session. The Voters’ Guide is the only scorecard that grades Legislators according to their voting record on bills that either improve or damage the state’s air, land, and/or water quality.
“This legislative Session was a banner year for environmental and energy legislation here in New York State,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “As Chair of the Energy Committee, I am proud to have played a role in advancing environmentally sound legislation, including the Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act (A.5713), along with reauthorizing and improving the Article X power plant siting law, providing for an on-bill recovery program for Green Jobs-Green New York customers, and identifying additional strategies to increase solar energy generation in our state.”
Throughout his tenure, Assemblymember Cahill has taken great strides to improve environmental protections in New York State. In 2008, he was named "Legislator of the Year" for his efforts in supporting net metering reform.
Assemblymember Cahill scored 105 in this year’s Guide, the highest possible grade on the EPL/Environmental Advocates’ scale. The score is tallied based on a Member’s support for EPL/Environmental Advocates' priority "Super Bills". This year, Assemblymember Cahill's mark came in higher than the majority of his colleagues in the Hudson Valley region, and in the entire Assembly, sponsoring three of the five pieces of legislation and voting to advance all of them either on the Floor or in committee. The 2011 Super Bills included:
- Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act (A.5713)
- Global Warming Pollution Cap (A.5346)
- Water Withdrawal Permitting Program (A.5318-A)
- Closure of the Hazardous Waste Loophole for Fracking Fluid Disposal (A.7013)
- Complete Streets (A.1863)
“I am honored to be recognized by EPL/Environmental Advocates for doing what is right and protecting the people of this state from potential environmental dangers. While there is much more to be done, I am confident that we have the leadership in the Assembly to further our work toward making New York an environmentally safer place to live and work,” concluded Assemblymember Cahill.
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