Cahill Earns High Marks on Environmental Scorecard

October 3, 2012

Kingston – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) has once again been ranked one of the top lawmakers for his strong positions on environmental protection in the 2012 EPL/Environmental Advocates’ annual Voters’ Guide. The Assemblymember’s score was based on his efforts to advance a progressive green policy agenda while pushing back against legislation that would weaken New York’s environmental regulations. 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 water quality.

“New York’s unique historic and natural attributes have long been essential components to our quality of life and our economy, especially here in the Hudson Valley,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “We must continue to build on our strong record of environmental stewardship by advancing progressive policy initiatives and providing regulators with the resources they need to protect our air and water quality, preserve open space and promote smart sustainable development.”

Throughout his tenure in the legislature, Assemblymember Cahill has taken great strides to improve environmental protections in New York State. In 2008, he was named "Legislator of the Year.” As Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, he has played a central role in settling several major issues with the passage of landmark legislation designed to promote energy efficiency, strengthen environmental justice protections and spur the development of clean energy.

“Energy innovation has been at the top of the agenda in recent years and New York has made a lot of progress implementing policies that tie economic growth to the clean and efficient production, delivery and use of power in our state,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “The state needs to sustain its focus on the modernization of our power grid by re-powering and replacing old infrastructure, establishing a serious long-term commitment to solar power, energy storage and smart grid technologies.”

Assemblymember Cahill scored 95 in this year’s Guide, tied for second amongst all State Legislators on the EPL/Environmental Advocates’ scale. On average, Members of the Assembly scored a 75, while State Senators came in at 45. The grade is tallied based on a Member’s support for EPL/Environmental Advocates’ priority “Super Bills.”

2012 Super Bills:

Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act (A.9149)

Global Warming Pollution Cap (A.5346)

Closure of the Hazardous Waste Loophole for Fracking Fluid Disposal (A.7013)

Child Safe Products (A.3141-A)

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