Jim Conte knows a clean environment means healthier communities and a bright future for our children and grandchildren. To help keep New York's lakes, rivers and beaches clean and to preserve New York's natural resources for future generations, Assemblyman Conte has made, and will continue to make, voting green a top priority.
Legislative Alert
Last year, Assemblyman Conte received a 100% Environmental Voting rating from EPL Environmental Advocates.
Lower Energy Costs
High energy costs are a drain on families, schools and business budgets. To lower energy cost and make Long Island a more affordable place to live, Assemblyman Conte is working to:
Create the NYS School Energy Efficiency Fund to provide funding to New York school districts for energy-efficient upgrades.
Establish a tax credit for certain taxpayers whose home heating costs exceed five percent of their New York Adjusted Gross Income.
Exempt the sales tax on alternative fuels used for home heating purposes providing similar protections to homeowners who currently use petroleum or natural gas.
Create a sales tax exemption and an income tax credit for Energy Star-labeled appliances and energy-efficient building materials.
Create a $200 Heat Tax Rebate to help seniors heat their homes.
Renew Article X for the siting of major electrical generating facilities and establish a state energy planning board to adopt a comprehensive state energy plan.
Green Jobs
Assemblyman Conte understands that green jobs represent the types of cutting edge employment and business opportunities that are needed to elevate New York's economy to the next level and make the state a leader in the clean energy field.
To promote the creation of green jobs on Long Island, Assemblyman Conte supports the following proposals:
Provide a tax credit to businesses for each full-time green job created or maintained. Credits available for up to 5 years (credits are $1,500 and $2,000 for jobs with salaries over $40,000).
Establish a tax exemption for businesses that operate with at least 25 percent of their energy consumption coming from green power.
Eliminate state sales tax on the purchase of any materials or services used in green development.
Allow localities to exempt green power and energy efficiency projects for a home or business from real property tax and sales tax.