Our natural resources are precious commodities that must be protected. I have always been a champion of improving and defending our environment. To support this cause, I continually sponsor legislation and programs in order to keep New York State and the Hudson River Valley one of the most naturally rich environments in the country. Recently we have learned that supporting green technology and legislation also supports a more fiscally responsible way of life, an added bonus in these tough economic times.
I sponsored two pieces of legislation designed to make New York a more environmentally friendly state. I introduced A.5683 in the Assembly, which would prohibit all unnecessary idling of motor vehicles in the State. These idling vehicles leave behind malicious particles in the air we breathe, and have been identified as a waste of money and energy. Additionally, I sponsored A.7216A of 2010; this bill would encourage contractors to use renewable energies such as solar, wind, photovoltaics, tidal, geothermal, fuel cell technologies, and low-impact, run-of-river hydro-electric generating equipment, when bidding on public contracts. The use of these renewable energies is key to a sustainable New York.
I am also working to protect our water supply. New York's watershed is an invaluable resource, providing clean water and contributing to the livelihood of all who live, work and visit our state. As a strong supporter of preserving our water, I believe that the risks and potentially harmful effects of hydrofracturing for natural gas must be further studied before we can use this as a new source of energy fuel. Hydrofracking extracts natural gas from the ground by pumping chemicals and water at high pressure, argued to be a more cost effective option than drilling for oil, as well as being a more local option. However, hydrofracking could result in environmental damage and has already been named as a dangerous source of contamination in Pennsylvania. After listening to the concerns and opinions of my constituents, I sponsored legislation that established a moratorium on hydrofracking. This legislation, bill A.7400, passed in the New York State Assembly in June of 2011, promoting a deeper understanding of hydrofracking and its effects before further pursuing it as an energy resource.
In addition to renewable energies, protecting our water and prohibiting idling vehicles, nodal metering, or "smart" grid metering is another green technology that has the potential to save people money. I introduced A.6484 to give residents in Northern Westchester the opportunity to participate in the Nodal Metering Initiative Demonstration Project. It is expected that this Project will generate energy savings so that utilities would have the financial incentives to tap into and expand the smart grid system. Through these savings, local communities could be much more efficient when using energy.
In the current economy, I recognize the importance to the local community, state, and country that jobs are not only maintained but created. I voted in favor of legislation A.4010C which establishes an environmentally and economically friendly program. This program, Recharge NY, uses 910 megawatts of low cost power from Niagara Falls and the St. Lawrence River to provide power to businesses and non-profits statewide. This program guarantees low electricity prices for farmers in upstate New York, which is a fundamental aspect to making it possible for farmers to continue providing for our state. Recharge NY replaces the previous program, Power for Jobs, but continues its existing energy savings reimbursements through June 30, 2012. The benefits of this program, incorporated into our NYS Assembly 2011 budget bill, extend to many vital businesses and companies across the state.
Along with Recharge NY, I am also focusing on other power sources. Nuclear power receives much attention globally, but on a more local scale, with the proximity of Indian Point, nuclear power has become a concern of residents in the area. I recently voted in favor of bill, A.8510. This bill re-establishes a 2003 siting law and a panel to monitor the construction of power-generating facilities and consider environmental and health factors. The panel promotes the regulation of power plant emissions, like carbon dioxide, mercury and sulfur dioxide. The bill also looks into alternative energy sources, asking for a study on the cost and effects of solar energy.
An additional environmental bill I am working on is to require standards for the installation and maintenance of green roofs and to provide tax incentives for property-owners that create these green roof gardens. Green Roofs assist in the heating and cooling of buildings, thereby lowering those costs. Green roofs thrive on absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. Therefore they not only provide an oasis on top of buildings with vegetables and plants, but also decrease air pollution in densely populated areas and help with water drainage.
To learn more about my environmental projects please see the following links: