2017 State Scorecard Draft JL 088.Indd
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2017 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD 240TH SESSION OF THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS nylcv.org/scorecard INTRODUCTION Since 1989, the New York League of Conservation Voters has been known for its work “electing for the environment,” lending our seal of approval through our endorsement process. We have also increasingly sought to provide objective, factual information about important environmental legislation and funding priorities. In order to improve continuity between these two aspects of our mission, NYLCV has decided to issue our inaugural State Legislative Environmental Scorecard this year. Every two years, we endorse candidates for the State Legislature after assessing their record on the environment and commitment to our priorities. However, we have found that our endorsement process alone is not adequate for holding legislators accountable during their terms Marcia Bystryn, President in office or for producing an objective, public record NYLCV and NYLCV Education Fund of support for the environment. Since 2003, we have issued an Environmental Scorecard for the this year, there was far more legislation that New York City Council that has been effective in renewed New York’s historical environmental elevating the visibility of our priorities, holding leadership by supporting renewable energy, council members accountable for their votes on protecting our water, preserving our land, cleaning the environment, and encouraging members to our air, and reducing waste. support pro-environment legislation. This year, we are bringing that same effective model to the State The bills that we scored this year came from the Legislature. pool of bills that we issued memos on. We are scoring the most significant bills that passed We issued memos on more than 30 bills the State Legislature, and we are grading on co- throughout the session and sent a weekly Eco Hot sponsorship for a handful of bills that we think List, which included a list of all the bills we issued should have passed but came up short. memos on and their status in each chamber. These bills fulfill the goals laid out in our 2017 Statewide While we are not scoring the 2017-2018 State Policy Agenda, a document we put together each budget, it is important to recognize Governor year based on the policy priorities of experts from Cuomo and the State Legislature for passing a over 30 respected environmental, public health, budget that addressed a number of our priorities transportation, parks, and environmental justice and delivered billions of dollars to protect the organizations. environment. The budget allocated $2.5 billion for clean water infrastructure and created a At a time when federal leadership on comprehensive framework for monitoring emerging environmental issues is in retreat, it is more contaminants in drinking water, fully funded the important than ever for New York State to step Environmental Protection Fund at $300 million, up. While there were some disappointing anti- created a tax credit for farmers who donate unused environment bills in both houses of the Legislature food to food banks, and allocated $200 million for 1 NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS the Empire State Trail. This budget would not have The largest disappointment of this session was been possible without members of both parties in the repeal of New York City's bill to reduce single- both houses insisting that the environment be front use bag consumption. This was a tough vote for and center in budget negotiations. even our strongest allies to take given pressure to support the bill from Senator Flanagan and Speaker We felt it would be unfair to grade legislative Heastie. It puts extra meaning on a score of 100 leaders as they seldom co-sponsor bills. At the this year. We will be looking to Assemblymember same time, within this scorecard are the average Englebright, Senator O'Mara and Governor Cuomo scores for each conference. These averages give to make good on their promise to not just repeal insight into how many environmental priority bills but also replace New York City's law with strong legislative leaders allowed to come to the floor, statewide legislation. how productive their relevant committee chairs were in moving bills through the legislative process, We recognize that our scorecard, while a valuable and in some cases, an entire conference taking metric, does not tell the complete story of how an anti-environmental position. Although every effective legislators are at advocating for the member has the potential to score a 100, in some environment. A top score only tells us a legislator cases leadership made that much more challenging. took pro-evironment votes and co-sponsored the bills we asked them to. It does not speak to Overall, in a session where much of the heavy whether or not they were able to play a meaningful lifting was done in the budget, a number of role in introducing or moving important legislation small but important pieces of environmental through both houses of the legislature. Thankfully, legislation moved this past June. Bills to protect our Endorsement Committee takes all of this the Adirondacks and Hudson River, promote information into account. We look forward to financing of geothermal energy, and develop an having quantitative scores to complement our energy storage program, among many other worthy qualitative analysis, making our decision-making initiatives have either become law or are awaiting process fairer, more consistent, and transparent. the Governor's signature. As this is the first ever State Scorecard, it is safe Other bills — such as a requirement for producers to say that both our process and the final product to disclose toxic chemicals in children's products, will evolve in the coming years. We look forward a critical fix to Suffolk's Farmland Preservation to continued collaboration with legislators, our Program, and a State Transportation Plan — made partners, and the legions of conservation voters substantial progress. We hope our decision to score across the state to build the best and most useful them added enough support to push these bills evaluative tool that we can possibly provide. over the finish line next year. 2017 NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD 2 A NOTE TO OUR MEMBERS: In 2017, you used your voice to tell your legislators to fight climate change, conserve land and water, and protect public health. The environmental wins we were able to achieve this session were because of support from members like you. When we act together, we can get a lot done. An important part of our work is holding our elected officials accountable. This scorecard tells you whether your local representatives listened to you and your neighbors in Albany by upholding their responsibility to promote sound policies that protect the environment. Here are three ways you can continue to help us in this endeavor: 1. Tell your legislators you know the score: It only takes a minute to say thanks—or no thanks—to your legislators. 2. Spread the word: Share this scorecard with your friends and family so they know the score of their elected officials. 3. Donate: We could not accomplish our mission without the generous support of our members, please make a donation so that we can continue fighting climate change, conserving land and water and protecting public health. Visit NYLCV.org/scorecard for more on how you can join our campaign for a greener and healthier New York. 3 NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ABOUT THE BILLS New York City Carryout Bag Fee Moratorium Energy Storage Deployment Program: A. S. 4158/ A. 4883: OPPOSE 6571/ S. 5190: SUPPORT Signed into law by Governor Cuomo on February 14th, Energy storage can have a variety of applications for 2017, this bill killed the fee on plastic bags that was renewable energy and energy conservation. Storage intended to go into effect the very next day in New allows for renewable energy produced from solar or wind York City. An estimated 23 billion plastic bags are used to be stored for access when energy demand is higher. It annually by New Yorkers, and in New York City alone, also reduces strains on the grid during peak demand and annual disposal costs add up to an average of $12.5 million reduces the need for peaker plants. This bill creates an according to the New York City Department of Sanitation. energy storage program that encourages the installation of The carryout bag fee would have been an important step storage and sets statewide goals for storage deployment toward addressing plastic bag pollution, but despite the by 2030. A. 6571/ S. 5190 passed the Assembly on 5/17/17 setback, the New York League of Conservation Voters will and passed the Senate on 6/19/17. Sponsored by Assembly- continue to advocate for a statewide solution. S. 4158/ member Amy Paulin and Senator Joseph A. Griffo. A. 4883 passed the Senate on 2/6/17 and passed the Assembly on 2/7/17. Sponsored by Senator Simcha Felder and Assemblymember Michael Cusick. Electric Vehicle Charging Tariff A. 288/ S. 3745: SUPPORT This bill requires that power companies provide reduced Geothermal Energy On-Bill Financing rates for off-peak hours specifically for charging elec- S. 688/ A. 7117: SUPPORT tric vehicles. This will incentivize the purchase and use This bill would provide funding options and a longer pay- of electric vehicles, which are an important part of New back period for purchasing geothermal energy equipment. York State’s sustainability goals. Electric vehicles are more Geothermal systems have the least detrimental impact energy efficient than gas-powered vehicles, draw power on the environment because they produce no emissions from the electric grid, which is partially fueled by renew- and require no fossil fuels to implement.