Assembly Member Bob Sweeney & NYS Senator Antoine Thompson Named New York's Greenest Lawmakers

ALBANY, NY (10/05/2010)(readMedia)-- In the only scorecard that grades New York State lawmakers according to their votes on bills that could help or harm our air, land and water, today EPL/Environmental Advocates honored Assembly Member Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) and Senator Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) as "Legislators of the Year" for 2010. Legislator of the Year honors are awarded to the public figure/s that has done the most to advance environmentally beneficial policy. Retiring Senator George Winner (R-Elmira) received the "Oil Slick" award for his efforts on behalf of oil and gas industry lobbyists this year. For details and individual scores, visit www.eplvotersguide.org.

"The health of New York's air, land and water are critically important to the people I have the privilege to represent in the Town of Babylon, and to millions of New Yorkers across the state. From our health to the economy, every aspect of our life is affected by the quality of our environment." said Assemblyman Robert Sweeney. "I'm proud that EPL/Environmental Advocates has recognized me as Legislator of the Year for the second time."

"Despite a bruising state budget battle that gouged environmental funding, the 2010 New York State Legislative Session included important victories. The men responsible for these green successes are Legislators of the Year Assemblyman Sweeney and Senator Thompson," said Robert Moore, executive director of EPL/Environmental Advocates. "EPL's Voters' Guide is New York's one-and-only scorecard that grades state lawmakers according to their votes on environmental bills. This year's scorecard also takes a critical look at how fiscal decisions set back New York's environmental protections."

Among other good works, the two Legislators of the Year were recognized for their efforts on the environmental community's priority "Super Bills," including a new law that requires electronic waste recycling. In addition, Assemblyman Sweeney, with a score of 90, worked to clean up dirty home heating oil. For his part, Senator Thompson, with a score of 82, played a critical role in the passage of a short "timeout" on the environmentally risky practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for natural gas.

The 2010 Voters' Guide awarded an honorable mention to Senator Bill Perkins (D-NYC) as the force behind a new law that will clean up home heating oil and help millions of New Yorkers breathe easier. The late Senator Thomas Morahan (R-Nanuet) was recognized as one of the Senate's most vocal champions for reducing the pollution that is changing our climate.

The 2010 Voters' Guide awarded an honorable mention to Senator Bill Perkins (D-NYC) as the force behind a new law that will clean up home heating oil and help millions of New Yorkers breathe easier. The late Senator Thomas Morahan (R-Nanuet) was recognized as one of the Senate's most vocal champions for reducing the pollution that is changing our climate.

And to celebrate his last year in office, Senator George Winner earned this year's Oil Slick for unwavering support of the oil and gas industry while he benefited from their business and welcomed their political contributions. The Oil Slick award is given to the public figure that has done the most to derail New York's environmental protections. As the threat of the environmentally questionable practice of fracking for natural gas grows, Senator Winner's misdeeds shed light on his true allegiance-to the oil and gas industry.

Every member of the State Legislature was dinged for their failure to restore Governor David Paterson's big cuts to environmental funding in the state budget this year, resulting in lower scores across the board. And although the Governor is not scored, the Voters' Guide places the blame for this year's environmental budget debacle squarely on the Governor's shoulders.

On average, Republican senators scored worse than their Democratic Party colleagues (53 to 81). Senate Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) received a score of 78, while President Malcolm Smith (D-St.Albans) received a 79. Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) received a 49, up from 21 last year. The Senate's high scorer this year is Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) with an 87.

In the Assembly, Republican members scored a 57 on average, while their Democratic Party colleagues scored an 88. Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-NYC) is among top scores with 90, Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany) received an 86, and Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Geneva) received a 43.

As in past years, the Assembly passed all three of the environmental community's Super Bills; one became law. New electronic waste ("E-waste") recycling requirements will keep toxic chemicals from used electronics such as PCs and TVs out of our landfills. The Super Bills are selected by the Green Panel, which includes groups from across the state, as the environmental community's legislative priorities. In addition to the E-waste bill, the 2010 Super Bills include the Global Warming Pollution Control Act, which would reduce climate pollution 80 percent by the year 2050 and the Environmental Access to Justice Act, which would restore New Yorkers' right to enforce environmental review laws.

EPL/Environmental Advocates calculates lawmakers' scores using the ratings of its sister organization, Environmental Advocates of New York. Legislators earn between one and three points respectively for votes in support of bills that received one, two or three "trees." Tree-rated bills are those deemed beneficial to the environment. Likewise, legislators earn between one and three points for voting against bills that were give a rating of one, two or three "smokestacks." Smokestack-rated bills are those deemed detrimental to the environment. Votes on priority "Super Bills" are given extra weight in the guide.

The Voters' Guide is the first and only record of New York State lawmakers' votes on legislation that will impact the environment. The Guide has been produced and distributed statewide for more than 40 years.

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EPL/Environmental Advocates was founded in 1969 as one of the first organizations in the nation to advocate for the future of a state's environment and the health of its citizens. Through lobbying, advocacy, coalition building, citizen education and policy development, EPL/Environmental Advocates has been New York's environmental conscience-ensuring that environmental laws are enforced; that new measures are enacted when necessary; and that the public is informed of, and participates in, important environmental policy debates.