EPA Region 2 Administrator Enck, Gov. Paterson & Comptroller DiNapoli to Join Groups at Earth Day Lobby Day

Official State Critters Lead Call to Protect Air, Land & Water, Restore Environmental Funding at Earth Day Celebration

ALBANY, NY (04/16/2010)(readMedia)-- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck, Governor David A. Paterson and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli will join an estimated 200 concerned New Yorkers at the 20th anniversary of New York's first Earth Day Lobby Day on April 20th. State Environmental Conservation Committee Chairs Senator Antoine Thompson and Assembly member Robert Sweeney will also speak to gathered environmentalists.

A few of New York's official state critters--the beaver, bluebird, snapping turtle and brook trout--will attend Earth Day Lobby Day to renew their call to restore environmental funding in the state budget. The animals resigned their posts as official state critters in March to protest cuts to the State's Environmental Protection Fund.

As the originator of the first Earth Day Lobby Day, the environmental groups organizing the event will present Administrator Enck with a special award.

WHO:

10am: Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:30am: Assembly member Robert Sweeney

10:45am: Senator Antoine Thompson

11am: NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

11:15am: Governor David A. Paterson

11:45am US EPA Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck

12:30pm: Parade to the Capitol led by New York’s official critters
WHAT:

Earth Day Lobby Day is the State Capital’s largest annual environmental event and this year marks its 20th anniversary. The agenda will focus on high priority issues, including capping climate-altering pollution, recycling toxic electronic waste, restoring the public’s right to enforce environmental review laws, protecting New York from the potential dangers of natural gas drilling, and restoring critical environmental funding in the state budget.
WHEN: Tuesday April 20, 2010 at 10:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Westminster Presbyterian Church
85 Chestnut Street
between Dove & Swan
Albany, New York 12210
NOTES:

VISUALS: Banners and signs in church. The beaver, bluebird, snapping turtle and brook trout will lead a march from the church to the State Capitol at 12:30pm.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Laura Haight (518) 588-5481, New York Public Interest Research Group

Daniella Nordin (518) 462-5526 x.239, Environmental Advocates of New York

Sean Mahar (518) 253-7000, Audubon New York

John Sheehan (518) 432-1770, Adirondack Council