Environmental Advocates of New York Statement on Cuomo's "Cleaner, Greener Ny" Environmental Agenda

ALBANY, NY (10/30/2010)(readMedia)-- (ALBANY, NY)-Environmental Advocates commends the Cuomo campaign for releasing the "Cleaner, Greener NY" environmental agenda. The campaign clearly recognizes that the state's future prosperity is closely tied New Yorkers' quality of life and the value placed on protecting its environment.

"Andrew Cuomo gets it. Environmental protection is not at the expense of economic development. It's an essential precursor for jobs, investment and improving the quality of life in New York's communities," said Rob Moore, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York. "No business or family wants to relocate to a community with rundown parks, polluted lakes and streams, or lands so contaminated they can't be used."

One of the issues that will demand much of the next governor's attention is natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Andrew Cuomo recognizes the need to be "environmentally sensitive and safe" with regard to drilling for natural gas. While the campaign may be in favor of drilling, it recognizes that it is not worth pursuing if it means the loss of drinking water supplies or the contamination of our waters.

"His commitment to New Yorkers is to pursue drilling only if it is done safely and with the highest protection standards in place," said Moore. "Of course, no matter what policies are enacted, drilling cannot be done safely unless the Department of Environmental Conservation has the staff and resources necessary to do its job."

In "Cleaner, Greener NY," the need to align economic development goals with environmental goals is repeated several times. The cleanup of contaminated brownfields and Superfund sites is one such area. Communities cannot prosper if such sites are not cleaned up and put to good use. Improving brownfields cleanup standards and fixing a flawed tax credit system are important components of the candidate's plan.

On the subject of climate change the Cuomo campaign states unequivocally, "The State is well served by enacting regulations to address climate change. Statutory standards provide certainty to industries and investment will follow."

Environmental Advocates believes this is critically important. "New York can show the rest of the nation how to meet the challenge of climate change head on and turn a potential crisis into an opportunity," said Moore.

In the wake of the sudden dismissal of Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis on October 21st, "Cleaner, Greener NY" may underestimate the mess that the next governor inherits at the DEC and the state's other environmental agencies. The plan states that a panel will seek to improve agency efficiency, which may be useful but will not adequately address core deficiencies-a lack of resources and a lack of people to do the work.

Over the last few years, New York's environmental agencies have been decimated. Many aspects of the "Cleaner, Greener NY" agenda will be impossible to implement without a significant re-investment in the agencies and an aggressive rebuilding effort. "The success or failure of the Cuomo campaign's agenda depends on a commitment to rebuild these agencies," added Moore.

-30-

Environmental Advocates of New York was established to protect our air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. Environmental Advocates works to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader. The group is the New York State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.