NYS Senator George Winner Receives 2010 "Oil Slick" Award in Annual Environmental Voters' Guide

ALBANY, NY (10/05/2010)(readMedia)-- In the only scorecard that grades New York State lawmakers according to their votes on bills that could benefit or harm our air, land and water, EPL/Environmental Advocates named Senator George Winner (R-Elmira) as the recipient of the 2010 "Oil Slick" award, given to the public figure who has done the most to derail New York's environmental protections. Senator Winner earned this year's Oil Slick for his unwavering support of the oil and gas industry while he benefited from their business and welcomed their political contributions. As the threat of the environmentally questionable practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," for natural gas grows, Senator Winner's misdeeds shed light on his true allegiance-to the oil and gas industry-and his score of 49 in the 2010 Voters' Guide reflects it. EPL honored Senator Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) as "Legislators of the Year" for 2010. Legislator of the Year honors are awarded to the public figures that have done the most to advance environmentally beneficial policy. Assembly member Barbara Lifton (D-Ithaca) was among the Assembly's top scores, with a 90. For more details and individual scores, visit www.eplvotersguide.org.

"Despite a bruising state budget battle that gouged environmental funding, the 2010 New York State Legislative Session included important victories, but it also had some green villains. EPL/Environmental Advocates calls on Senator Winner to change his allegiance from the oil and gas industry to his constituents and vote to protect-not hurt-New York's environment when he returns to Albany," 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."

Sharing Legislator of the Year honors are Senator Antoine Thompson (D-Buffalo) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), who received a scores of 82 and 90, respectively. 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 the State Senate, Jim Seward (R-Oneonta), Michael Nozzolio (R-Seneca Falls) and Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) all received failing scores, with Seward earning a 53 and Nozzolio and Libous both receiving 51's.

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. 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.