[9/20] Albany, N.Y. – The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) marks Climate Week with the release of its 2022 State Environmental Scorecard, their annual evaluation of State Legislators based on their support–or lack of support–for environmental legislation. Voters have come to rely on the scorecard as an easy-to-understand ledger on state environmental policies and an effective tool for them to hold their representatives accountable. 

This week Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) started their implementation of the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act, a priority bill for NYLCV which will aid the effort to decarbonize our buildings. 

Earlier this month Governor Hochul announced $16.6 Million in awards for five long duration energy storage projects. These funds have been made available through NYSERDA’s Renewable Optimization and Energy Storage Innovation Program, with the goal of advancing renewable energy implementation and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Battery and energy storage technologies will be vital to helping us move forward with renewable energy generation and make sure our grid is resilient and reliable. 

On August 10th, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York City and New York State Departments of Transportation, and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released the long-awaited environmental assessment (EA) for congestion pricing in Manhattan’s central business district (CBD). Congestion pricing, which will reduce traffic, reduce the air and climate pollution caused by traffic, and raise at least $1 billion per year in dedicated funding for the MTA, was first authorized by the State legislature in 2019.

On August 11 the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (NYCCELP) gathered on the steps of New York City Hall to unveil their “2022 Lead Agenda.” At its core, the coalition seeks to eliminate all sources of lead poisoning in the city because, as health experts tell us, no level of lead exposure is safe as small amounts can cause neurological damage and other health problems especially in children.

Having passed the halfway point of 2022, we at NYLCV plan to continue pursuing our goals for creating a sustainable New York with continued focus. This article will highlight our legislative priorities for the rest of 2022; in other words, it will briefly note and summarize key bills currently working through the City Council that we want to see passed.