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The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) has released its 2024 New York State Environmental Scorecard, an annual evaluation of State Legislators based on their support – or lack of support – for environmental legislation.

PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been used since the 1940s. These chemicals, now linked to serious health problems such as cancer, birth defects and kidney and thyroid disease, can be found in rugs, clothing, cookware, furniture, house paint, personal care items and menstrual items and more.

The Campaign Manager will be responsible for helping Wind Works New York and NYLCV advance a clean energy future, specifically focused on furthering a successful offshore wind program in New York State. 

As New Yorkers return from summer vacations and commuters flood back into the city after Labor Day, traffic congestion is surging and once again reminding us of the urgent need for congestion pricing, a policy designed to alleviate the traffic chokehold on Manhattan’s streets while improving air quality and funding our public transit system.

The bills, passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly in the 2023-24 legislative session, are rather straightforward. Two deal directly with our collective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we fight climate change and strive to meet our state goals of reducing emissions from 1990 levels 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050. We urge Gov. Hochul to sign a bill (S1535A/A4871) that would require the state to install and maintain EV charging stations in all New York state owned and operated parking facilities, including all lots and garages. This would include the 58 park-and-ride lots it operates across the state, many along major highways. Recently, major car manufacturers have announced that they are cutting back on EV manufacturing, as sales have declined. A common consumer fear is that there are not enough EV charging stations to make long-distance travel convenient, or even possible. This needs to change - and change quickly - and having the governor sign this bill is a significant step in the right direction as we push to reduce our carbon emissions. Vehicle transportation in the state accounts for almost a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, the second highest sector. In order to meet our climate goals, this needs to be reduced. 

New York State generates a staggering 4 million tons of excess food annually. This surplus, which accounts for roughly 17% of the state’s municipal solid waste stream, often ends up in landfills. There, it decomposes, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas with 25 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide. Organic waste in landfills is the largest source of methane emissions in New York. The good news is that the state is not without tools to address this. By diverting food waste from landfills, New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Program has not only reduced methane emissions but has also reallocated food to those in need, addressing both climate change and food insecurity. But as we move forward, it’s clear that more must be done.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has confirmed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Congestion Pricing Initiative, which was set to begin on June 30th, will significantly benefit the environment and reduce traffic congestion by 17%. This significant reduction in traffic volume would lead to improved air quality not just in New York City, but across the entire region, benefiting 10 counties in New York State and two in New Jersey. 

The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) and the NYLCV Education Fund has helped drive significant progress for New York’s environment in 2024. Thank you to all of our members for helping to advance clean energy, clean air and water and a healthy future for all New Yorkers. With just about five months to go in 2024, we’re not slowing down.