New York League of Conservation Voters
(212) 361-6350, Ext. 206
For Immediate Release: October 25, 2019
Contact: Shachar Sharon
NYLCV Endorses Pro-Environment Candidates in the Capital Region
New York, N.Y. – The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State, endorsed 13 pro-environment candidates running for county and municipal positions in the Capital Region.
The endorsements were made by the State Board based on the recommendation of the Capital Region Chapter using responses to the NYLCV questionnaire that highlights environmental issues. The questionnaire includes questions regarding climate change, public health, clean water, and the conservation of land. This year, the organization made commitments to become a certified Climate Smart Community a key factor in endorsement decisions to ensure that municipalities are prepared to do their part to help the state achieve the ambitious climate and clean energy mandates set in the recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “As the White House continues to roll back environmental protections, local leadership is more important than ever. One of the most important ways that everyday New Yorkers can send a signal that they care about the environment is through their choice at the ballot box. Our endorsed candidates have been working to protect our natural resources, improve air quality, and make their communities more resilient. We urge voters to use our endorsement as a seal of approval for an outstanding environmental record and support them in their upcoming elections this fall.”
The full list of endorsed candidates can be found here.
Highlighted endorsed candidates include:
Meg Kelly for Mayor of Saratoga Springs
As Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Meg Kelly is an effective steward for the environment. She is committed to protecting water, maintaining open space, developing public transit, and preserving farmland. She is also committed to making the city a certified Climate Smart Community.
Patrick Madden for Mayor of Troy
Mayor Patrick Madden added expanded bike and walking trails, encouraged the growth of clean energy, and helped protect the Hudson River. Recently, Troy completed construction on its first solar array, and it now provides 20% of the city’s electricity and is currently working on its next solar project. He pledged to make Troy a Climate Smart Community.
Daniel McCoy for Albany County Executive
Since taking office McCoy has been involved in several environmental projects such as completing the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail, preserving 356 acres of open space, investing in local parks, securing grant funding for electric vehicles in the County fleet. He is also working on solar projects and pledged to make the Albany County a certified Climate Smart Community.
Fran Porter for Albany County Legislature District 31
Fran Porter supports clean energy, sustainable development, natural resource protection, greening the County’s fleet, and a paper bag fee. She is committed to bringing better linkages to business routes for communities in need, expand walkability, encourage electric vehicle charging stations, and protect Albany County’s natural resources.
Nancy Dwyer for Wilton Town Supervisor
Nancy Dwyer is involved in numerous environmental projects in Wilton. She is a member of the Environmental Action Committee of Sustainable Saratoga, and has collaborated with the Open Space Institute, the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, the Wilton Wildlife Preserve. She pledged to make Wilton a more efficient place by improving streets to allow for stormwater recharge, living rooftops and improving efficiencies in buildings. She is committed to making Wilton a certified Climate Smart Community.
Mary Frances Sabo for North Greenbush Supervisor
Mary Frances Sabo is leading the charge for North Greenbush to become a certified Climate Smart Community and pledged to encourage planning and development that would result in fewer car trips – some of NYLCV’s top priorities. As a Town Board member, she led on sustainable development and natural resources protection by passing a law that increases greenspace requirements for developers.
The New York League of Conservation Voters is the only non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that takes a pragmatic approach to fighting for clean water, healthy air, renewable energy, and open space. For more information, visit www.nylcv.org.
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