As Earth Day Approaches, Addabbo Pushes Measures to Combat Climate Change & Hydrofracking

Also Plans 8th Recycling Day Event in Forest Park, Queens, on April 28th

Queens, NY, April 15, 2013 -- As the United States prepares to recognize the 43^rd anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) is continuing his efforts to advance legislation to address climate change and global warming, safeguard New York’s air and water from the potential dangers of hydrofracking, and otherwise protect the state’s environment from harm.

“When the first Earth Day was founded more than 40 years ago, the catalyst for this legislation  was witnessing the horrible consequences an  oil spill in California had on the environment,” said Addabbo.  “Four decades later, we have just as much to concern us and to encourage us to work to protect our environment. To this end, I am working on a number of environmental issues in the Senate.”

Addabbo, whose Queens district was particularly hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy in late October, noted that a statewide Siena College Research Institute poll taken soon after the storm indicated that an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers – almost 70 percent – believe that climate change played a role in Hurricane Sandy.

“With these catastrophic storms and the other unusual weather conditions we are witnessing more frequently, I think it’s clear that we need to not only acknowledge the reality of climate change, but to take steps to address it in whatever ways we can on the state level,” said Addabbo. 

To this end, Addabbo is sponsoring legislation (S.3742) to establish a New York State Climate Change Task Force to assess changes in the environment, including global warming, and help the state better prepare and plan for potential impacts on tourism, agriculture, coastal communities, New York’s infrastructure, housing stock and other resources.  He is also a co-sponsor of legislation (S.735) which would require the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to develop and implement specific rules and regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.  At least seven other states have already established similar emissions standards. 

“In the recently passed New York State Budget for 2013-2014, I was pleased that an additional $19 million was provided for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to safeguard our state’s air, land and water,” said Addabbo.  “I was equally pleased that no funding was provided in the budget to support hydrofracking, a controversial natural gas drilling process that I believe presents tremendous risks to our clean drinking water supply and the public health.”  The senator  is championing a variety of legislative initiatives to combat hydrofracking in New York -- from requiring comprehensive health and environmental assessments of the practice, to testing hydrofracking wastewater for radioactivity, to banning the practice altogether. 

To help bring Earth Day a little closer to home for his constituents, Addabbo and Assemblyman Mike Miller will be holding another Recycling Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, to help local residents dispose of unwanted recyclable household items.  The event will be held at the George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell Parking Lot in Forest Park on Forest Park Drive, one block west of Woodhaven Boulevard in Woodhaven. 

“This will be our eighth recycling event,” said Addabbo, “and the last one held  resulted in the recycling of roughly 20 tons of unwanted household items.  That was a record for us, and it’s one we’re hoping to break on April 28^th!”

Items that may be recycled at the event include clothing and textiles, electronics (including televisions, computers and air conditioners), paper (which may be shredded at the event for safety), carpeting, eyeglasses, and a variety of household goods. Additionally, old, tattered American flags will be collected at the event.  Interested residents should call the Senator’s office at 1-718-738-1111 for more detailed information.    

“Across the nation, across the state, across our city, and across the street, we all have a responsibility to help safeguard our planet and our community to preserve our natural resources for future generations,” said Addabbo. “Whether it’s through new laws in Albany, or recycling events here in Queens, I intend to continue doing my part and working with my constituents to improve our environment on Earth Day and every day.”

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Judy Close, Press Secretary
NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
15th Senate District - Satellite Office
66-85  73rd Place
Middle Village, NY   11379
Ph:  718-497-1630