Senator Addabbo Announces Renewed Emphasis on Environmental Protection

Queens, NY, April 8, 2013 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., (D-Howard Beach) today announced that additional funds have been allocated for the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) as part of the 2013-2014 State Budget, and noted new “green” opportunities for New Yorkers including the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit.  

“Protecting New York’s natural resources remains a top priority,” Senator Addabbo said. “By ensuring that our natural resources are utilized by sustainable industries, we can protect the environment and drive lasting job growth in our state. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to allocate additional funds for the Environmental Protection Fund.” 

As part of the 2013-2014 State Budget, the Legislature enacted the Cleaner Greener New York Act to increase revenues for the EPF by redirecting unclaimed bottle deposit receipts. This common sense initiative will lead to an additional $19 million for the EPF in 2013 and will serve as regular funding source for future budgets. Also included, the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit provides a tax incentive to those who are installing electric vehicle recharging stations, and includes a credit for alternative fuels such as liquid natural gas and liquid petroleum.  

“Creative solutions like the Cleaner Greener New York Act and common sense tax incentives like the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit will protect our state’s environment and make New York State more self sustaining,” Addabbo stated. “For New York to have a long-term, prosperous economic future, we need to make green technology investments now.” 

Locally, Addabbo believes there are important environmental issues that should be addressed.  On the Ridgewood Reservoir, Addabbo supports local residents who want to preserve it as the natural wetlands and migratory bird sanctuary it has become since the system was shut down decades ago. There is much less local support for having it developed into athletic fields.    

"The Environmental Protection Fund has been increased by $19 million to safeguard New York’s land, air and water, and there is nothing in this budget to advance hydrofracking and its accompanying environmental and public health risks,” Addabbo stated. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been on record with the notion that in order to monitor fracking in the state, it would need additional funding mainly to hire personnel, which funding was not included in the newly adopted state budget.   

Regarding another local environmental issue, according to Addabbo part of a $10 million appropriation for freight rail will be directed to a Long Island Railroad engine emission standard upgrade pilot program to address air pollution from trains. The senator has stated he is most interested as to the timeframe of such an upgrade to relieve his constituents of the noise and air pollution caused by nearby freight rail activity.  

On a final related note, Addabbo has encouraged his constituents to participate in an environmentally responsible recycling event, co-sponsored with Assemblyman Mike Miller, to be held on Sunday, April 28^th, 2013, between 10 am – 3 pm at the George Seuffert Bandshell Parking Lot in Forest Park, rain or shine, that will prevent electronic waste from entering into a landfill and polluting the environment. The senator suggests cleaning out your closets, bookcases, file cabinets, attics and basements and all unwanted items for the spring and recycle. Items to be taken at the event include electronic equipment (no appliances), computers, monitors, cell phones, servers, fax machines, typewriters, TVs, PDAs, scanners, copiers, printers, batteries, laptops, cameras, wires, power strips, chargers, cable boxes, fans, air conditioners, telephones, VCR tapes; clothing & textiles (all items must be clean and dry) including clothing, coats, bedding, linens, paired shoes, scarves, belts, hats, handbags; paper/books/cardboard/confidential papers (all paper items will be shredded while you watch to ensure safety); carpeting (accepting residential-type carpeting and foam padding only); household goods (dishes, glasses, silverware, lamps, pots, drapes); eyeglasses donation; and American flags for recycling.   

For more information on the recycling event, you can call Senator Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111 or his Middle Village office at 718-497-1630

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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