Senator Stavisky Receives Highest Environmental Score in State Senate

Flushing, NY— Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) received a score of 81 in the 2015 New York State Environmental Scorecard from EPL/Environmental Advocates – the highest score in the State Senate along with Queens Senators Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria).

            Each year, EPL/Environmental Advocates tracks the environmental voting records of the State Legislators on bills that could help or harm the air, land and water. Legislators’ scores are based on their votes on a wide range of bills, but their scores are heavily influenced by their support for “super bills” – legislation dealing with pressing environmental issues.

            “The EPL/Environmental Advocates Scorecard shows how committed Assembly members and Senators are to the environment and I’m proud to say I, along with Senators Gianaris and Comrie, received the highest scores in the Senate. I am dedicated to making this world habitable for our children and our children’s children, which will only come about if we make serious changes in our approach to the environment,” Senator Stavisky said.

Out of the five positive environmental impact bills and two super bills, Senator Stavisky voted in favor of all of them. Including:

Super Bills:

S.5995 Child Safe Products Act – Identifies chemicals of concern, prioritizes them based on the likelihood of exposure and requires disclosure by children’s product manufacturers as to whether their products contain priority chemicals. Phases out use of priority chemicals in children’s products starting January 2018.

S.884 Closing Hazardous Waste Loophole ‑ makes all hazardous waste produce from oil and gas drilling subject to the same regulations for hazardous waste generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal that apply to other industries.

Positive Environmental Impact Bills

S.5205-B Street-lighting Replacement and Savings Act – Amends public service law to provide municipalities with the option to acquire ownership and control of outdoor lighting systems currently owned by electric utilities.

 S.4926-A Paint Stewardship – Creates stewardship program. Establishes a non-profit organization which partners with existing local government programs, expands collection infrastructure and educates consumers.

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