Kaminsky to Chair Environmental Conservation Committee

(Albany, New York) - Today, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky released the following statement after being named chair of the State Senate’s Environmental Conservation Committee by incoming Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

“I am humbled to be named the next Environmental Conservation chair and excited to get to work,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky. “Growing up on the South Shore of Long Island, I know the importance of our natural resources and the length at which we must go to preserve them. I look forward to fighting for our environment, for clean air and water, and to helping lead the fight against climate change. Important environmental legislation has been stymied in our state for years and I am eager to begin advancing a robust environmental agenda from this important position.”

Environmental leaders praised Kaminsky’s appointment.

“We commend Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins on appointing Senator Todd Kaminsky as Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee and congratulate him on his new position,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Throughout his tenure on the committee, Senator Kaminsky has shown bold, bipartisan leadership on the issues that matter most to New Yorkers, including clean water, fighting climate change and protecting children from toxic chemicals. I look forward to continuing NYLCV's strong partnership with Senator Kaminsky in his new role, where I am confident that he will continue to make New York a national leader on climate change and environmental protection.”

“It is very exciting to have a Senator in this position who has an in-depth knowledge of the importance of climate change, drinking water protection, and restoring our estuaries. The Senator has long been a strong voice for fixing the Bay Park sewage treatment plant, restoring our Western Bays and fighting toxic pollution. His knowledge and commitment to protecting our environment will be abundantly valuable to the people of New York State,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign the Environment.

“Congratulations to Senator Kaminsky on being named Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee.  This appointment by Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins means we have a proven environmental champion leading the committee.  We look forward to working with the Chair and all members of the committee to tackle climate change, improve water quality, increase community sustainability, and conserve the valuable lands and waters that New Yorkers depend on,” said Jessica Ottney Mahar, New York Policy Director for The Nature Conservancy.

“Senator Kaminsky has been an unwavering champion in the fight to protect our precious natural resources. From vehemently opposing offshore drilling in New York waters to promoting reliance on clean energy, Senator Kaminsky will put public health and our environment first. Senator Kaminsky is the right person for the role, and we look forward to working together to defend environmental values on Long Island and across the state,” said Rich Schrader, NRDC New York Political Director.    

While previously serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, Senator Kaminsky was at the forefront of initiatives to protect and preserve air, water, soil, and other natural resources on Long Island and across New York State.

Kaminsky led the fight to nix the Port Ambrose Liquified Natural Gas proposal off the coast of Long Island, and shepherded a proposal to build an offshore wind plant on the site instead. Senator Kaminsky has also advocated to have the carcinogenic chemical 1,4-dioxane regulated in our drinking water. He received a perfect score from the New York League of Conservation Voters in 2017 and in 2018 and was named a “bipartisan leader” for having “collaborated with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work on behalf of Long Islanders.”

Kaminsky has been fighting hard for state aid for the proposed the Bay Park outfall pipe as well other environmental projects in his district. Kaminsky also sponsored legislation to protect children from toxic chemicals in toys, address and mitigate the effects of climate change and ban the sale of toxic cleaning agents, among other environmental-related legislation.

Kaminsky is a longstanding champion for victims of superstorm Sandy, fighting to protect beaches, restore  infrastructure for clean water, and build resilient infrastructure.

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