Senator Sanders Receives Perfect Score on Environmental Issues from New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV)

State Senator James Sanders Jr. received a 100% perfect score for his record of voting in favor of positive environmental issues based on a scorecard from the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV), a nonpartisan advocacy group.

The annual scorecard, which was released on September 21, 2021, examines how lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly voted on various pieces of legislation from promoting electric vehicles to lead-free drinking water in an effort to hold representatives accountable. A 100% score reflects an ideal environmental record over the past year, according to the NYLCV. 

“There is a Native American proverb that says: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” It’s just another way of saying we should be doing all we can to protect the environment, not only for ourselves, but for future generations," Sanders said. "That is why I am proud to support my colleagues in the Democratic Conference as we moved forward with many environmental protection bills.”

Senator Sanders voted for Fiscal Year 2021-22 Enacted State Budget this year to protect and preserve New York’s natural resources and to build on those efforts to continue being a national leader and extending renewable energy initiatives to meet goals set in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Enacted Budget included:
 

• Authorizes the $3 billion Environmental Bond Act of 2021, "Restore Mother Nature," to fund environmental improvements that preserve, enhance, and restore New York's natural resources and reduce the impact of climate change. The Bond Act will appear on the ballot in the 2022 general election.
• Extends the tax credit for brownfield redevelopment projects subject to COVID-19--related delays for two years.
• Modifies the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act to strengthen the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and to protect farmland.
• Ensures that good jobs are created on State Renewable Energy Credit projects through the expansion of prevailing wage, labor peace, Buy American, and Buy New York procurement preferences. 

 
Senator Sanders has introduced the following legislation:
 
CLIMATE CHANGE
 
Establishes a Green New Deal for New York Task Force (S.1559)
This bill would protect the 10^th Senate District by helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change, including massive flooding and severe heat waves.
 
Declaring a Climate Emergency and Placing a Ban on New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure (S.2835) 
It would prevent the installment of any new gas pipeline through the 10^th Senate District that could result in gas leaks, which could poison the water, soil and air.
 
Requires Climate Change Education in Public Schools (S.654)
This bill would educate students of the 10^th Senate District on the threat to the 10^th Senate District and the planet posed from climate change.
 
RENEWABLE ENERGY
 
Establishes a 100% Clean Renewable Energy System for Electricity by 2030 (S.2834)
This bill would protect the 10th Senate District by helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change, including massive flooding and severe heat waves, by reducing greenhouse gases using clean renewable energy.
 
 
Establishes the College of Renewable Energy and Sustainability within the City University of New York (S.3176)
This bill would create jobs in the 10^th Senate District and provide an educational option for residents of the 10^th Senate District.
 
Authorizes the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to Enter into Agreements to Establish a New York Renewable Energy Laboratory (S.4479)
 This bill would create jobs in the 10^th Senate District and contribute to the local economy.
 
 
Provides an Exemption for the Sale and Installation of Residential and Commercial Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Equipment (S.642)
This bill would make it less expensive to purchase geothermal energy in the 10^th Senate District and help improve the air quality with more clean renewable energy.
 
Establishes a Community Wind Energy Pilot Program (S.6396)
This bill would create jobs in the 10^th Senate District and help improve the air quality with more clean renewable energy.
 
RESILIENCY & STORM RELIEF
 
Directs the City of New York to Conduct an Analysis of Stormwater and Groundwater Issues in Southeast Queens (S.1567)
This bill would help improve resiliency and mitigate flooding in the 10^th Senate District by understanding the full extent of the problem and providing solutions.
  
Establishes the Municipal Severe Storm Relief Fund for Rockaway, Queens to be Administered by the Division of Homeland Security (S.1564)
This bill establishes the municipal severe storm relief fund for Rockaway, Queens to repair damage to public infrastructure caused by Hurricane Sandy. This bill would help improve resiliency and mitigate flooding in the 10^th Senate District
 
Authorizes the City of New York to Alienate and Discontinue the Use of Certain Portions of Idlewild Park (S.6229) 
This legislation seeks to temporarily suspend public usage of certain parts of Idlewild Park in order to complete construction of a storm sewer by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would flood mitigation for this area. PASSED BOTH HOUSES, WAITING FOR GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE
 
Makes Provisions with Respect to Notices of Homeowners Deductibles Triggers for Hurricane Windstorms (S.6407-B)
This bill would help homeowners in the 10^th Senate District better understand the applicability and amount of hurricane windstorm deductibles.
 
FORESTS, OPEN SPACES AND PARKS
 
Establishes the New York State Reforest, Restore and Sustainable Agriculture Commission (S.5200)  
This bill would help protect forests and parks in the 10^th Senate District by better understanding forest loss and what to do about it.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE
 
Directs the New York State Department of Health to Conduct a Study on the Incidences of Asthma in Cities and Towns Having a Population of More than 90,000 (S.646-B)
This bill will promote health in the 10^th Senate District by better understanding the impact of asthma locally.  PASSED BOTH HOUSES, WAITING FOR GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE
 
Directs the New York State Department of Health to Conduct a Study on the Incidences of Cancer Clusters in Cities and Towns Having a Population of More than 90,000 (S.7331)
This bill will promote health in the 10^th Senate District by better understanding the impact of cancer locally. 
 
Authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to Conduct a Study Relating to Airborne Ultrafine Particles (S.315) 
This bill will promote health in the 10^th Senate District by better understanding the impact of airborne ultrafine particles locally.  
 
Increases the Time to File a Claim in a Toxic Tort Case (S.667)
This bill will empower residents of the 10^th Senate District who are victims of toxic illnesses by giving them more time to file a lawsuit.
 
Prohibits the Sale and Use of Pavement Products Containing Coal Tar; Prohibits the Use of Oil Pavement Products Containing Coal Tar (S.4095-B)
This bill will protect Senate District 10 residents, especially children, and wildlife from the toxic effects of coal tar. PASSED BOTH HOUSES, WAITING FOR GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE
 
 
RECYCLING
 
Requires Contractors in New York City to Recycle 50% of the Waste Generated on Construction and Demolition Sites (S.6228) 
This bill would help protect residents of the 10^th Senate District from the full impact of waste by reducing the amount that goes to landfills, which could make the air and water less clean.
 
Requires State Agencies and Contractors to Recycle 50% of the Waste Generated on Public Works Construction and Demolition Sites (S.3147) 
This bill would help protect residents of the 10^th Senate District from the full impact of waste by reducing the amount that goes to landfills, which could make the air and water less clean.
 
Requires Contractors Statewide to Recycle Waste Generated on Construction and Demolition Sites (S.3148) 
The purpose of the legislation is to significantly reduce the amount of waste statewide produced by construction and demolition activities. This bill would help protect residents of the 10^th Senate District from the full impact of waste by reducing the amount that goes to landfills, which could make the air and water less clean.
 
Directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to Study Alternative Municipal Uses for Recycled Glass (S.4094)
This legislation would task the department of environmental conservation to look into new potential sources for recycled glass. PASSED BOTH HOUSES, WAITING FOR GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE
 
Requires State and Municipal Agencies to Purchase Compostable Single Use Tableware (S.1581)
Compelling our state and municipal agencies to purchase compostable single use silverware is an appropriate way to reduce the quantity of plastic waste that pollutes our environment and negatively impacts the health of New Yorkers.