Senate Passes Deputy Leader Gianaris’ Environmental Justice Bill

ALBANY – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris announced the Senate passed his legislation (S.1232) that mandates equal treatment for all New Yorkers in environmental policy. This bill explicitly extends the protections of civil rights law into our state’s environmental laws. 

“Representing a frontline environmental justice community, I know that decisions of the past were not made with all New Yorkers in mind,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I am pleased the Senate has passed this important legislation and will continue to fight to protect New Yorkers from the threat of the climate crisis, especially those who have been left behind by previous policies.” 

Senator Gianaris has been an environmental champion throughout his public service. With Senator Gianaris serving as Deputy Majority Leader, the Senate enacted the CLCPA, a historic law to combat the climate crisis. The CLCPA mandates aggressive reductions in statewide greenhouse gas emissions, improves resiliency efforts, ensures local job creation through energy transition, and promotes environmental justice by controlling the regressive impacts of climate change. He has been recognized for his efforts with perfect scores from Environmental Advocates Action and the League of Conservation Voters.