Earth Day Advocacy Day 2022
For Immediate Release: Contact: Paul Webster, Clean & Healthy NY
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 (518) 603-9297 – paul@cleanhealthyny.org
2022 Hybrid Earth Day Advocacy Day to Advance Clean Air, Clean Water, Toxic Free Policies; Promote $4.2B Enviro Bond Act Initiatives on November Ballot
ALBANY, NY – April 26, 2022 – Over 20 organizations representing a wide swath of the environmental movement in New York held virtual and in-person meetings on Tuesday in the Capitol and Legislative Office Building to push a package of legislation that will strengthen the state’s environmental protections and ban the use of harmful chemicals like PFAS, which are found in many consumer goods like personal care products, menstrual products and apparel. The alliance of environmental health and environmental justice groups represent every region of the state and more than two million New Yorkers. Advocates met with 67 legislators and advanced bills in five tracks:
“Right now, it is a critical time for our state’s leaders to take action on comprehensive policies that provide the public with greater protections for vulnerable New York communities; reduce toxic exposures statewide, especially in low-income areas and communities of color and build our economy by promoting green jobs and renewables,” said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean and Healthy New York, coordinator of the Earth Day Advocacy Day 2022 efforts. “Our coalition has prioritized key areas that address New York’s legacy of contamination.”
The collaboration of activists pointed to vital unfinished business in key areas that need agreement between legislative leaders and Governor Hochul in the final five weeks of the legislative session, which is scheduled to end on June 3rd. Several of these issues will help New York align with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection act (CLCPA) enacted into law in 2019.
“We have seen disadvantaged communities across the state suffer higher rates of illness and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, with studies linking the higher incidence of chronic diseases to the adverse health impacts of air pollution and other forms of pollution, which studies also link to the cumulative impacts of exposure in these communities,” said Sonal Jessel, MPH, Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “We need to stop treating these communities as dumping grounds for pollution and other hazards, including lead paint in older homes and mercury and other toxic chemicals in personal care products.”
“On the heels of the most recent devastating report from the IPCC, it is crucial for New York to pass bold climate legislation this session so we can meet our climate mandates,” said Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate with Earthjustice. “Continued reliance upon fossil fuels is already having a cost on the health and lives of everyday New Yorkers. Earthjustice is proud to advocate alongside our partners for a needed package of legislation that will move New York off fossil fuels and towards an all-electric future, and protect our land, water and disadvantaged communities from pollution. We urge the legislature to take this year’s Earth Day as an opportunity to pass strong environmental and climate measures.”
“A strong economy depends on a healthy environment and citizenry,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council. “If passed, these bills stand to create green jobs and strengthen our local economies by safeguarding New York and New Yorkers through critical drinking water protections, smart chemical regulation, and long overdue environmental justice measures. New York business leaders call on our State Legislature to take action now.”
“This Earth Day Advocacy Day, we are grateful for the recent passage of a state budget that has eclipsed, by hundreds of millions of dollars, any previous investment in the protection of New York’s environment” said Roger Downs, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "But these historic appropriations still fall short of the funding and policy steps that are essential in order to stave off the worst impacts of the impending climate catastrophe. As the 2022 Legislative Session enters its final few weeks, the Sierra Club looks forward to working with the Legislature and Governor Hochul to ensure bold new laws are passed to help New York become an equitable and zero emissions society. This includes addressing the pervasive use of toxics like neonicotinoids and PFAS, establishing zero emissions building codes, banning new gas power plants and gas hookups in all new construction, preserving our remaining wild places, and so much more."
“Every year, we come together around Earth Day to press for passage of legislation that would benefit the environment,” said Kate Kutera, Deputy Director, Environmental Advocates NY.” “The legislation we advocate for has a profound impact on the health and well-being of the almost 20 million people that call New York home. Our air, water, communities and climate deserve our care and protection. We are excited that once again this year, our Legislature will step up to the challenge and deliver for our communities and our environment.”
"With regard to PFAS bills, the science is that these chemicals have enough toxicity concerns to both humans and the environment that they should be banned from as many uses as possible,” said Loreen H. Hackett, a Hoosick Falls resident and activist. “Water isn't the only pathway of exposure as studies have proven. Due to their ubiquity and bioaccumulation, this is an ongoing, serious public health threat that needs to be stopped at the source for the health of our families."
“This Earth Day advocates have come together to highlight the biggest environmental priorities in New York. We worked collaboratively to craft a comprehensive legislative agenda to protect our water, land and pollinators, as well as address solid waste, toxics, and environmental justice issues. This agenda will prove to be truly transformative for New York.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). “Enacting paper and packaging EPR will reduce waste, increase recycling, save taxpayers money, and protect our treasured waters. Banning unnecessary uses of neonicotinoid pesticides will go a long way in protecting our declining pollinator populations, food production, and environment. CCE is proud to stand with our environmental colleagues and advocates from across the State in calling on the New York State Legislature to take action on these issues and more this Earth Day!”
“The Legislature has a chance to reduce not only our climate emissions but also New Yorkers’ energy bills by billions of dollars in passing the Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Bill, said Deb Peck Kelleher, Director of Policy at the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. “Weatherized buildings and stronger appliance energy standards let us celebrate Earth Day with more money in our pockets,”
“New York has more children with elevated blood levels than any other State, with our children of color and children living in poverty at a particularly high risk of childhood lead exposure and poisoning. Our children and youth deserve to live in homes that are healthy, lead-safe and climate-ready,” said Ben Anderson, Director of Health and Economic Mobility Policy with the Children’s Defense Fund – New York. “Childhood lead poisoning represents a grave – and entirely preventable – threat to the health and well-being of New York’s children and families. Our State must act swiftly and with urgency to rectify this racial, environmental and moral injustice by using Environmental Bond Act funding to find and fix lead hazards in housing and by passing policies to ensure that the youngest New Yorkers’ homes are free from the dangers of lead.”
At the forefront of the New York advocates legislative push are bills related to five key areas:
Advancing Environmental Justice:
Cumulative Impacts: S.1031C (Stewart-Cousins) / A.2103C (Pretlow)
Enhanced Public Participation: S.3211B (Ramos) / A.6530B (Barnwell)
Clearing the Toxic Air: S.4371B (Biaggi) / A.6150 (Septimo)
Mercury in Skin Lightening Cream: S.8291 (Brouk) / A.8630 (Reyes)
Environmental Health/ Eliminating Harmful Toxics:
Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Act: S.3331 (Rivera) / A.143 (Gottfried)
Birds and Bees Protection Act: S.699B (Hoylman) / A.7429A (Englebright) [no same as]
PFAS in Apparel: S. 6291 (Hoylman) / A.7063 (Fahy)
Landlord Insurance for Lead Based Paint: S.3079A (Ryan) / A.7488A (Rivera JD)
Lead Based Paint Disclosure Act: S.2142 (Kavanagh) / A.6608A (Rivera JD)
Protecting Water Resources:
Water Bill Fairness Act: A.9445 (Gallagher)
Private Well Testing Act: S.0048 (Hoylman) / A.9533 (Abinati)
Protection of Certain Streams: S.4162 (Harckham) / A.6652 (Englebright)
Land Use & Conservation / Responsible Solid Waste Management:
30% of NYS Land Conserved by 2030: S.6191 (Kaminsky) / A.5390 (Fahy)
Community Preservation and Housing Funds: S.7041 (Ryan) / A.7632 (Thiele)
NYS Deforestation Free Procurement Act: S.5921 (Krueger) / A.6872 (Zebrowski)
Renewable Energy & Improving Climate Readiness:
Building codes package: Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2021: S.7176 (Parker) / A.8143 (Fahy) & Gas Transition & Affordable Energy Act: S.8198 (KRUEGER)/ A.9329 (Fahy)
Lift the ZEV Sales Cap: S.1763 (Kaminsky) / A.4614 (Fahy)
Crypto Moratorium: S.6486C (Parker)/ A.7389C (Kelles)
Energy Efficiency Equity and Jobs Act: S. 3126B (Parker) / 3996B (Hunter)
All Electric Buildings Act: S.6843B (Kavanagh) / A.8341B (Gallagher)
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