Environmental

$65 million to combat harmful algae blooms: The 2018-19 NYS Budget included funding to fight against the growing problem of toxic algae blooms in our Upstate NY lakes, including Skaneateles Lake. The funds will be used to develop action plans to reduce sources of pollution that spark algal blooms, and provide grant funding to implement action plans, including the installation of new monitoring and treatment technologies.

Clean Water Infrastructure: The 2018-19 NYS Budget continued a multi-year $2.5 billion effort to rebuild and maintain our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Record Funding for the Environmental Protection Fund: The 2018-19 NYS Budget continued a record $300 million in yearly funding for the Environmental Protection Fund. This funding goes to help environmental conservation projects throughout the State, including many in Central NY.

Ending Plastic Bag Pollution: Assemblyman Magnarelli is a co-sponsor of legislation to combat the problem of plastic bag pollution (A.9953). This bill would ban the use of single-use carryout plastic bags and impose a 10 cent fee on other single-use bags and reusable bags. The funds from the fees will go to the State’s Environmental Protection Fund.

Climate & Community Protection Act: Assemblyman Magnarelli supports legislation to make NY a leader in combating climate change (A.8270-A). The bill would establish a 25 person New York State Climate Action Council with government, community and industry stakeholders to develop strategies to combat climate change. Additionally, this legislation would establish:

Greenhouse gas reporting requirements and Statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits:

A scoping plan, developed in consultation with the NYS Climate Action Council, the Environmental Justice Advisory Group, the Climate Justice Working Group and other stakeholders, outlining DEC's recommendations for attaining the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits;
Regulations to achieve statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions;
A report, not less than every four years, including recommendations regarding the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures; and
A report on barriers to and opportunities for community ownership of services and commodities in disadvantaged communities, including distributed renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, weathering investments, and zero emission and low-emission transportation options.

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Protecting our Environment