Peter Iwanowicz, the Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of N.Y., spoke to the LWV via Zoom on April 29. He passionately explained the goals of the organization, thanked the LWV for its work on climate change and voting rights, and laid out a significant environmental plan for NY. Environmental Advocates works with many partners attempting to steer the legislature and governor to adopt green management of water quality, climate, land use etc. It promotes specific goals and time lines, such as elimination of styrofoam and plastic in restaurants and increased use of Electric buses. The main priorities for this year are:
A) Get $1 billion dollars in the state budget for our aging water infrastructure
B) Get $1 billion in the state budget to jumpstart an economy wide shift off fossil fuels
C) Advance solutions to the solid waste crisis.
In 2019 the legislature passed a record number of bills to protect the environment. The highlight was the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
This bill is touted as the most far reaching law for Climate protection ever passed anywhere. The purpose is to move NYS to a carbon neutral economy by the year 2050. There are many intermediate dates and subgoals to be achieved along the way to make sure that we actually get to the final goal. It is also the first law to emphasize social justice and the right to a healthy environment. CLCPA provides for a Climate Action Team, representing various constituencies, to be appointed to lay out a blueprint to reach those goals. Peter was appointed to the Committee by the Governor. He reported that he is one of two of the 23 people on the Climate Action Council who was appointed to represent the general public. He welcomes questions and ideas at 518-528-5080 or peteriwanowicz@eany.org.
Although the CLCPA has passed both houses of the Legislature and been signed by the Governor, it has only begun to be funded. There will be a large Bond Act to be voted on at the November Election. This will give the general public a chance to show their support/or lack thereof for environmental protection. Peter talked about large amounts for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) where we are partnering on projects with neighboring states, $550 million for Land Conservation and $700 million for climate change mitigation. In responding to an observation that, in the past, these funds have been raided to balance the budget and in light of the huge deficit from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis what can we expect? His response was that, the hope is, this money will be treated as stimulus funds to provide jobs and rebuild the economy similar to what was done following The Great Depression. It is hoped that the 2021 budget continues the State’s leadership on, and commitment to , meeting its long-term climate and clean energy goals in ways that will create and maintain jobs in New York when today’s public health crisis has abated.
Peter responded to many questions including: where electric energy comes from, stating that nuclear and biofuels have many negatives. He compared the true value of fossil fuel energy— we actually benefit from about 25% of what is produced, compared to 75% of solar, wind, etc. He talked about making the siting of electric generating stations more local to reduce the large amount of energy lost by long distance transmission. He gave us a vision of using batteries of electric vehicles to store solar energy during off peak hours.
Peter’s presentation was galvanizing for those of us who watched. Where should we go from here?
For more information on CLCPA go to its website: climate.NY.gov
This will help to understand the bill, follow its progress and you may sign up for email updates
Joanna Lasher