Make your opinions known to decision-makers on issues of importance to you and New York League of Conservation Voters. http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/alertlist.asp Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:05:26 GMT Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:05:26 GMT en-us action alerts thedatabank, inc. Technology for Change. http://www.thedatabank.com/
On Friday, June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. As the nation's first comprehensive effort to fight climate change, this legislation is a bold and necessary step that holds the promise of creating new industries and millions of new jobs, decreasing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and strictly limiting the release of pollutants that threaten the health of families and communities -- and the planet itself. New York's Congressional delegation supported the legislation, despite opposition from deep-pocketed interests in the fossil fuel industry. Please take a moment to thank your Congress member for this courageous step and for charting a new course for America's energy future.

Deadline for action: 8/1/2009.]]> http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4132 http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4132 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:12:17 GMT
Nearly 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in New York come from the city's existing buildings. Our homes and offices do more to damage our climate and atmosphere than our cars. Finding a way to reduce energy consumption and make our existing infrastructure more green are critical to New York's efforts to fight climate change and build a sustainable 21st-century city and economy. New York City's largest buildings account for approximately 45 percent of the city's total energy consumption. This package of green buildings legislation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and business operating costs by requiring benchmarking, audits and retrofits, and lighting upgrades in 22,000 buildings throughout the five boroughs. NYLCV strongly urges the City Council to take swift action on this groundbreaking package of legislation. Int. 467-A (Introduced by Council Member Mark-Viverito) This legislation would require building owners to use a free, online tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess their buildings' energy consumption. This legislation will not require residential tenants to disclose information to a landlord. Int. 973 (Introduced by Council Member Recchia) Lighting is responsible for almost 20 percent of the energy used in New York City's buildings and electricity usage accounts for 49 percent of New York City's carbon emissions. This legislation would require that all buildings larger than 50,000 gross square feet upgrade to more efficient lighting technology by 2022. The bill specifies that lighting upgrades be completed with other renovations and will not apply to residential living spaces. Int. 967 (Introduced by Council Member Gennaro) Existing buildings are contributing 79 percent of the city's overall greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation would require buildings larger than 50,000 gross square feet to conduct an energy audit once every 10 years and to undertake energy-saving retrofits that will improve the efficiency and limit the carbon footprint of these spaces. Int. 564-A (Introduced by Council Member Garodnick) This legislation would create a local New York City Energy Code, which would require that new equipment installed during a renovation meet current efficiency standards. The bill would ensure reductions in cost and energy as well as contribute to the creation of green jobs.

Deadline for action: 8/1/2009.]]> http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4093 http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4093 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:20:09 GMT
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electronic waste (e-waste) is growing 2-3 times faster than any other segment of the waste stream. In 2005 more than two million tons of used electronics were discarded nationwide and less than 15 percent of them were recycled. Improper disposal of computers, televisions, printers and other devices releases toxic chemicals including lead, mercury, chromium, and cadmium, threatening public health and the environment. Albany needs to enact a law that would require that manufacturers of electronics be responsible for the collection, handling and recycling or reuse of discarded electronic equipment. This would require them to submit an e-waste management plan to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) by 2011, collect a minimum of 25 percent of annual equipment sales each year by 2016, and increase the collection rate to 45 percent by 2018. In addition, any e-waste bill should require that the manufacturers be responsible for costs associated with the development and implementation the plans, prohibiting the imposition of collection fees on consumers.

Deadline for action: 7/23/2009.]]> http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4092 http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4092 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:20:35 GMT
Over the past 30 years, New York City bus ridership has increased by 53 percent. This has caused an increase in traffic congestion, due in part to vehicles other than buses utilizing bus-only lanes. In addition to slowing traffic, congested bus lanes cause vehicles to idle, releasing pollution into the air. A bill in the state Legislature (S. 2709/A. 862) would create a program to improve New York City bus mobility by installing cameras to photograph vehicles using bus lanes. This will improve enforcement of bus-lane use and create more efficient bus service for residents and visitors. New York City's initial experiments with limited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Fordham Road in the Bronx and 34th Street in Manhattan have been tremendously successful. The city is preparing to move forward with more BRT routes in the near future. This legislation will provide a critical component for the success of BRT by allowing the efficient ticketing of private motor vehicles that are illegally using traffic lanes dedicated for transit vehicles. Improving the enforcement of laws meant to keep traffic flowing has multiple benefits for residents and the environment. Decreasing congestion will help ensure the safety of pedestrians and will allow drivers to reach their destinations more quickly. Improving traffic flow will also decrease the smog, global warming and acid rain that result from the release of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants from idling and slow-moving vehicles. This legislation is restricted to 50 miles of BRT routes in New York City and specifies that the cameras can only be used between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Deadline for action: 7/23/2009.]]> http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4079 http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4079 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:21:07 GMT
New York State's energy sector is far too reliant on dirty and increasingly expensive fossil fuels. Creating a clean-energy future is critical not only for New York's environment and our ongoing battle against climate change but also for our economic prosperity and the livability of our communities. Traditional energy sources are unpredictable and increasingly expensive. It is essential that we commit ourselves to developing alternative energy resources and building a clean-energy economy. Local governments can and should be leaders in this effort. While the cost of renewable energy has decreased dramatically in recent years, power from solar and wind systems is still more expensive than traditionally generated power sources. Under state law, local governments are required to purchase power (as well as other products) from the cheapest possible source. In many instances this law prohibits local governments from purchasing renewable power. By doing so the state is inadvertently hampering the market for renewable energy and impeding the growth of the state's burgeoning clean tech economy. S. 4599 would allow local governments to purchase clean energy at a limited additional cost. It is an important step towards improving New York's commitment toward building a clean and sustainable energy future.

Deadline for action: 7/23/2009.]]> http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4083 http://nylcv.e-actionmax.com/takeaction.asp?aaid=4083 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:20:51 GMT