Action Alert: Tell Albany to Green Up Its Brownfields Program

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Thursday, September 02, 2010

Tell Albany to Green Up Its Brownfields Program

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

Fix the Clean Up Program. Promote Environmental Protection and Economic Development

Background

Brownfields are developed commercial properties where prior activity may have caused low-level pollution, such as leaks from underground fuel storage tanks at gas stations. These sites are difficult to redevelop because there may be legal and financial burdens associated with their cleanup.

However, they also represent golden opportunities for the people of New York State. By redeveloping brownfields, we can invest in already developed land throughout the state (i.e., downtown areas) instead of building on pristine open space (i.e. farmland and other undeveloped properties).

In 2003, the state enacted a groundbreaking brownfields law. However, in the years since its implementation, some of its programs are encumbered by structural flaws that either restrain redevelopment or fund projects that do not represent the best use of limited tax dollars.

Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

Assemblymember James N. Tedisco
Assemblymember Robert K. Sweeney
Assemblymember Sheldon Silver
Senator Antoine M. Thompson
Senator Carl L. Marcellino
Senator Malcolm A. Smith
Senator Roy J. McDonald
Governor
Your State Representative
Your State Senator

A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.

Please Fix the Brownfield Cleanup Program This Year

Dear Assemblymember Tedisco,
By cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields, we can encourage sustainable economic development policies that reduce sprawl and encourage higher density and transit-oriented development. We can also begin the process of reversing suburban and urban sprawl and start building more sustainable communities throughout the state.

As a member of the New York League of Conservation Voters, I am writing you to urge you to correct the structural flaws in the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program that restrain the ability of communities to reach the goals of the brownfields legislation.

A reconstituted BCP program must balance efforts to control program costs with necessary incentives for development. Similarly, projects that are in a BOA should meet demonstrated economic need.

Problems like these must be corrected in order to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of these programs, for the sake of New York's environment and economy.

Thank you for your consideration.
Your name and address here

This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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