Yonkers Insider: New York League of Conservation Voters: Environmental News for June 13th.

 

Here’s what we’re reading this week:

Something All Five Borough Presidents Agree On: The Million More Trees Initiative It’s rare to see borough presidents working together, but there is one initiative that all five can get behind– trees. In February, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine introduced a new project alongside Vanessa Gibson of the Bronx, Antonio Reynoso of Brooklyn, Donovan Richards of Queens, and Vito Fossella of Staten Island. They are calling on Mayor Adams to plant one million new trees by 2030.  Read More

Greentips: Eco-Friendly Summer Staples! With the summer season officially upon us, families and friends are starting to head to the nearest beaches to escape the heat. Some essentials for these trips may include swimwear, bodyboards, hair ties, and sunscreen. Although all of these products are almost guaranteed to make sure you have a good time out in the sun, there are some ways to ensure you protect the ocean and marine life as well.  Read More

Will New Yorkers Vote "Green" This Fall? The $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act, Explained   New Yorkers have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to voice their support for building resilience and mitigation strategies in the face of climate change at the polls on November 8.  The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is a $4.2 billion legislatively referred bond question that will be on the voters’ ballot at the general election.  By voting yes, a voter supports the state issuing $4.2 billion in general obligation bonds for projects related to the environment, natural resources, water infrastructure, and climate change mitigation.    Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, notes that there will also be requirements that projects under the Bond Act use competitive wages and contract local unions when possible.  “We’re excited about that because we want to make sure the jobs generated from the Bond Act are family-sustaining jobs,” Tighe says. “This is not just going to be fixing our pipes and parks but also supporting our families and communities.”   (Examiner +)

Council Considers Faster Timeline to Phase Out Polluting Heating Oil in NYC Buildings   Legislators are considering a measure that would phase out a heavily polluting heating oil—prevalent in buildings in environmental justice communities and in more than 200 city schools—sooner than planned. The City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection met Tuesday to discuss a newly introduced bill banning heating oil No. 4 by 2025, five years earlier than was agreed upon when Local Law 43 passed in 2010. Representatives from WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the New York League of Conservation Voters were among those who testified in favor of the measure, which was sponsored by Gennaro and five other Council members.   (CityLimits)

Is now the ‘right time’ for congestion pricing?   Environmental advocates were also instrumental in the passage of the 2019 congestion pricing bill. One of those groups, the New York League of Conservation Voters, endorsed Hochul for her first full term last week. The organization’s president, Julie Tighe, didn’t think the governor was walking back her support for transit.   “The MTA in the many conversations we’ve had with them is committed to getting this done,” she said. “I think that it’s a missed opportunity for the governor to highlight the valuable components of congestion pricing given the platform at the debate. But I think they’ve clarified she’s supportive of congestion pricing and committed to moving it forward.”   (City & State NY)