Legislative Session Wrap-Up

Overall, New York State's 2008 legislative session resulted in positive progress for the Hudson Valley and our environment.

Actions taken by our our member-activists played a big role in helping Scenic Hudson and our partner organizations win some important victories at our state capitol this spring. Thanks to our combined efforts, legislation to reform the brownfields program, strengthen protections for Hudson Valley farms, and provide new incentives for renewable energy, green building and historic preservation are now on their way to Governor Paterson for consideration. Here are some details.

State Funding for Park Improvements at Long Dock Beacon

We're grateful to Senator Stephen Saland for his extraordinary efforts to secure $1.5 million in funding to help restore the Hudson River waterfront and create new park space at our Long Dock Beacon park! Sen. Saland also has joined with Scenic Hudson to support the Walkway Over the Hudson project.

A Stronger Farmland Protection Program

Scenic Hudson and its partners worked to pass legislation to make the state’s Farmland Preservation Program better scaled to protect Hudson Valley farms. The Governor is now considering bills that raise the amount the Department of Agriculture and Markets can grant for protecting working farms, as well as the eligibility of land trusts to receive these funds for use in the purchase of conservation easements.

Improved Brownfield Cleanup Program

Gov. Paterson and legislative leaders successfully negotiated reform of the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program at the 11th hour of the legislative session. The end result: modifications to encourage higher standards for cleanups, changes to the amount of the tangible property tax credit available for participation, and transfer of the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program from the Department of Environmental Conservation to the Department of State.

New Incentives for Green Building

New incentives were passed to encourage construction of new homes and the renovation of existing homes to meet "green building" standards. The program, which will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will be an important tool to address the root causes of climate change. Additional details are in this press release from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Net Metering Policy Encourages Clean Energy

Thanks to newly expanded "net metering" policies, New Yorkers who generate their own electricity via solar power, wind power or farm waste will be eligible for increased credits for the energy they produce.

Rehabilitation Tax Credit Encourages Restoration of Historic Buildings

By increasing the financial incentives for commercial developers to renovate historic buildings, this new legislation encourages development in downtown village and city centers, thereby limiting sprawl and reducing vehicle miles.

Global Warming Pollution Cap

Several bills were introduced this session that would have capped greenhouse gas emissions. The Assembly passed a version that would have reduced emissions by 80% by 2050; a similar bill was introduced in the Senate but was not voted on. Many believe there is fertile ground to revisit this goal in the next legislative session, as well as urge the state to create a plan to adapt to the projected effects of climate change.

Bottle Bill

Emboldened by a strong showing of support from Scenic Hudson’s members, nearly two-thirds of the Hudson Valley’s Assembly members voted in favor of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill. Legislators talked of a compromise on the issue, but ultimately the bill did not advance in the Senate. Scenic Hudson’s litter survey has demonstrated that an expanded bottle bill is needed to reduce litter along the Hudson River and in the region’s parks.