Climate Change Preparedness Measure Poised to Pass

A measure that would require nearly all state-funded projects to account for the effects of future climate change in the planning process is poised to pass both chambers of the state Legislature, according to the bill’s sponsors. 

“We have a two-and-a-half-way agreement on it, between the Senate, Assembly and DEC,” said the bill’s Assembly sponsor, Environmental Committee Chair Robert Sweeney. “I’m assuming that DEC acted under the governor’s advice and direction, so we have what is essentially a three-way deal here.”

“We’re looking to pass it on Thursday,” Sweeney added.

The bill, which has been championed by environmental groups all along, now has the support of New York’s Business Council as well.

“We were able to work with the sponsor and address many of our concerns with the legislation,” said Darren Suarez, director of governmental affairs at the Business Council. “I believe that all of those involved would say that the final legislation is better as a result.”

For the Business Council, a major concern with the original bill language involved the difference between the words “mitigation” and “adaptation,” which had been used interchangeably. Mitigation, Suarez pointed out, involves curbing the magnitude of long-term climate change—reducing CO2 emissions, for example—whereas adaptation involves preparing for the physical manifestations resulting from climate change, such as rebuilding a home well above the anticipated future sea level.

The bill—both versions of which were last updated on Monday, just in time for the three-day waiting period required for legislation to come up for a vote after revision—has now been changed to reflect this difference. Peter Iwanowizc, executive director of the Environmental Advocates of New York, agreed with Suarez that the final measure is an improvement on the original.

“The bill is better in that it clarifies that the impacts are the physical impacts of climate change,” said Iwanowizc, who noted that the bill has also been amended to include future facilities designed for the bulk storage of petroleum.

But while Iwanowicz said there appears to be agreement between both houses for the bill to move, he is not certain about the governor.

“I am a skeptic and I don’t know where the governor’s office is on it,” he said.

State Sen. Diane Savino, the bill’s Senate sponsor, appeared pleased with the Business Council’s support.

“It’s amazing!” she said. “I got a memo in support! Shocked!”

Savino said she isn’t sure if the governor’s office has weighed in, but she sounded optimistic.

“The bill’s moving forward,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anybody from the Second Floor that’s indicated they have a problem with it.”

With reporting by Jon Lentz