Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara again received an A+ rating from the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) for his legislative work on environmental issues this past session. NYLCV is the only statewide environmental organization in New York that advocates for clean water, clean air, renewable energy and open space.

NYLCV scored Assemblyman Santabarbara’s legislative performance on 16 bills that he sponsored during this year’s session, twelve of which passed the Assembly. Assemblyman Santabarbara championed all 16 measures, including the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that was recently signed into law (Chapter 106 of 2019), the Child Safe Products Act (A. 6296-A) that bans chemicals that have been proven to be harmful to human health from children’s products, and a measure that would aligns New York’s water saving performance standards with the federal guidelines (A. 2286).

In addition to his legislative work Santabarbara, a civil engineer, was cited for a his advocacy on local environmental issues in Montgomery County portion of his district where has fought to protect natural resources and quality of life in rural communities; noting that the Glen Canal View Business Park in the town of Glen was targeted for a bio-solid sewage (LYSTEK) facility last year. The proposal would have sited a sewage sludge facility over an existing aquifer in the Glen Industrial Park. The proposal was ultimately withdrawn after Assemblyman Santabarbara introduced a bill in the State Assembly calling for a moratorium on such facilities in New York State until environmental concerns could be further examined. And earlier this year his efforts to protect the town of Mohawk, also in Montgomery County, from an annexation proposal that has targeted 260 acres of farmland for industrial uses by the City of Johnstown in Fulton County.

“We are seeing increased interest in environmental protection as more and more communities are seeing forest areas lost to industrial uses that can cause damage to the environment and put natural resources at risk,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “I’m proud to receive an A+ RATING again this year from the New York League of Conservation Voters – clean water, clean air, renewable energy, if elected leaders are serious about safeguarding public health, they cannot compromise on these important issues,” Santabarbara said. “I remain committed to protecting our environment and the precious natural resources here in our upstate communities. There’s nothing more important than the health of our families.”

“Congratulations to my friend Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara for earning this distinction from the League of Conservation Voters recognizing his work over the previous term as a true environmental champion in our New York State legislature,” said U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko.

“Farmland is not just something pretty to look at, farmland is our future. Assemblyman Santabarbara is wise enough to understand that without farms we have nothing. His proposed bill isn’t only protecting our farm, it is protecting our future,” said Cara Bruno and Tony Bruno, members of Saving T.O.M. (Town of Mohawk). “I’m so thankful for the Assemblyman caring about and fighting for us and his A+ rating does not surprise me one bit. He is using his platform and his voice with integrity, honesty and courage to fight for the good of our communities and that is a trait I not only commend, but wish more of our elected officials would have.”

“Angelo Santabarbara is committed to defending our forests and farmland and to seek to assure that every transformation of these lands is considered thoroughly and with great thoughtfulness. He recognizes the impacts that loss of these resources can have on the community’s health and well-being and seeks to make more opportunities for communities to provide guidance and feedback when natural resources are at risk,” said Steve Helmin, Board Member of C.A.L.L. (Citizens Against Local Landfills). “Thank you Assemblyman Santabarbara for your continued leadership on these and other environmental issues.”