This week, I introduced legislation to require appropriate financial insurance for crude oil facilities. This legislation that would ensure that crude oil storage facilities must meet increased financial criteria and requirements to prevent taxpayers to be on the hook in the case of any accidents. This Petroleum Storage Surety bill would apply to crude oil stored at all bulk storage facilities in New York State and require financial security to meet all responsibilities for cleanup and decontamination costs associated with the release of such oil. The transport of crude oil by rail has increased exponentially nationwide over the past five years, from over 9,000 carloads of crude oil in 2008 to over 400,000 in 2013, and the need for storage facilities has expanded accordingly. There is a heightened awareness of safety issues related to the transportation and storage of crude oil and the Petroleum Surety bill is one attempt to address the negative impacts of any mishandling and improper storage of crude oil. Rail transportation of crude oil is regulated by federal law whereas bulk storage of crude oil is governed by state law. Conservation easement Exemptions. I have introduced legislation with Senator Breslin that will allow for the Town of Bethlehem to provide conservation easement exemptions for open space. Bethlehem is a model community for land use planning. This legislation provides for Bethlehem to advance their open space preservation program in a transparent and fair manner.. Commentary in Times Union concerning E23. This week, the Albany Times Union published my thoughts and concerns on the proposed E23 project that would bring a casino into Albany. Nationally, casinos have a mixed record of sustained economic success — from casino bankruptcies in Atlantic City, to the expansion of "Sin City" in Las Vegas. If not carefully executed, the impact of casinos on communities can be devastating, with higher crime rates, depressed property values and increased gambling addiction and bankruptcies. DEC extends public comment for Global Companies site. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation extended the public comment period for the Global Companies permit application at the Port of Albany for an additional 60 days until August 1 due to broad public and community interest. Comments on the permit can be submitted to DEC by August 1 via email to r4dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Events in and around the 109th: Freihofer’s Run for Women this weekend. I’ll be participating in the thirty-sixth annual Freihofer’s Run for Women on Saturday, May 31 starting at 9:45 a.m. The start and finish lines are located on Madison Avenue, between the Empire State Plaza and the New York State Museum. Delmar Farmers Market opens. The Delmar Farmers Market opens on Saturday, May 31 for its sixth season. The market is located in Bethlehem Center Middle School (322 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Over 60 fresh food and craft vendors will participate. For more information, visit their Web site. Free performances outside of the Egg. The Egg will be hosting free performances outside of the main entrance to its facility each Wednesday at noon throughout the summer starting on June 4. For more information, visit their Web site. Free summer camps for kids. The Plumeri Sports Complex is running a series of free summer camps from July through August. The camps are open to kids 5 to 10 (space is limited). You must register your child by Friday, July 27. For more information, call (518) 694-5189. Session 1: July 7 to July 10
Session 2: July 14 to July 17
Session 3: July 21 to July 24
Session 4: July 28 to July 31
Session 5: August 4 to 7 Job Opportunities: I’ve set up a page on my Assembly website for job announcements and listings that we’ll update periodically. If you know of any job listings, send my office a note. Capital District Assembly Update: Tune in every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on Channel 17 (for Time Warner Cable subscribers) for the next episode of Capital District Assembly Update, co-hosted by Assemblymember McDonald and me. You can also previous episodes and clips on my Assembly website. As always, for the latest about my office’s happenings or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note. Sincerely --- Pat