Dems Debate the Environment

Though both democrats, Tom Abinanti and Anna Sterne bring different experiences and ideas to their campaigns for NY State Assemblyman from the 92nd District.

While Sterne said the main thrust of her campaign was education and increased support for public schools, Abinanti said his record showed environmentalism as his outstanding strength.  

Patch spoke with both candidates about environmental issues including: energy efficiency, conservation, land use, water, Indian Point and why each felt he or she should represent the District in Albany.

Patch: What do you see as the largest environmental concerns shared by residents of the 92^nd Assembly District?

Sterne: First, I am most concerned about hydrofracking and water quality. I am thoroughly convinced—though hydrofracking is not currently in our backyard—if you ruin our water, you ruin the water.  That's that.

I also believe we need to find alternative energy sources. I work in Peekskill, very close to Indian Point. They will tell me they are testing the alarms at the plant, and we won't hear anything at all; I think that is a huge lack of oversight. If anything happened there, we would all be dead!

Abinanti: There are significant challenges here in preserving the clean drinking water, air and open space. We are threatened by the potential of a mishap at Indian Point and we are overwhelmed by traffic. Finally, the issues of solid waste disposal and recycling are crucial to protecting the local environment. I believe protecting the environment requires understanding the community at large and having the ability to identify potential disasters—look at the gulf disaster!

Patch: If elected to go to serve the District in Albany, what would be your primary environmental goals?

Sterne: I believe sustainability is often common sense and money-saving in one. In the schools, for example, we had state incentives to install motion-detected light switches to save energy. The school ended up saving an enormous amount of money, but initially took action because of the incentive. I would want to do more of that and create incentives for businesses and individuals to recycle and use more energy-efficient technology. 

Abinanti: I would work to extend statewide what I have already accomplished in Westchester. For example, one law I authored makes idling your car for more than three minutes illegal anywhere in the county—that should be a state law.

Another law I spearheaded requires anyone doing business with the county that uses diesel fuel to use a low-sulfur variety. And at the state level, a major goal would be to pass a law reducing sulfur levels in home heating oil. I would also aim to extend county legislation that sets specific goals for air pollution reduction—polluted air knows no bounds.

In terms of water preservation, I recently helped pass a ban on phosphorus in fertilizers that just went into effect, and several years ago I helped pass a law controlling the use of pesticides.

I worked on a law that upgrades sewage treatment plants—which pollute the Hudson River—and reformed laws on septic systems throughout the county. We are currently pushing for flood control laws, which I believe, will require substantial assistance from the State. 

A final goal would be to enact statewide flood legislation.  There has recently been major flooding in Tarrytown and Hartsdale—we need to set up a mechanism in which flood areas are monitored and controlled by experts. It's something that needs to be addressed by the state.

Patch: What are your feelings on preservation and land use?  What can be done at a state-level to promote green space?

Sterne: I am big on having shared space, and preserving green space in the district. I think a huge element of this is public outreach and education—I don't think many people know what resources they have around them. 

My husband and son are currently hiking on the Appalachian Trail—they plan to do the whole thing, hiking a section every summer.  I'm setting up a "Hiking with Anna" program to promote more use and appreciation of our green spaces.

Abinanti: I have been a major player in the County Legislature in preserving parkland in Westchester. Examples are: Hastings' Hillside Woods, Hartsdale's Harts Brook, and Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. I have also been a strong proponent of preserving land that surrounds water sources, because if you let the land get contaminated, it ruins the water.

I believe in smart growth and environmentally sound expansion. I think you can have both a good environment and a good economy—in fact, one depends on the other. We can save on energy coats by encouraging green building. I have passed legislation here in Westchester that gives tax breaks for using solar power. It's good on a county-level; it would be great on the state-level. 

Statewide, we need to stop the destruction of open space by encouraging development in community centers and limiting work in green areas. This will help to reduce traffic because people will be able to walk where they need to go.

Patch: What about Indian Point?

Sterne: I believe we need to put more regulations on Indian Point.  I know that in theory, there are supposed to be disaster drills in schools as far down as Dobbs Ferry, but I know for a fact there has never been a drill in these schools. 

Environmentally, I believe there should be more regulations on their practices.  I read an article recently about how Indian Point circulates 2.5 billion gallons of water from the Hudson River every to day to cool the plant and then dumps the heated water back into the river. I believe they should be forced to implement a "closed loop" system, which would reuse the same water for that purpose.

Abinanti: I believe Indian Point should be closed—it is 1960's technology that is unsafe at any cost. I have been calling for the closing of the plant since 1983.  In 2013 and 2015 the two operating plants' licenses will expire; I intend to fight for the licenses not to be renewed. 

I believe there will be more than enough energy to replace Indian Point from a combination of other sources and conservation. Alternative renewable energy sources include: hydropower, wind and solar power.

Patch: Why does your experience either equal or trump that of your opponent in solving environmental issues?

Sterne: Having been on the school board, I have experience talking to people about issues and getting them on board with projects.  I know Mr. Abinanti has the experience as a legislator, but I have worked closely with legislators as well.  I can speak from personal experience about issues. I will be good at this job because I am persistent but not annoying.

Abinanti: I have demonstrated I know how to make government work for the community; I have worked very hard successfully to assure that we have clean water, air and green spaces.  Ideas don't translate into action; you need skills to know how to make government work. 

*Check back next week when Abinanti and Sterne discuss their plans to promote jobs locally.