Environmental Watchdog Group Gives Schimel High Marks

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel was recently recognized for her efforts in support of causes supported by a state environmental watchdog group.

Schimel, D-Great Neck, Received a score of 100 percent from the Environmental Avocates of New York for her legislative support. Among the 15 bills used to calculate legislators’ scores were votes on the New York Solar bill, the Climate Protection Act and the Healthy Green Procurement Act.

Environmental Advocates monitors state government to evaluate proposed laws regarding environmental issues, according to the group's website.

A member of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, Schimel says she is opposed hydrofracking and supports a moratorium on this type of natural gas drilling.

According to a New York Times report titled “Report Outlines Rewards and Risks of Upstate Natural Gas Drilling", the state Department of Environmental Conservation says hydrofracking could create 37,000 jobs providing employment opportunities for numerous New Yorkers. This would lead to increased consumption from New York state businesses and would generate between $31 million to $185 million a year in added state income taxes.