The Radon Bill has passed through it's first committee (Health)! Now we need to get it through Codes Committee--please help get 3 Democratic sign ons
The Radon Bill has passed through it's first committee (Health)! Now we need to get it through Codes Committee--please help get 3 Democratic sign ons to this bill!
Only Two Days to Call Committee Members!
THIS IS A BIG JOB AND WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME: The vote within the Codes Committee could happen AS EARLY AS MONDAY. Please call before 5pm Friday or first thing Monday morning! (Emails can be sent over the weekend, too.) When you call the Albany number, ask to speak to the Legislative Director. When you reach the district office, ask to speak to the chief of staff. Adapt the call script to your own words:
Here's the Call Script:
I’m calling to ask for your support ofA6863-B, which protects consumers from radon. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and kills more people each year than drunk driving. Changes in the statewide gas supply could create a public health risk, New pipelines are designed to carry gas from Marcellus drill sites in Pennsylvania directly into New York. Marcellus shale is extremely radioactive–potentially 20-to-70 times higher than where we used to get our gas from–and so close to end users in NY that there won’t be sufficient transit time for radioactive decay to happen. Before this gas gets delivered to consumers, utilities need to guarantee it won’t contain dangerous levels of radon, and that’s what this bill will do. It will require utilities to monitor and mitigate radon levels in delivered gas.
Can we get your commitment to vote "yes" on this bill? I will follow up by sending a link to the bill and the recent hearing by email when we hang up.
Here's Who to Call:
See list at right.
Those highlighted in green have either already signed on to the bill or can be expected to vote "yes." (6 votes)
The 9 highlighted in blue are Democrats. We need at least two "blue" names from this list to become "green" names. All the contact info for each of these legislators is listed below.
Got 2 minutes? Copy and paste the above text and email it to all 9 legislators (addresses below). Since you will not be a constituent of every district, explain that you are a concerned citizen.
Got 5 minutes? Pick the person below whose district is closest to where you live and call them.
Got 30 minutes? Call all 9 blue names--and read below for fabulous rewards (not just in heaven)! Think of it as speed dating for a cause!
Those highlighted in red are Republicans, and we can't count on their votes (7 votes). If you are feeling chatty, go ahead and call them too--Republican voters are just as much at risk from radon as much as democratic citizens!
Contact Info for Legislators:
Hint--Mention that you are:
• A constituent / A constituent in a nearby district
• Grew up / went to school / once lived / are married to someone who's from the district, etc.
• Concerned about risks from radon / pipelines / climate change / sea level rise.
• Especially concerned for residents at risk from 24/7 exposure from older pilot light stoves.
Helene Weinstein: Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie and East Flatbush. District Map. Relevant Bio: In addition to sitting on the Codes Committee, the Assemblywoman also sits on the Ways and Means Committee, where the bill will be sent next. Her district is adjacent to Floyd Bennet Field, where the Rockaway pipeline is planned, and is physically near where the National Grid system connects to the Williams-Transco line on Flatbush Avenue. Her neighboring Assembly Member, Steve Cymbrowitz, voted yes on the bill Tuesday.
Albany: 518-455-5462 District: 718-648-4700
WeinstH@assembly.state.ny.us
Michelle Titus: Far Rockaway, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens, Laurelton, Rosedale, JFK Airport. District Map. Relevant Bio: Her district includes areas that sit adjacent to Gateway National Park where the Rockaway pipeline will supply fracked Marcellus shale gas via the National Grid system. Her district is subject to flooding even in normal rain storms and suffered heavily during Sandy, Irene and smaller storms.
Albany: 518-455-5668 District: 718-327-1845
TitusM@assembly.state.ny.us
Danny O'Donnell: Upper West Side. District Map. Relevant Bio: Assemblyman O'Donnell is well known for his anti-fracking stance, as a champion of the Marriage Equality Act, and for being almost as funny as his sister. He is also deeply aware of the radon issue, having previously signed on to co-sponsor an alternate radon bill. He sits on the Environmental Conservation committee as well as Codes.
Albany: 518-455-5603 District: 212-866-3970
OdonnellD@assembly.state.ny.us
J. Gary Pretlow: Mount Vernon and Yonkers. District Map. Relevant Bio: In addition to sitting on the Codes Committee, the Assemblyman also sits on the Ways and Means Committee, where the bill will be sent next. His district is served by the Con Ed system that connects to the Spectra pipeline and includes a large number of low-income housing where pilot-light stoves may be prevalent.
Albany: 518-455-5291 District: 914-667-0127
PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Keith L.T. Wright: Central and West Harlem. District Map. Relevant Bio: Chair of the Housing Committee, and a lifelong resident of Harlem. His district includes the newly-enlarged Williams-Transco pipeline and metering station near the Harlem Fairway at 134th Street and the Hudson River. That pipeline transports Marcellus shale gas from Pennsylvania via the Northeast Supply Link. His district also includes a large number of low-income housing where pilot-light stoves may be prevalent.
Albany 518-455-4793 District 212-866-5809
WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us
N. Nick Perry: East Flatbush. District Map. Relevant Bio: In addition to sitting on the Codes Committee, the Assemblyman sits on the Ways and Means Committee, where the bill will be sent next, and serves as Deputy Majority Leader. His district is near Gateway National Park, where the Rockaway pipeline will deliver Marcellus shale gas via the National Grid system, and includes a large number of low-income housing where pilot-light stoves may be prevalent.
Albany: 518-455-4166 District: 718-385-3336
PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us
Kenneth Zebrowski: Stony Point, Ossining, Orangetown, Mount Pleasant, Greenburgh, New Castle, Yorktown, Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and portions of the Town of Ramapo (where several pipelines already traverse). District Map. Relevant Bio: In addition to sitting on the Codes Committee, also sits on the Committee on Environmental Conservation and serves as Chair of the Commission on Administrative Regulations Review. His district will be traversed by the proposed Spectra AIM pipeline and is near the Stony Point compressor station.
Albany 518-455-5735 District 845-634-9791
ZebrowskiK@assembly.state.ny.us
Walter Mosley: Brooklyn, including Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, parts of Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant.
District Map. Relevant Bio: Born and raised in Clinton Hill––where he and his wife are also raising their son. His district includes a large number of low-income housing where pilot-light stoves may be prevalent.
Albany: 518-455-5325 District: 718-596-0100
MosleyW@assembly.state.ny.us
David Weprin: Briarwood, Bellerose Manor, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Queens Village, Richmond Hills, South Richmond Hill, Utopia District Map. Relevant Bio: Has lived in the Hollis-Jamaica area his entire life. His district includes a large number of low-income housing where pilot-light stoves may be prevalent. One of his key issues has been ensuring health care for retirees, and is in favor of raising taxes on millionaires. However, he opposes congestion pricing.
Albany: 518-455-5806 District: 718-454-3027
weprind@assembly.state.ny.us
