Hevesi Earns Green 'Thumbs' Up For Work In Assembly

Forest Hills may be one of the greenest neighborhoods in the city, and according to the EPL/Environmental Advocates, it has a legislator to match.

Assembylman Andrew Hevesi received a perfect score of 105 on the organization’s annual scorecard.

Hevesi, for his part, said he was thrilled with the score, and proud to be part of the “greening” of New York State’s legistlature.

“I was honored to receive the highest score possible of 105 from EPL/Environmental Advocates, placing me as a top advocate for green legislation in the New York State Assembly.” Hevesi said. “Encouraging the use of renewable and environmentally responsible energy and protecting against the contamination of our precious natural resources should always be a top priority for governmental officials in this state.”

It wasn’t just the perfect score that earned Hevesi some plaudits from environmentalists this week. On Oct. 14, Gov Cuomo signed a Hevesi-sponsored bill that created a tax credit for homes and businesses that switched to and stuck with an environmentally-friendly home-heating oil. With the bill signed, the tax credit will be extended through 2017.

State Senators Toby Stavisky and Joe Addabbo both received scores of 86, which is 13 points shy of the highest possible score in the state Senate.

State Sen. Lee Zeldin, R-Happauge, received the annual “Oil Slick” award for sponsoring a bill aimed at reducing funding for the MTA.