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Q What is the state doing to help municipalities address industrial effects on communities from Marcellus shale drilling?
A O’Mara said the state is looking closely at environmental concerns through the Department of Environmental Conservation, a process he supports. He added that localities should be looking at issues like truck permitting. He said the state is working to develop standardized agreements and other documents for use at the local level. He added that draft regulations are already out and encouraged constituents to attend DEC hearings, one of which will be 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Dansville Middle School auditorium.
Q Is the state on top of environmental issues related to natural gas extraction?
A O’Mara said DEC officials have made it clear no permits will be issued without oversight and the costs associated with permitting will be assessed to the industry.
“I’m looking for some exclusions around the Finger Lakes,” he said, noting that other watersheds that supply unfiltered water to New York City have already been categorically excluded.
Q How is home rule affected by the Power New York Act that streamlines energy plant siting?
A O’Mara cautioned against the “not in my back yard” mentality and said the act sets aside funding for municipalities that challenge energy plant sitings. In addition, two local parties are appointed to siting committees as voting members.
Palmesano added that power companies must follow local ordinances, unless they are deemed unreasonable. Further, there is an appeals process. He said the challenge is that as much as two-thirds of the state’s energy production capacity could go offline with new state and federal regulations. However, no major plants have been sited in more than seven years.
“This was important to meet our stat energy needs,” Palmesano said. “We need to have a statewide energy plan.”
Q What can be done to help local fire departments that struggle with tight budgets and dwindling volunteers?
A O’Mara supports initiatives to provide incentives to local firefighters, but wants to hear specific ideas from constituents.
Palmesano cited a study a statewide transition from volunteer to professional firefighters would cost $5 billion. He recognized that firefighter service is both a commitment of the firefighter and his or her family.
Q What can be done to equalize the requirements for contracters to prevent underbidding by groups affiliated with religious organizations?
A The lawmakers said they were unfamiliar with the issue, but would look into it.
Q How will the state be able to cover the cost of repaying state workers who are taking unpaid furloughs in the next two years?
A O’Mara explained that the furloughs and the repayment were part of the negotiations with public employee unions and not a legislative action.
“We’re in rough economic times now,” he said. However, the hope with several budget actions was to put costs off until the economy improves and state revenues return to previous levels.
Q What is the state doing to help municipalities address industrial effects on communities from Marcellus shale drilling?
A O’Mara said the state is looking closely at environmental concerns through the Department of Environmental Conservation, a process he supports. He added that localities should be looking at issues like truck permitting. He said the state is working to develop standardized agreements and other documents for use at the local level. He added that draft regulations are already out and encouraged constituents to attend DEC hearings, one of which will be 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Dansville Middle School auditorium.
Q Is the state on top of environmental issues related to natural gas extraction?
A O’Mara said DEC officials have made it clear no permits will be issued without oversight and the costs associated with permitting will be assessed to the industry.
“I’m looking for some exclusions around the Finger Lakes,” he said, noting that other watersheds that supply unfiltered water to New York City have already been categorically excluded.
Q How is home rule affected by the Power New York Act that streamlines energy plant siting?
A O’Mara cautioned against the “not in my back yard” mentality and said the act sets aside funding for municipalities that challenge energy plant sitings. In addition, two local parties are appointed to siting committees as voting members.
Palmesano added that power companies must follow local ordinances, unless they are deemed unreasonable. Further, there is an appeals process. He said the challenge is that as much as two-thirds of the state’s energy production capacity could go offline with new state and federal regulations. However, no major plants have been sited in more than seven years.
“This was important to meet our stat energy needs,” Palmesano said. “We need to have a statewide energy plan.”
Q What can be done to help local fire departments that struggle with tight budgets and dwindling volunteers?
A O’Mara supports initiatives to provide incentives to local firefighters, but wants to hear specific ideas from constituents.
Palmesano cited a study a statewide transition from volunteer to professional firefighters would cost $5 billion. He recognized that firefighter service is both a commitment of the firefighter and his or her family.
Q What can be done to equalize the requirements for contracters to prevent underbidding by groups affiliated with religious organizations?
A The lawmakers said they were unfamiliar with the issue, but would look into it.
Q How will the state be able to cover the cost of repaying state workers who are taking unpaid furloughs in the next two years?
A O’Mara explained that the furloughs and the repayment were part of the negotiations with public employee unions and not a legislative action.
“We’re in rough economic times now,” he said. However, the hope with several budget actions was to put costs off until the economy improves and state revenues return to previous levels.
