Environmental Advocates of New York, one of the leading environmental advocacy groups in New York State, is praising New York State Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) for his leadership and support of key environmental legislation during the 2008 State Legislative Session. This is the third consecutive year Senator Padavan has been recognized by the Environmental Advocates of New York for his record of environmental leadership in the State Senate.

"I am deeply honored to be recognized by the members and the leadership at the Environmental Advocates of New York," Padavan said. "During this legislative session, we made significant progress toward our collective goal of protecting the environment and developing an energy policy based on alternative and renewable energy. Investing our time, energy and resources to make New York cleaner and greener is vital to our future. I look forward to building upon the partnership forged with Environmental Advocates of New York and all environmental groups in order to ensure we have a safe and clean environment today and in the future."

Padavan was one of 18 state senators recognized for their support of four "Super Bills" aimed at protecting New York's environmental resources. Each bill was selected by a "Green Panel" of experts representing New York's leading environmental organizations. The Environmental Advocates of NY 2008 "Super Bills" include:

• The Wetlands Protection Act that would close a gaping loophole in wetlands protection across the state;

• The Bigger Better Bottle Bill that would reform and update the state recycling program to reflect current consumer habits and increase funding for the Environmental Protection Fund;

• The Global Warming Pollution Cap that would set limits to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from all sources throughout the state by 80 percent by 2050; and

• Two Net Metering Reform Bills that will expand net metering eligibility to non-residential customer classes, as well as significantly increase the size of renewable energy systems that can be installed. This is the only Super Bill that will become law this year.

"Environmental Advocates of New York is proud to congratulate the many state lawmakers who stepped up and made protecting our precious natural resources a priority during the 2008 State Legislative Session," said Robert Moore, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York.

Environmental Advocates of New York is the state's government watchdog, holding lawmakers and state agencies accountable for implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Environmental Advocates of New York is the state's affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation and work alone and in coalitions with 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. Environmental Advocates of New York is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

New York State Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) announced that Governor David Paterson has signed into law legislation that will extend CUNY tuition waiver benefits for members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for two years, until 2010.

The legislation specifically continues for two years a tuition waiver for one course for NYPD officer students seeking a baccalaureate or higher degree at the City University of New York (CUNY). The course must be related to their employment and duties as a police officer.

"Providing tuition waivers for one course to the men and women serving in the NYPD is a strong incentive to further their education," Senator Padavan said. "This is an important benefit to the thousands of officers in the NYPD who are dedicated to the safety, security and well-being of all city residents. I thank Governor Paterson for his timely support of this important piece of legislation."

The original legislation, establishing the tuition waiver, was passed in 2004 and was based on a program sponsored by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s.