Two Queens councilmembers earn failing grades on annual environmental scorecard
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PHOTO VIA NYC PARKS
By Victoria Merlino and David Brand
A pair of Queens councilmembers earned failing grades on an annual environmental report card published Tuesday by the New York League of Conservation Voters. The scores are tallied based on members’ votes on bills to reduce emissions, promote public transportation and improve air quality.
Councilmembers Robert Holden and Daneek Miller were among the eight lowest-ranking councilmembers in the city.
Miller earned a score of 50, while Holden received a 64 — considered failing grades in New York City public schools. Miller lost points for opposing e-bikes and e-scooters and his opposition to a ban on plastic straws. Holden voted against commercial waste zones. Both voted against a transit master plan.
The NYLCV has called on New York City lawmakers to step up to enact environmentally conscious legislation in the face of federal inaction.
“The Trump Administration is undermining climate commitments in the midst of a climate crisis, and New York City must take the lead in establishing effective climate policy and set an example for local governments to remain committed to our environment,” said NYLCV President Julie Tighe.
Tighe praised the council for earning high scores overall on the organization’s report card. The council, she said, “has made climate action and environmental progress a priority.”
Queens Councilmembers Adrienne Adams, Costa Constantinides, Antonio Reynoso, Donovan Richards and Jimmy Van Bramer each earned perfect scores from the NYLCV.
Councilmember Peter Koo scored a 93, Karen Koslowitz clocked a 92, Barry Grodenchik recorded an 86 and Daniel Dromm received an 85. Councilmembers Rory Lancman, Paul Vallone and Francisco Moya each got a 79, while Eric Ulrich recorded a 71.
Queens councilmembers introduced many of the bills that lawmakers were scored on.
Constantinides sponsored four pieces of legislation, including emission caps, studying how renewable energy sources would fare on Rikers Island and pushing the Mayor’s Office to create a resiliency plan to protect the city’s shorelines from climate change. Reynoso sponsored the bill to regulate the commercial waste industry, while Dromm sponsored a bill to phase out diesel school buses. Adams sponsored a bill to promote a SNAP program the purchase of fresh, locally grown produce.
Queens councilmembers averaged a score of 83, compared to 97 in Manhattan, 88 in Brooklyn, 69 in the Bronx and 42 in Staten Island.
