Assemblymembers Patricia A. Fahy and John T.

McDonald III
Representing the Capital Region in the New York State Assembly

For Immediate Release and Planning Purposes

June 8, 2015

ADVISORY: ASSEMBLYMEMBERS FAHY, MCDONALD,

SENATOR AVELLA, LOCAL LEADERS, ENVIROMENTAL ALLIES
DISCUSS PETROLEUM STORAGE SURETY BILL
WHAT:

Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany), Assemblymember John T. McDonald III (DCohoes), and Senator Tony Avella (IDC-Queens) will be joined by elected leaders and
environmental advocacy organizations to discuss the Petroleum Storage Surety bill
(A.7625/S.5751-A) at the Legislative Office Buildings LCA Pressroom in Albany on
Tuesday, June 9.
The legislation, if passed, would apply to crude oil stored at all bulk storage facilities in New
York State including the Port of Albany and require financial security to meet all
responsibilities for cleanup and decontamination costs associated with the release of such oil.
Recently, the Albany Times Union, in an editorial dated May 7, wrote, The United States,
however, remains without such federal or state insurance mandates. New York does have an
oil spill cleanup fund, paid for in part by a tax on oil shipments; it will rise from $25 million
to $40 million this year. But thats a pittance. The rail and oil industries, not the public,
should be required to carry coverage proportionate to the damage these trains can do.
A business may achieve this by indicating evidence of insurance, a letter of credit, or a bond
from a corporate surety licensed to do business in New York State. The transport of crude oil
by rail has increased exponentially nationwide over the past five years, from over 9,000
carloads of crude oil in 2008 to over 400,000 in 2013, and the need for storage facilities has
expanded accordingly.

WHO:

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D-Albany)

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III (D-Cohoes)
Senator Tony Avella (IDC-Queens)
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy
Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan
Environmental Advocacy Groups

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

1 p.m.

WHERE:

Legislative Office Building

LCA Press Room (LOB 130)
Albany, NY 12248

LOGISTICS/
QUESTIONS:

For questions, contact Joe Bonilla at (518) 227-1155 for Assemblymember Fahy and Heather
Sager at (718) 357-3094 for Senator Avella.

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