New York, NY – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated a New York City transportation and environmental group for winning the 2011 Environmental Quality Award. This past February, Senator Gillibrand nominated the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC), a non-profit group dedicated to promoting sustainable transportation in New York. Today, the organization is set to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening New York City.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “I congratulate the Tri-State Transportation Campaign for their dedication to creating a cleaner New York. From finding ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil to improving the area’s quality of life, Tri-State Transportation Campaign is an environmental champion who will help lead the way towards a green energy future for our city and our country.”
“We are proud and honored to accept the 2011 US EPA Environmental Quality Award for our work to promote sustainable transportation and land use policy in New York,” said Kate Slevin, Executive Director of Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “With soaring gas prices and a challenging economic recovery, the need for more sustainable, equitable and transit friendly communities is more critical than ever. These goals cannot be realized without leadership from our elected officials at all levels of government. We thank Senator Gillibrand for her unwavering commitment to sustainability and we look forward to fighting for safer roads, livable communities, and more attractive walking, biking and transit options for all New Yorkers.”
Tri-State Transportation Campaign is a non-profit advocacy organization working towards a more balanced, sustainable and equitable transportation network in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Formed in 1994 in response to the rising environmental and economic costs of passenger car and truck dependence, the TSTC has been successful in winning additional sources of revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and securing millions of dollars in funding for bicycle, mass transit, and pedestrian projects.
The TSTC is also focused on transit oriented development, which encourages the development of business centers within one half mile of bus or rail stations. This kind of eco-friendly development not only reduces emission by allowing access via mass transit and reducing the amount of vehicle miles traveled, but it promotes businesses by giving more people access to market and keeping the cost of traveling low.
The awards, which recognize individuals and organizations that have improved the environment and public health in EPA Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven federally-recognized Indian Nations), will be formally presented to New York organizations in a ceremony on Friday, April 29th at the EPA Regional Headquarters in Lower Manhattan.