Electric trucks will be manufactured in the Bronx

Here's a story from last week's Bronx Press.

By Brendan McHugh 

The Bronx is getting electric.

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp, a leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles, is bringing their business to the Bronx.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined state and city officials, as well as representatives of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, to announce that electric truck manufacturer Smith Electric Vehicles will soon open a new state of the art electric truck manufacturing facility at the former Port Morris lamp warehouse at 275 Locust Avenue. Smith Electric Vehicles hopes to create more than 100 local “green” jobs.

Expected to create more than 100 new jobs, the announcement was also about unveiling a new incentive program for electric vehicles in New York State. Purchasing zero-emission trucks will now come with a $20,000 rebate from the Feds for each new truck. The program is designed to improve air quality and the environment.

Smith will lease a 90,000 square foot building near Hunts Point in the South Bronx and make investments in renovations, equipment, training and other project costs. A package of state and city incentives valued at over $6 million, including $3.4 million in Excelsior tax credit benefits from Empire State Development, and $1.7 million in tax exemptions approved by the New York City Industrial Development Agency, is being provided to augment the company’s private investment.

"Creating over 100 new jobs in the South Bronx is a victory for the local community and a clear sign that New York is rapidly attracting innovative opportunities to grow our economy," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

Jump below for the full story.

Three local pols discuss environment issues at town hall meeting

Here's a story that didn't make this week's Riverdale Review.

By Brendan McHugh 

Dinowitz (center) speaks to constituents as
Espaillat (left) listens and Koppell (right) takes notes.

In a special environmentally focused town hall meeting, Riverdale residents had the chance to quiz elected officials about hydrofracking, Indian Point, tree safety and other issues.

Around 50 people showed up to the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale for the third of four recent town hall meetings in the area, this one including Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, state Senator Adriano Espaillat and City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. 

“We wanted to have a meeting with the community…to hear what issues you’re concerned about, get input and give people an opportunity to speak out,” Dinowitz said as he opened the meeting. 

Dinowitz and Espaillat, both who scored at the top of the legislature with their voting record by the EPL/Environmental Advocates’ scorecard, said Democrats and Republicans are on opposite sides of many topics and it’s up to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be a decisive factor when dealing with certain issues.

Jump below for the full story.

Dinowitz applauds another grade, this time a passing one

Coming off a failing grade from the Conservative Party, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is again delighted at a grade he received--though this time it's a passing one.

He has been awarded a score of 105, tied for the highest score in the Assembly, by EPL/Environmental Advocates in their 2011 Voters’ Guide (PDF--jump below if you don't want to download it). Dinowitz voted for or co-sponsored every bill EPL/Environmental Advocates supported.

Among the bills on which EPL/Environmental Advocates agreed with Dinowitz were his votes in favor of a hydraulic fracturing moratorium, closing the fracking waste loophole, the Water Resources Protection Act, a global warming pollution cap, the Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act, wetlands protection, encouraging “complete street” designs that promote walking, biking and public transit, and mandating recycling of certain materials.

“I am very gratified to have received the highest score from EPL/Environmental Advocates. I have long been an advocate for protecting our environment, and I will continue to fight for this vital cause,” Dinowitz said in a statement.

Jump below for the scores of every Bronx state legislator and the full report.