By Phil Corso
One of northeast Queens’ newest representatives in state government was chosen as part of a short list of environmentally promising officials, the New York League of Conservation Voters said.
According to the pro-environment organization, state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) was the only Queens official selected in a Top 13 list of recently elected lawmakers to be labeled as up-and-coming environmental leaders.
“From climate change to clean energy, New York faces many complex environmental challenges in 2013,” said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn. “Fortunately, there is a new generation of environmental leadership in the New York state Senate and Assembly that is committed to addressing these challenges head-on. Because of her impressive track record and plan for a more sustainable future, we are proud to count Assemblywoman Nily Rozic among our New Generation 2013.”
Bystryn said the group compiled the list by analyzing lawmakers’ biographies, achievements, records, and environmental philosophies. The group also compiled data through candidates’ environmental questionnaires, which were completed last year, providing an insight into specific policies and stances on areas including clean energy, the Environmental Protection Fund and public health.
While campaigning and in her swearing-in ceremony, Rozic kept environmental policy a top priority of her agenda.
“The New York League of Conservation Voters is a leader in the fight for a green and healthy New York state, and I am proud to be working with them to better our quality of life in Queens,” Rozic said. “I will continue to advocate for cleaner, greener and sustainable approaches to business, energy production and transit.”
Rozic, 26, won the 25th Assembly District seat in November with more than 67 percent of the vote, according to the BOE, securing her spot to represent communities including Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside and Douglaston.
She received an endorsement from the league in her bid for the Assembly, as did the other 12 members of the up-and-coming list. It was her first election to public office.
Before her election, Rozic served as a chief of staff for Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan), where she assisted with different environmental initiatives, including the banning of Styrofoam statewide and specifically in government agencies and office buildings, and increasing television energy efficiency, the NYLCV said.
In her candidate questionnaire, Rozic outlined her environmental platform, which included a strict opposition to hydraulic fracturing in New York and hopes to improve the borough’s public transportation options.
“The district I am looking to represent has subpar public transportation options and one of my priorities once elected will be to expand and improve bus service as well as provide other transportation options in eastern Queens and beyond,” Rozic said.
The New York League of Conservation Voters works with the state Legislature to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority, the group said.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
