The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) continues its efforts to promote sustainable government practices.

Created in 1970, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible for most of the State’s programs to protect wildlife, natural resources and environmental quality.

Since taking office in 2007, I have made the environment one of my office’s top priorities. I’ve enacted green agency operations at my own office while helping other State agencies become more environmentally friendly.

Consumer interest in organic products has grown in recent years, as reflected by rising sales nationwide—with a 56 percent increase in New York from 2008 through 2014.

On the 47th Anniversary of Earth Day, now more than ever, we should celebrate the progress we have made and recommit ourselves to the work that needs to be done.

It’s easy to take clean, safe drinking water for granted. However, as incidents of contamination in our public water supplies in recent years have reminded us, strong regulatory oversight is essential to assure the quality and safety of our water.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the legislation that created New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) – a development well worth noting. The Fund is one of the State’s most important vehicles for making capital investments to preserve open space, protect water quality, and improve parks and waterfronts all across New York.

Recent actions at the federal level to undercut crucial environmental protections remind us once again that we can’t take our environmental quality and successes over the past decades for granted.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund continues to build on its efforts to integrate sustainability concepts into its investment strategy

School districts are facing a set of unique fiscal challenges that have left many tightening their belts even as the economic recovery has begun to improve New York State finances.