Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce and the sponsors of Local Law B are pleased with the move by County Executive Daniel P. McCoy to sign the legislation, which is designed to prohibit waste burning and provide clean air in Albany County, into law. The final hurdle came Thursday, after the Legislature voted 32-7 to adopt the measure in August.

“Residents of Albany County can now take a deep breath of clean air. With the passage of Local Law B, we are ensuring that future businesses are held accountable for their actions while giving residents peace of mind over their family’s health,” Chairman Andrew Joyce said. “I want to thank the County Executive for supporting the Legislature’s actions and signing Local Law B.”

Conservation, Sustainability and Green Initiatives Committee Chairman William Reinhardt, who sponsored Local Law B, said, “Incineration of waste is an environmental justice issue as it has the potential to do harm not only to the environment but to our residents. As legislators we have the responsibility to do no harm, and by adopting this law we are choosing better alternatives to address solid waste, such as a greater focus on reduce, reuse and recycle, and asking others to do the same.”