Environmental Advocates of NY Propose '2012 Green Playbook'

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- A list of 10 green energy initiatives for a cleaner New York were given to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state’s legislature on Thursday by the Environmental Advocates of New York, according to a press release from the green group.

The 2012 Green Playbook features proposals to help New York's energy needs, while highlighting environmental challenges like hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” for natural gas.

"In his 2012 State of the State address, Governor Cuomo vowed to continue his efforts to revive New York's stagnant economy and create new jobs in communities eager for economic development,” Deputy Director of Environmental Advocates of New York, David Gahl, said. “Our 2012 Green Playbook shows how the governor can fulfill these economic promises while safeguarding air and water quality and preserving and restoring our natural areas.”

The playbook ties environmental policy with economic development, such as restoring the Environmental Protection Fund and leveraging monies for projects that would, in turn, generate revenue for the state, Gov. Cuomo summarized in a public statement.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Carnegie Hall Announces Creation of National Youth Orchestra

(NEW YORK) -- New York City's Carnegie Hall announced Wednesday that it is creating a national youth orchestra, according to The New York Times.

The new venture will rehearse at Purchase College of the State University of New York for three weeks in the summer. Players will range in age from 16 to 19.

The orchestra will then perform at Washington's Kennedy Center, and then go on a tour to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and London. The artistic director of Russia's Mariinsky Theater, Valery Gergiev, will conduct.

The orchestra's first session will start in July 2013.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

New York Slides to No. 3 in Venture-Capital Funding

(NEW YORK) -- New York slid to claim the No. 3 spot in venture-capital funding, falling from its No. 2 position it held the previous quarter, according to a new report from research firm CB Insights.

The New York Daily News reports that Massachusetts rose ahead of New York last quarter with $959 million in 93 deals, according to the report.

The Empire State raked in $568 million in 73 deals, with $363 million of that money raised by New York-based Internet start-ups, compared with the $163 million generated by Internet ventures in the Bay State.

“New York is still killing Massachusetts when it comes to the tech scene,” Anand Sanwal, CEO of CB Insights, said.

California, boasting its tech mecca Silicon Valley, was well positioned at No. 1 with venture-capital funding generating $3.8 billion in 300 deals.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

AG Pushes for Database to Track Prescription Drugs

(NEW YORK) -- In his continued call for legislation to curb prescription drug abuse, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Wednesday issued a report supporting that call.

Schneiderman has proposed the "Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act," (I-STOP) legislation, which is an online database aimed at preventing over-prescribing of drugs, stopping prescription drug trafficking, and identifying and treating prescription drug abusers.

According to the report presented by the attorney general, there has been an increase in prescriptions for narcotic painkillers across New York from 16.6 million in 2007 to almost 22.5 million in 2010. Schneiderman states that one of the causes of the increase is a lack of communication between practitioners, something he believes will be addressed by the legislation.

"Today’s report illustrates how this growing problem demands a better solution for both our health care providers and law enforcement officials to track the flow of potentially dangerous substances," Schneiderman said in a statement. "Inaction is not an option."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Public Comment Period Ends for Natural Gas Drilling Regulations

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- The public comment period on the state's proposed gas drilling regulations comes to an end on Wednesday.

Gas industry spokespeople flocked to the offices of legislators in Albany on Wednesday with thousands of letters in favor of "hydrofracking," the controversial method of extracting natural gas from shale.

Supporters of natural gas drilling in New York state argue the drilling of the Marcellus Shale formation would be a tremendous boon to the state's economy both in terms of drilling jobs and gas export. Critics argue hydrofracking threatens the safety of drinking water.

Anyone can comment on the regulation on the Department of Environmental Conservation's website.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio