Adk Council accuses Paterson of "unexpected hostility" toward Adirondacks

Governor Paterson is feuding with a lot of traditional Democratic Party allies, from green groups to labor organizations.

The Adirondack Council uncorked a press release today accusing him of “unexpected hostility toward environmental initiatives and Adirondack issues.”

The Council is furious about plans to cap property tax payments for Adirondack forest preserve lands, and Paterson’s decision to raid and restructure the Environmental Protection Fund.

Now, they’re accusing Paterson of weakening the new carbon trading system.

The Adirondack Council strongly objects to Governor David Paterson’s decision to give away pollution rights to polluters participating in compliance with the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Not only is the decision bad for the environment, it is also bad for the economy.

Here’s the New York Times’ treatment:

Mr. Paterson appeared to overrule the State Department of Environmental Conservation in making the move, which would reopen state regulations to provide power plants leeway to release greater amounts of emissions at no additional cost.

Reporter Danny Hakim grabbed this gem of a quote from Judith Enck, the Governor’s environment adviser selected by Eliot Spitzer and kept on by Paterson:

Asked if she supported the change, Ms. Enck…responded, “My personal views don’t really matter.”

Ouch.