With Democrats preparing to take control of the state Senate in January, environmental groups are hoping to see more action on climate change and public health issues.

Their priorities include the Climate and Community Protection Act, which would reduce the use of fossil fuels in the state and provide new assistance to areas most at risk, and also the Environmental Bill of Rights, which would officially give every New York the right to clean air and clean water.

And there are also smaller bills that have passed the Assembly over the years but died in the Senate.

Peter Iwanowicz is the head of Environmental Advocates of New York.