The state Department of Environmental Conservation has not be lax in inspecting polluters and taking action against them, an agency spokesman said today about a report issued by the Environmental Advocates of New York.

"This report distorts key facts, omits others, and outright ignores this administration's strong environmental record. It's disappointing that even after DEC officials provided Environmental Advocates with correct data, they proceeded to publish inaccurate information."

Constantakes said the DEC inspected every one of the 30 permitted hazardous waste facilities in NYS in 2012 and DEC has on-site monitors at six of these facilities.

In 2012, the DEC inspected 839 hazardous waste generator facilities, though the inspections weren't required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Constantakes said.

He said inspections of facilities that possess clean air permits were consistent with those conducted in 2009. Constantakes also said air emissions in New York have decreased 20 percent since 2009 and compliance levels have improved over the past decade.