CONSERVATION VOTERS BACK POLS

by dan rivoli

state sen. bill perkins' re-election campaign got a boost from the league of conservation voters.

perkins is facing a challenge from basil smikle, a political consultant and former campaign aide to mayor michael bloomberg.

perkins authored a bill recently signed into law that mandates a reduction of sulfur in some home heating oil.

"this law will help clear the air and help new yorkers who have respiratory trouble breathe easier," said the league's president, marcia bystryn, in a statement. "we are proud to stand with bill perkins and will work hard to re-elect him to the state senate."

in the open state senate seat that covers the upper west side, northern manhattan and the bronx, the league is backing adriano espaillat, an assembly member from washington heights.

his opponents include mark levine, a democratic district leader in washington heights, anna lewis, an upper west side attorney, miosotis muñoz, francesca castellanos and rafael figuereo.