October 1 , 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $43 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS
Green Innovation Projects Will Reduce Energy Costs, Conserve Water and Promote "Green Infrastructure"
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $43 million for innovative water quality projects across New York through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds were awarded to 58 different projects through a new State initiative known as the Green Innovation Grant Program, which promotes sustainable, environmentally sensitive water infrastructure and technologies.
The grants will support cost-cutting solutions for progressive water conservation, energy efficiency technologies for drinking water systems and clean water infrastructure. The projects include green roofs, permeable pavement, rain harvesting and progressive wastewater treatment processes. In addition, the program expands “green collar” job opportunities across the State and builds upon a legacy of “green” municipal works and entrepreneurship.
“The Green Innovation Grant Program is a giant leap forward in developing the State’s ‘green’ industry. These funds will support innovative solutions that address environmental threats to our rivers, lakes and streams while also creating new jobs and providing taxpayer savings through reduced energy and water use,” Governor Paterson said. “I applaud President Obama, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and our Congressional Delegation for their work to secure these critical funds that promote economic recovery, development and environmental stewardship.”
Last March, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) solicited projects to identify green infrastructure opportunities in need of funds. Officials from EFC, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and State Department of Health reviewed nearly 300 applications seeking nearly $468 million. The selected projects were then submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final approval. Each grant recipient must comply with the ARRA, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act and the New York State Revolving Fund requirements.
New York received $432 million through the ARRA for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $86 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The ARRA requires states to direct 20 percent of their stimulus funding to water quality projects that use innovative approaches to energy and water efficiency, incorporate stormwater infrastructure, and use innovative treatment technologies. A full list of the grant recipients announced today is available at www.nysefc.org/greengrants. Some of the projects include:
- $3.2 million to Monroe County for the construction of a highly visible and educational green roof on part of the plaza level of the Monroe County Civic Center;
- $2.9 million to the Albany County Sewer District for the installation of a Combined Heat and Power System to capture waste heat and produce electricity from Albany County Sewer District's existing facility;
- $2.1 million to the SUNY at Purchase, Westchester County for the construction of a 24,000 square foot green roof, which will decrease stormwater runoff by an estimated 33 percent
- $1 million to the City of Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County for the upgrade of equipment with energy-efficient and innovative components including the creation of biomass fuel, a energy, from sewage sludge;
- $928,600 to Orange County for the construction of a green roof, a rainwater harvesting system, and an irrigation system that will reuse stormwater onsite at the Newburgh Campus of the Orange County Community College;
- $831,100 to the City of Utica in Oneida County for the purchase and installation of rain barrels, planting of new trees, and creation of new tree pits at various locations throughout the City in an effort to mitigate stormwater impacts to the Mohawk River;
- $736,100 to the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District for the restoration of over 200 acres of New York Department of Environmental Conservation wetlands within New York’s Susquehanna River Basin, to improve water quality by treating nutrients and sediment in stormwater run off;
- $351,600 to the City of Syracuse in Onondaga County for the Green City Homes project, which incorporates innovative permeable paving designs into the roads and sidewalks associated with the City of Syracuse's Xavier Circle, reducing stormwater runoff loading to the sewers;
- $263,300 to the City of North Tonawanda in Niagara County for the construction of bioretention cells and rain gardens to capture and infiltrate stormwater, reducing the largest continuous area of impervious surface in the City; and
- $200,700 to the Lindenhurst Memorial Library in Suffolk County for the installation of permeable pavers and bioswales for stormwater runoff management at the library.
For more information of New York State’s ARRA funds, please visit www.recovery.ny.gov. For more information the New York State Revolving Fund programs, please visit www.nysefc.org/recovery.
The following statements were provided in support of the Green Innovation Project Grant awards:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Investing in these energy efficiency water projects is smart and responsible. It will create jobs even while it saves consumers money, and improves our water infrastructure to provide safe and clean drinking water for residents throughout New York State. It is critical that we invest in these types of energy efficient technologies to promote conservation and reduce our reliance on foreign fossil fuels. I will continue to support these types of projects that will save localities and ratepayers money.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “These are great investments for New York. These federal dollars will help upgrade infrastructure, produce more clean energy sources right here in New York, cut emissions and improve our environment, while creating jobs and helping to rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
Congressman Michael Arcuri said: “I am glad to see Recovery Bill money going towards important projects across the region to protect our water supply and our environment simultaneously. Across Upstate New York, infrastructure improvements like this one are crucial to the economic vitality and environmental sustainability of our cities and towns and I know that we will continue to see Recovery Bill funding being used for significant projects like these in the future.”
Congressman Eliot Engel said: “The money for the Green Innovation Projects is an investment that will keep on giving to the people of New York for years to come. By reducing energy costs and conserving clean water along with the ‘green’ other projects, we will make the world, including New York State, a better place to live. Water is a finite resource, as the people in our western states know well. Conserving it now will save it or our children and their children for generations. Governor Paterson is right on target by spending federal money on these developments.”
Congressman John Hall said: “Water is one of our most precious resources. The Green Innovation Projects in Orange and Dutchess Counties will create jobs in our community, conserve our valuable water, and invest in smart and environmentally-sound infrastructure.”
Congressman Brian Higgins said: “This project helps build upon local efforts to bring clean, renewable energy technologies that will strengthen the economy to Jamestown. This investment is just one example of how the stimulus bill passed by Congress earlier this year is helping communities like Jamestown invest in a sustainable future.”
Congressman Steve Israel said: “With new funding for green innovation from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Suffolk County Community College will be leading the way in water conservation and efficiency. I applaud Suffolk County Community College’s initiative.”
Congressman Eric Massa said: “Creating jobs and protecting our environment through the green innovation grant project is a great step forward in reinvesting in our economy and our communities and I am proud to support this. These funds will help the businesses and families of our district and our State for generations by utilizing smart innovations in the green collar sector with shovel-ready jobs.”
Congressman Scott Murphy said: “Modernizing and improving critical infrastructure such as wastewater treatment systems in 20th District communities will place our region on solid footing to build a 21st century economy. These grants are not only long-term investments in the future of Upstate New York’s economy and infrastructure, but immediate investments that will spur job creation.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “Our State can be either a leader or a follower in promoting innovative and energy-efficient technology and infrastructure, and I am pleased we are taking steps to become a leader. These projects will help create jobs and reduce energy consumption, and I am particularly pleased federal funding will help SUNY Purchase rehabilitate its central plaza incorporating green construction techniques.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said: “When we passed the stimulus package in February, we made it clear we need to invest in a new green economy. Western New York pioneered clean energy in Niagara Falls. I'm pleased to see these projects in Rochester and Tonawanda continue in that tradition.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said: “These Green Innovation Grants are investments in our communities which will lead to a better outcome environmentally, while promoting efficiency and conservation. These projects will go a long way toward reducing energy costs for local municipalities, which will in turn save taxpayer dollars.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chairman Pete Grannis said: “New York’s future depends on clean water. The health of our communities, the protection of our environment and the prospects for economic growth all are linked to modern, reliable water infrastructure systems. Today, we are making an investment in the future of dozens of communities across the State, helping them install cutting-edge 'green' technology that will provide benefits well into the future.”
EFC Acting President Matthew Millea said: “The Green Innovations Grants Program represents a new approach to how we intend to promote the smart, innovative and sustainable design of our water infrastructure in the years ahead. Under the leadership of Governor David Paterson, we are making great strides in improving our administration of the SRF programs in an effort to finance many more projects like those announced today.”
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D said: “Access to safe, clean drinking water is critical to public health. These green drinking water projects not only will protect public health but also reduce energy costs while creating jobs.”
Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said: “Maintaining and upgrading our clean water infrastructure in an environmentally responsible manner while creating new job opportunities benefits all New Yorkers. Green jobs will comprise a significant segment of the workforce of the future and I commend Governor Paterson for his commitment to securing funding for these important initiatives.”
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “At a time when communities across New York are experiencing unprecedented fiscal challenges, these federal stimulus projects provide a great boost to infrastructure and job creation. The grants being announced today will assist municipalities in meeting their water treatment needs. This is precisely what stimulus funds are intended to do. I thank Governor Paterson and the entire New York Congressional delegation for their leadership in obtaining these grants and the EPA for making this historic investment in New York's infrastructure.”
Senator Antoine M. Thompson said: “As Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, I fully support clean water projects and green industry. I am about to hold a series of water quality hearings across the State concerning clean water, sewage treatment, drinking water quality and beach closings. I congratulate the Governor on securing funding for clean and safe drinking water projects.”
Assemblyman Bob Sweeney, Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, said: “The Green Innovation Grant Program will create green jobs and help keep our lakes, streams and beaches clear and healthy. I applaud President Obama, the Congressional delegation and Governor Paterson for investing in innovative ways to address the threats to clean water.”
Katherine Baer, Senior Director of the clean water program at American Rivers, said: “To bring our water infrastructure into the 21st century, we need to broaden the definition to include natural infrastructure – by protecting and replicating healthy rivers, small streams, wetlands, and floodplains that are often more reliable and cost-effective at providing clean drinking water and natural flood protection. Governor Paterson has done an excellent job of seeking and funding innovative projects that will provide multiple benefits for New York's communities and rivers.”
Nancy Stoner, Co-Director of the Water Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “This is stimulus money at work – providing green jobs and clean water for New Yorkers. By mimicking nature’s own filtering systems, green infrastructure is one of the best ways we can keep our waterways full of clean water. With these projects, Governor Paterson is leading the way by investing in smarter water practices that can provide safe, abundant drinking for all Americans, into the future.”
