October 1 , 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN THE SOUTHERN TIER
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $2.5 million for innovative water quality projects in the Southern Tier through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds were awarded to six 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 job opportunities across the State and builds upon a legacy of green municipal works and entrepreneurship.
“These investments boost local economies and create new jobs, while also promoting our environmental sustainability. The Southern Tier will soon see innovative solutions to threats to our rivers, lakes, and streams – whether though wastewater treatment upgrades to green roofs installations,” 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.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said: “These Green Innovations Projects will allow New Yorkers to confront a range of clean water issues in creative ways, and provide real solutions during these economically challenging times. Green infrastructure projects are helping us rebuild the foundations for prosperity that kept our economy strong in the past and are making us more sustainable for the future.”
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.
Southern Tier projects to receive Green Innovation Grants include:
- $821,500 to the Chemung County Library District for the installation of a green roof on the Library, reducing their annual stormwater runoff by an estimated 265,000 gallons per year.
- $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 runoff.
- $437,400 to the Village of Bath, Steuben County for the installation of two solar-powered water circulators to help provide a safe and consistent supply of drinking water for the community.
- $384,500 to the Town of Roxbury, Delaware County for the installation of 450 new telemetric water meters; a new water pressure control system to better manage pressure, minimize potential leakage and conserve water; and add variable frequency drives on pumps to better control system pressure and reduce electricity consumption.
- $117,000 to the Town of Jasper, Steuben County for the construction of reed beds as an energy-efficient alternative to sludge management, and the installation of aeration equipment in the sludge holding tank, resulting in higher energy-efficiency.
For more information of New York State’s ARRA funds, please visit www.recovery.ny.gov. Additional resources regarding the New York State Revolving Fund program are available at www.nysefc.org/recovery.
The following quotes were provided in support of the Southern Tier’s Green Innovation Grant projects:
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 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.”
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 will also reduce energy costs while creating jobs.”
Senator John Bonacic said: “Energy efficiency is one of the most pressing issues for our nation and planet. Investing in green technology today will create a better environment, and reduce costs paid by taxpayers to run our local governments.”
Senator George Winner said: “I’m extremely pleased that local communities will benefit from these important investments in the environmental and economic future of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. They represent investments in the type of environmental innovation, conservation, and cutting-edge technology that’s going to make a real difference.”
Assemblyman Jim Bacalles said: “These innovative projects demonstrate how new technology and ideas can spur greener solutions to problems. Using federal ARRA funding for development of these projects makes sense and I applaud everyone involved who helped make it happen.”
Assemblyman Clifford Crouch said: “I am pleased to see federal funding being put to good use in Delaware County. This will enable an out-dated water infrastructure to become efficient for conserving water and reducing electricity consumption, ultimately contributing to greener solutions that also benefit the environment.”
Director of the Chemung County Library District Jim Sleeth said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded this GIGP grant to construct a ‘green roof’ on our central Library in downtown Elmira. We will reduce annual storm water runoff, reduce annual heating and cooling costs, become a green technology demonstration project for the community, and in the process save the taxpayers money. We greatly appreciate the attention and support that Governor Paterson gave to our application.”
