October 1 , 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $6.3 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $6.3 million for innovative water quality projects in Central New York through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds were awarded to nine 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 sustainable municipal works and entrepreneurship.
“These investments boost local economies and create new jobs, while also promoting our environmental sustainability. Central New York 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.
Central New York projects to receive Green Innovation Grants include:
- $3.2 million to the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District to help build a regional digester/bioenergy facility for agricultural areas in Upstate New York. The facility is projected to produce more than five million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The anaerobic digesters will process local manure and food waste, avoiding pollution of ground and surface waters and reducing the possibility for pathogens to be released into the environment.
- $900,000 Onondaga County for a creekside revitalization project to integrate green infrastructure components including pervious pavement in walkways and parking areas, rain gardens, and bioretention swales to mitigate stormwater runoff into Onondaga Lake.
- $585,000 to the Town of Richland, Oswego County, for the installation of two 50-kilowatt wind turbines at the Schoeller well site to power a new onsite treatment system for the water district.
- $487,200 to the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, for the installation of solar power at the new Westcott Water Tanks, providing approximately 56,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable power per year to help power the City’s drinking water system.
- $351,600 to the City of Syracuse, 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.
- $315,000 to the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, for the construction of a 50-kilowatt microturbine system at the Westcott Reservoir, generating approximately 450 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year to help offset the energy demands of the water system.
- $235,000 to Onondaga County for the construction of a green roof for stormwater mitigation at the Onondaga County Correctional Facility in Jamesville, New York.
- $180,000 to Onondaga County to provide rain barrels to homeowners and businesses in the Harbor Brook Sewershed in Syracuse to harvest stormwater runoff and mitigate stormwater impacts on Onondaga Lake.
- $107,600 to the Village of Port Byron, Cayuga County, for the installation of 45 solar units, creating clean and renewable solar power at their wastewater treatment facility.
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 Central New York’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.”
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.”
Senator Darrel Aubertine said: “These investments in Upstate water projects will help promote job growth while providing our communities with safe, quality drinking water. The town of Richland's innovative and extensive water project fits well into the objectives put forth for stimulus funding. The use of green energy will help keep the long term cost of this water district low for the ratepayers of Richland and will serve as an example for other communities throughout the state.”
Senator John Defrancisco said: “I am pleased that financial resources are being devoted to the continued revitalization of Onondaga Lake, one of the most valuable assets in our community. With this funding, we will be able to harvest storm water runoff through various methods including rain barrels, pervious pavement, rain gardens and bioretention swales. Implementation of these projects will bring us another step closer to a clean Onondaga Lake.”
Senator Michael Nozzolio said: “As a ranking member on the Senate Energy Committee, I have strongly supported the development of alternative and renewable sources of energy. The new bioenergy facility in Cayuga County will produce over 5 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity per year for agricultural areas in Upstate New York while protecting the ground and surface waters in our region from pollution. We were also able to secure the funding to install 45 solar units at the wastewater treatment facility in Port Byron, creating clean and renewable solar power. I was proud to work with Governor Paterson, Congressman Arcuri, Assemblyman Oaks, Assemblyman Finch and the Environmental Facilities Corporation to secure this critical funding that will make Cayuga County more energy efficient.”
Senator David Valesky said: “Central New York is proving itself to be a leader in the development and implementation of innovative green technology. I am pleased that so many projects are receiving funding which will expand this burgeoning industry, create jobs and attract new companies to the region.”
Assemblyman Will Barclay said: “I’m pleased the Town of Richland will receive this stimulus money to help residents receive potable water more affordably. The turbines will help save on energy costs to the town and that cost savings will be passed down to the residents who are benefiting from the water district. This is a good example of how our stimulus dollars should be used—as a direct savings to taxpayers.”
Assemblywoman Joan Christensen said: “The six grants announced for Onondaga County will create jobs, promote economic recovery and invest in environmental protection that will provide long-term economic benefits to Central New York Residents. Environmental protection is not only a key to our economic future, but it is also the right thing to do.”
Assemblyman Gary Finch said: “Green technology has long been on the forefront of our agenda here in Cayuga County and I am pleased to learn that the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District is receiving funding of $3.2 million from the Green Innovation Grant Program. We have worked tirelessly on this capital project and it is with great satisfaction to know that Governor Paterson is concerned with our agricultural and environmental needs.”
Assemblyman Bob Oaks said: These funds are critical in allowing two great projects in Cayuga County to move forward. Port Byron taxpayers will benefit as they save local on electricity costs by utilizing solar power at their wastewater treatment plant. Building a regional anaerobic digester will help local farmers and businesses in disposing of waste, while creating energy to be utilized by the County. This is a win for the state, for the environment and for local residents.”
Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli said: “Implementing environmentally friendly projects in Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a wonderful way of creating jobs while preserving our natural resources. These projects at Onondaga Lake, the city of Syracuse’s Xavier Circle, and the Westcott Reservoir will serve as examples of how supporting our economy and protecting our environment can coexist.”
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said: “The Green Innovation Grants are an excellent way for the state to leverage Stimulus Funds in a meaningful way while promoting sustainability. Our team worked hard putting together the applications and we are proud to have been so successful. Projects like these are critical to improving the water quality in Onondaga Lake and relieving the burden on taxpayers. We are grateful to the State for showing confidence in the work we are doing here in Onondaga County.”
City of Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll said: “Governor Paterson knows the value of investing in green technology and has demonstrated his confidence in the City’s ongoing energy initiatives. The $802,200 in federal stimulus funds dedicated to the Westcott Reservoir project will enable the installation of the solar power component, providing nearly all the power required for the operation of the newly constructed $40 million water infrastructure project. In addition, $351,600 will be dedicated to the city’s newest development devoted entirely to LEED-certified single family residential homes with green permeable paving construction products for roads and sidewalks. These investments by Governor Paterson will continue to foster a green movement within Syracuse, the Emerald City.”
Village of Port Byron Mayor Ronald Wilson said: “It is a plus for the Village of Port Byron to be able to work with New York State on this green project and hopefully save tax payers money through energy conservation. Installing solar panels will show the public that we are conscious of utilizing money-saving initiatives in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. It was good to partner with the state of New York on this project.”
