October 1 , 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN THE CAPITAL REGION
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $5 million for innovative water quality projects in the Capital Region 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 Capital Region will soon see innovative solutions to threats to our rivers, lakes, and streams that make for healthier water systems,” 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.
Capital Region projects to receive Green Innovation Grants include:
- $2.9 million to the Albany County Sewer District for the installation of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) System to capture waste heat and produce electricity from Albany County Sewer District's existing facility.
- $1 million to the University at Albany, Albany County, for the installation of various water efficiency and environmental initiatives including water meters, and low-flow fixtures. This project is projected to reduce water use by 19 million gallons per year.
- $598,500 to the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, Saratoga County, to convert a parking lot area to porous pavement and install a bioretention area to treat stormwater runoff from park roads and parking lots.
- $450,000 to the Troy Department of Public Utilities, Rensselaer County, for the installation of vibration leak detection equipment along 155 miles of distribution mains. This will enable the City to identify and reduce water lost through leaks and result in saving approximately 350 million gallons of water per year.
- $100,300 to the Village of Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, for the installation of a mixer in the sludge holding tank and solar panels to provide clean renewable energy for the mixer.
- $75,000 to the Village of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, for the installation of 215 new water meters to reduce demand on the Village’s five source wells by approximately 4.5 million gallons per year.
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 Capital Region’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 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.”
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 will reduce energy costs while creating jobs.”
Senator Roy McDonald said: “These environmentally friendly projects will have a positive impact on our local communities. Green initiatives are important to improve the quality of life for local residents, along with protecting the environment for our future generation’s enjoyment.”
Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said: “Governor Paterson and our Congressional delegation have advocated diligently on behalf of municipalities throughout New York to obtain funds for infrastructure improvements. These funds are a tremendous boost to producing energy from wastewater in Albany County while saving hundreds of millions of gallons of water across the River in Rensselaer County.”
Assemblyman Tim Gordon said: “These are the kind of important infrastructure improvements that too often go neglected because they don't always generate exciting headlines. The investment announced here today provides a significant public benefit for area residents for decades to come.”
Assemblyman John McEneny said: “It is heartening to know that despite the economic recession, we can still make important infrastructure improvements. The University at Albany cut water waste significantly with the installation of these new fixtures, helping this important institution cut costs. This would not be possible without the advocacy of Governor Paterson and our representatives at the federal level who have worked to make sure New York receives its fair share of stimulus funds.”
Albany County Executive Michael G. Breslin said: “We are very excited the waste heat recovery project at the Albany County Sewer District has been selected for funding through the Green Innovation Grant Program. This project will harness the heat produced in the incineration process, reducing energy use by about 30 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,400 tons annually. We look forward to moving forward with the project and continuing our focus on energy conservation.”
SUNY at Albany President George M. Philip said: “I would like to thank Governor David Paterson and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for this funding through the Green Innovation Grant program. These funds will enable us to be better environmental stewards and uphold our commitment to sustainability.”
City of Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian said: “In these economically challenging times, cities must look at harnessing new and emerging technologies to help control costs. This stimulus funding will help save the city of Troy up to 350 million gallons of water per year, thereby saving us thousands of dollars a year for our water department. I want to thank Governor Paterson and Acting EFC President Matt Millea for recognizing that it’s important for cities to literally rebuild their infrastructure using green technologies now.”
