October 1 , 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN THE NORTH COUNTRY
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $3.5 million for innovative water quality projects in the North Country through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds were awarded to five 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 North Country 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.
North Country projects to receive Green Innovation Grants include:
- $1.33 million to the City of Glens Falls, Warren County for environmentally- innovative and energy-efficient upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility by creating an alternative approach to managing waste grease from commercial kitchens. The project will utilize waste as a fuel source and minimize disruptions to the facility.
- $1 million to the City of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County for the upgrade of equipment with energy-efficient and innovative components including the creation of biomass fuel, from sewage sludge.
- $1 million for the Village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County for the installation of approximately 2,000 new water meters, fully metering the remainder of the system and reducing water usage by approximately 70 million gallons per year.
- $216,400 to the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County for the installation of over 300 new water meters for the water distribution system in the Hamlet of LaFargeville, promoting water conservation through individual metered water consumption.
- $12,500 to the Village of Speculator, Hamilton County for the purchase of pipeline inspection equipment to identify areas of the sewer lines where infiltration and inflow are occurring. This analysis will enable the Village to take steps to reduce water in-leakage and energy usage.
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 North Country’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 will reduce energy costs while creating jobs.”
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: “These investments in Northern New York water projects will help promote job growth while providing our communities with safe, quality drinking water. The city of Ogdensburg’s proposal to use waste from the sewer system to meet their energy needs is the type of creative plan that meets the objectives of this stimulus funding and has the potential to create jobs, save money and better serve the community.”
Senator Betty Little said: “Ensuring access to clean and affordable drinking water is one of the most basic responsibilities of any municipality. But there is often an expensive price tag associated with these kinds of water quality and wastewater projects and upgrades. This federal funding provides a big boost and will make possible something that might not otherwise happen due to local budget constraints. I am pleased to join Governor Paterson in announcing the awarding of these grants and look forward to seeing the improvements made that not only will help the environment but will save money over the long-term.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said: This $1 million grant will allow the Village of Saranac Lake to provide a fully-metered, affordable water system resulting in water conservation, energy savings and more accurate billing for customers. I am pleased the efforts of Village officials have been rewarded with this grant.”
Assemblywoman Addie Russell said: “I am pleased that the City of Ogdensburg is receiving funding through the Green Innovation Grant Program. As an advocate for green initiatives, I applaud EFC for recognizing the innovative approach that Ogdensburg is undertaking to create biomass fuel from sewage sludge. The city serves as a leader for many other municipalities that can engage in progressive waste treatment processes.”
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward said: “I am delighted to see money coming to these small communities that have major water needs but no source of funding to upgrade their systems. This stimulus money is vital to our municipalities as taxpayers simply cannot afford to pay for the cost of new infrastructure.”
City of Glens Falls Mayor Jack Diamond said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the search for environmentally friendly green approaches to problem solving. These upgrades to our wastewater treatment facility will turn a liability (restaurant waste grease) into an asset (fuel) thereby not only saving money, but helping the environment along the way. It's a win for the city on multiple levels.”
City of Ogdensburg City Manager, Arthur Sciorra said: “The award will be used to make energy efficiency improvements to the Waste Water Treatment Plant that according to the City's Energy Audit will save City ratepayers $85,000 per year.”
City of Ogdensburg Mayor William D. Nelson said: “The City of Ogdensburg is excited about the Green Innovation Grant; this is a project we have been working on for several years. The City of Ogdensburg greatly appreciates the support it has received from our state elected officials such as Governor Paterson, Senator Darrel Aubertine and Assemblywoman Addie Russell.”
