FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 06, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $154 MILLION IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDING FOR LONG ISLAND INFRASTRUCTURE

First Approved Projects Include Reconstruction of Route 112, Bridge Maintenance and Paving

Funding will Create Estimated 3,715 Jobs on Long Island

Additional $24.5 Million Awarded to Long Island for Energy Projects

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Long Island is expected to receive at least $154 million in transportation and infrastructure funding through the recently enacted federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This critical funding will go toward much-needed highway and road repair, bridgework and other long-term improvements to the region’s infrastructure and will create an estimated 3,715 jobs. Governor Paterson made the announcement with federal, State and local officials, and construction crews at the Department of Transportation facility in Melville.

Governor Paterson also announced that the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) totaling $24.5 million to 13 Long Island municipalities. These grants can be used for building retrofits, transportation efficiency, material conservation programs including recycling and source reduction and renewable energy projects for government buildings, among other uses.

“New York’s outstanding Congressional Delegation recognized the immediate need for this funding and fought tirelessly until it was secured,” said Governor Paterson. “This money will not only put our residents back to work, it will create safer roads, stronger infrastructure and a cleaner environment for generations of future residents. The projects announced today represent just a small number of the opportunities that will be funded with economic recovery dollars. In addition to these funds, NYSDOT will award $230 million in highway and bridge contracts and Long Island will receive approximately $32 million in Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding, which the recovery funds enabled us to restore to the State budget. In total Long Island will receive over $400 million in highway and bridge funding in 2009-10.”

The economic recovery funds coming to New York for transportation projects must follow the same process required for distributing all federal transportation funds. The funds are allocated to projects that are selected by the 13 regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) across the State, which are comprised of local elected officials, local transit operators and members of the Department of Transportation (DOT). MPOs vote unanimously on projects for their Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and economic recovery funds will be directed to projects on those lists. Similarly, regions of New York without MPOs are served by DOT, which consults with local elected officials and selects projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. DOT is working with local officials and the Governor’s Economic Recovery Cabinet to identify priority shovel-ready projects eligible for economic recovery funds.

Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Today’s announcement is proof positive that the recovery act money has already started to come through to New York to put New Yorkers back to work and get this economy back on track. It is now time to put shovels in ground and get to work on these projects so New Yorkers can go back to work. That’s why we passed the recovery act and that’s just what the New York economy needs right now.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “I welcome today’s news that stimulus funds we passed in Congress have started making their way towards Long Island’s vital infrastructure needs. With continued investment in local projects, we will start to revitalize the Long Island economy by putting men and women back to work.”

Congressman Steve Israel said: “I’m on a mission to make New York State the advanced energy jobs capital of America. The $90 billion in this bill for energy efficiency, including $24.5 million for Long Island’s communities, is a good down payment. It will reduce energy costs and create new jobs. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will press for more energy investments in order to grow our economy. I look forward to continuing my work with Governor Paterson and our local communities to ensure Long Island gets its fair share of recovery funding.”

Congressman Tim Bishop, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said: “By investing today in our roads and highways, we are creating jobs, improving public safety, and building a modern infrastructure that will benefit our communities for years to come. Recovery projects such as these will help Long Island’s economy get back on track.”

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy said: “Last month I was proud to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help get our economy moving and meet our nation's most critical needs. I am pleased to see Governor Paterson’s efforts to help restore jobs and support much needed improvements in transportation infrastructure with the release of $154 million to Long Island. Additionally, the $24.5 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants will improve our local economy, create jobs and help to make Long Island more green and energy efficient.”

Congressman Gary Ackerman said: “All of these vital funds will go a long way towards upgrading our infrastructure, creating jobs and providing critical energy efficient projects. I am extremely pleased that Long Island is reaping the benefits of the stimulus package so our region can move forward during these challenging economic times.”

Senator Brian X. Foley said: “It is critical that this stimulus money move quickly towards boosting our local economy and helping Suffolk County’s working families. Restoring our infrastructure and creating well-paying jobs will help uplift our economy and create a stronger, more prosperous Long Island.”

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi said: “This funding is extremely important for Nassau County, especially during these challenging economic times, so that vital infrastructure projects can move forward. It will allow us to improve our local roads, highways and schools, and focus on green energy projects. I thank the New York Congressional delegation and Governor Paterson for working so hard to secure these funds for Long Island.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said: “When we add the major road and sewer projects initiated by Suffolk County to these and other State and federal projects, we should be putting many of our residents to work in the upcoming months while improving our infrastructure.”

DOT Executive Deputy Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “These projects will preserve the integrity of Long Island’s transportation infrastructure and improve safety for our motorists. Governor Paterson has worked hard to secure these valuable federal funds to bolster our transportation infrastructure and invest in critical job creation.”

Long Island Contractors Association (LICA) Executive Director Marc Herbst said: “We have long held that the road to New York’s economic recovery begins on Long Island. The ability to bury a recession is based on the Governor’s decision on exactly where and when to put government dollars to work. This announcement reflects an appreciation that our region has nearly 3 million people with a gross economic product of some $129 billion dollars. If you can reboot Long Island’s economy through today’s announcement then we can help the Governor refill the state’s coffers and get the rest of New York back on track.”

Transportation Projects

Governor Paterson has recently certified $99 million in projects for Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which includes $69 million in ARRA funding. Specifically, the projects include:

Energy Projects

For the energy grants announced today, municipalities must now develop a detailed application that describes how they will use the grants, and submit the applications by June 25. Governor Paterson has lined up the New York Power Authority, Long Island Power Authority, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to assist the municipalities in designing their projects to ensure all eligible municipalities receive their grants.

The EECBGs totaling $24.5 million include: