FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $38 MILLION
FOR DRINKING WATER AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PROJECTS
Federal Stimulus Funding Set Aside for Green Innovations to Protect Waterways, Promote Energy Efficiency
Governor David A. Paterson today called for projects to be submitted for a new grant program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and designed to promote water conservation, energy efficiency, green infrastructure and other green innovation projects. The new Green Innovation Grant Program will provide at least $38 million for local projects.
“Clean water should be a high priority for every community,” said Governor Paterson. “That’s why we are promoting a statewide agenda to improve infrastructure that will help protect our magnificent rivers, lakes and streams. Now, with ARRA aid, New York can make rapid progress on this critical issue. Thanks to President Obama and New York’s Congressional Delegation, we can help communities upgrade drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems, and we can make these improvements in an environmentally-sustainable way.”
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded more than $430 million to the State of New York for wastewater infrastructure projects, the single largest grant in EPA history. This funding that will create thousands of jobs, help jumpstart local economies and protect human health and the environment. This federal stimulus funding also provides a minimum of $35 million for innovative clean water projects (wastewater, storm water) and a minimum of $3 million for innovative drinking water projects through the Green Innovation Grant Program.
Grants of up to 90 percent of eligible project costs will be available, requiring a 10 percent match from grant recipients. Candidates for the new program have to be 100 percent under contract or proceeding with construction no later than January 1, 2010. The grants will be administered through the State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Applications are due on May 29, 2009. Those who are interested should submit applications to EFC as soon as possible to maximize the chances of receiving funding.
Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Pete Grannis, who also serves as the chair of the EFC, said: “This new program could not be more timely. Around the State, water infrastructure is deteriorating, putting public health and municipal finances at risk. We need infrastructure investments now to protect our waters and communities. And by setting aside money for ‘green’ infrastructure, we’re laying the ground work for environmentally friendly and energy efficient upgrades.”
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., who serves on EFC’s Board of Directors, said: “We thank President Obama and Governor Paterson for recognizing the vital issue of green infrastructure in assuring that New Yorkers have safe and reliable drinking water systems.”
Matthew Millea, Acting President of the EFC, said: “Under the leadership of Governor David Paterson, New York is leading the way in promoting innovative approaches to building environmentally friendly, energy efficient and resource efficient water and wastewater treatment technologies. The state will now be able to offer communities, school districts, not-for-profits and others funding for innovative, green approaches to controlling storm water runoff and conserving energy and water resources.”
Senator Antoine M. Thompson, Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, said: “I am excited to see a large amount of EPF stimulus money going towards cleaner water. Preserving and protecting clean water is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.”
Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, said: “Protecting our natural resources and making sure the health and safety of our residents are not compromised by environmental hazards must remain paramount despite the harsh fiscal realities facing the state. These funds will enable new technologies to be used to keep our greatest resource – our water – clean.”
Green infrastructure plays an important role in addressing environmental, economic, and public health issues. For example, green infrastructure can reduce and treat storm water runoff at its source before it reaches the sewer system. The term “green” innovations applies to the following general project categories:
- Water efficiency, reuse or conservation projects. Examples include water reclamation, recycling or reuse of storm water or wastewater effluent and municipal projects to replace appliances and fixtures with more efficient water-saving alternatives.
- Energy efficiency projects that reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy or produce clean energy such as the use of solar power at water or wastewater facilities, including the replacement of pumps with high efficiency models.
- Wet weather or storm water management infrastructure designed to maintain, restore, evaporate or recycle storm water. A variety of green storm water practices are eligible including restoration of natural buffers and wetlands, green roofs, street tree management and “Green Streets” designs that combine natural storm water management in transportation right-of-ways.
- Environmentally innovative projects that manage water resources to prevent or remove pollution in an economically sustainable way.
For more information about the new program, go to: www.nysefc.org/GreenGrants. For more information on the State of New York’s efforts to administer its share of ARRA monies, go to Governor Paterson's Economic Recovery website at: www.EconomicRecovery.ny.gov.
