New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently launched her educational listening tour for the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in Buffalo, New York, providing an opportunity for the public and potential applicants to learn more about the Bond Act, which was passed back in 2022.
"The Environmental Bond Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund projects across New York that will protect clean water, create good-paying jobs, protect our beautiful open spaces and promote environmental justice," Hochul stated of the tour. "This listening tour will connect communities with State agency experts to begin this collaborative and transparent process and lay the groundwork to deliver essential funding across the state."
The landmark Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act was overwhelmingly approved by voters last fall and prioritizes investments in climate change mitigation, environmental justice, and a number of other environmental areas. By the numbers, the Bond Act authorizes $1.5 billion for climate change mitigation, $1.1 billion for restoration and flood risk reduction, $650 million for water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure, $650 million for open space land conservation and recreation, and $300 million for other projects not specifically allocated yet.
"New York's $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act provides communities an extraordinary opportunity to protect clean water, reduce pollution, conserve wildlife habitat, and create good jobs,” remarked The Nature Conservancy's New York Director of Policy and Strategy Jessica Ottney Mahar of the tour. “The Nature Conservancy is thrilled to be at the first stop on the listening tour that kicks off implementation of the Bond Act. This tour provides opportunities for stakeholders to learn about available funding, share perspectives on community needs, and provide input on program design. Through this exciting process, programs will be crafted to position communities throughout the state to realize the promise of the Bond Act and deliver projects that improve quality of life now, and for future generations of New Yorkers."
The listening tour’s next stops are as follows: Central New York: June 8, from 1 to 3 p.m., State University of New York Cortland, Corey Union Function Room, Virtual Meetings: June 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., North Country: July 14, 1 to 3 p.m., North Country Community College, Sparks Athletic Complex Alumni Gymnasium, Capital Region: July 20, 1 to 3 p.m., University at Albany, Campus Center Auditorium, Brooklyn: August 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Brooklyn College, Lower Hudson: August 15, 1 to 3 p.m., Westchester County Center, Little Theater, Bronx: August 22, 6 to 8 p.m., La Central YMCA gymnasium, and Long Island: August 24, 1 to 3 p.m., Suffolk County Community College, Suffolk Credit Union Arena.
"EFC was pleased to join Governor Hochul and our partners in state government today to engage with communities about the first funding available through the Bond Act for water infrastructure,” New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman noted of the tour. “There is $425 million in EFC grants available now for critical projects. Modern, resilient water systems are critical for the health of our communities, the protection of our natural resources, and the success of local economies. We encourage local governments to apply and take advantage of this funding."
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