The Nature Conservancy Commends Governor Hochul for Getting Much-Needed Funds Out the Door and into New York Communities
Governor also proposes expanding the 2022 Environmental Bond Act to $4 Billion.
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Sheila Webb-Halpern
Phone: (518) 690-7846
Governor Hochul has announced further state action on environmental protection and climate change. More than $600 million will go to communities to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure, improve water quality, and assist municipalities with local water management.
The Governor also announced she will propose adding another $1 billion to the 2022 Environmental Bond Act, which would make the measure a $4 billion initiative focused on protecting clean water, conserving wildlife habitat, and combating the pollution that causes global warming as well as the impacts communities are already experiencing such as flashfloods and deadly heat. Governor Hochul has also proposed a new name for the expanded measure.
Jessica Ottney Mahar, The Nature Conservancy’s New York policy and strategy director released the following statement:
“The Nature Conservancy applauds Governor Hochul for moving much-need clean water funding out of the door and into communities. In every corner of the state, our water infrastructure is old and failing; the total need is estimated to be $80 billion over the next two decades. This money will protect clean drinking water, modernize infrastructure, and prevent pollution from reaching our lakes, rivers, and streams. These funds will also support good, local jobs and bring significant economic returns to our cities and towns.
The Nature Conservancy supports increasing the 2022 Environmental Bond Act to $4 billion and amending the name to better convey to New Yorkers the purpose of the now $4 billion they are approving and the benefits those funds will bring to our state, including 65,000 jobs, clean water, local parks, healthy habitat, and protection from the deadly flooding and heat that comes along with climate change. Importantly, Bond Act investments will also help municipalities leverage federal, local, and private funds to address critical, local needs.”
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.