Governor Hochul Kicks Off Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act Listening Tour

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the educational listening tour for the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in Buffalo. The educational listening tour is part of the State's commitment to a collaborative and transparent process in the delivery of Bond Act funds. The tour provides an opportunity for the public and potential funding applicants to learn more about the Bond Act, and for the community to weigh in on the draft eligibility guidelines being developed to identify potential projects. The Bond Act was the largest environmental measure on the ballot nationwide in 2022, and marks the largest Bond Act in New York history and first since 1996.

"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," Governor Hochul said. "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 session featured presentations on the Bond Act and the opportunity for one-on-one discussion with representatives of New York State agencies and authorities.

The next stops on the listening tour include:

• Central New York: June 8, from 1 to 3 p.m., State University of New York Cortland, Corey Union Function Room
• NEW! 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
• NEW! Brooklyn: August 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Brooklyn College
• Lower Hudson: August 15, 1 to 3 p.m., Westchester County Center, Little Theater
• NEW! Bronx: August 22, 6 to 8 p.m., La Central YMCA gymnasium
• Long Island: August 24, 1 to 3 p.m., Suffolk County Community College, Suffolk Credit Union Arena

To register for any of these sessions, visit www.ny.gov/bondact.

Overwhelmingly approved by voters last fall, the Bond Act prioritizes investments in environmental justice, climate change mitigation, shoreline restoration, flood resilience, water quality, open space land conservation, recreational resources and green jobs.

The landmark Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is the largest environmental bond in state history and the first in New York since 1996. The Bond Act will make $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects that also support job creation and a substantial investment in the Clean Green Schools initiative that will serve more than 1,000 under-resourced public schools. Recognizing that vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by negative environmental and climate change impacts, 40 percent of Bond Act benefits will be directed toward disadvantaged communities.

Specifically, the Environmental 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 in the Act.

State agencies, local governments and partners will be able to access Environmental Bond Act funding over a multi-year process. An inter-agency working group is currently identifying needs for environmental funding across the state and developing program logistics for Bond Act implementation.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "DEC is excited to join Governor Hochul for today's opening listening session to help foster a better understanding of the opportunities provided by the historic Bond Act and hear from the public firsthand about projects of interest in their communities. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and our agency partners to share information about the Bond Act across the state and lay the foundation for a successful implementation of this transformative effort."

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "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. 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."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "This is a defining moment in our work to create a better climate future by leveraging New York's historic environmental Bond Act to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods across the state. The listening tour enhances our ability to garner important feedback from more New Yorkers - including in historically underserved communities - giving voice to a diverse set of local climate investment priorities that will guide us in our decision making and ensure generations to come benefit from our growing green economy and more resilient communities."

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "The Bond Act listening tour is a great opportunity to connect with local governments, community partners and individuals from across the state to hear their ideas and insights on the type of environmental projects that will be most significant to their communities. I look forward to these discussions and continuing to advance the Environmental Bond Act to foster a clean environment, further environmental justice, address climate change, and expand access to healthy outdoor recreation."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Direct engagement with New Yorkers for the Environmental Bond Act will lead to better projects and initiatives, protect us from a changing climate, and strengthen long-term sustainability. HCR's Office of Resilient Homes and Communities looks forward to hearing more about the priorities of community members across the State."

Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “OGS is proud to support Governor Hochul and our agency partners as we solicit feedback from local communities throughout New York State through the Environmental Bond Act listening tour. Our State is a leader in addressing climate change, incorporating resiliency and sustainability across State operations, and stands at the forefront of the fight for environmental justice. I am proud of our work in facilitating these critical listening sessions as we gather the public input on the most impactful ways to allocate the Bond Act funds across New York.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Environmental Bond Act has unparalleled potential to lift vulnerable communities while creating good paying jobs and investing in a more resilient New York State. These listening sessions spearheaded by Governor Hochul, will provide communities with a unique opportunity to share their ideas, which in turn will help inform the process on how these important funds are put into action. This is a generational opportunity to invest in the environmental future of the Empire State, and the Department of Transportation is proud to be part of these sessions - to listen, to learn, and to enhance equity and sustainability in every region of New York.”

The Nature Conservancy's New York Director of Policy and Strategy Jessica Ottney Mahar said, "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. 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."