STATEN ISLAND, NY — Staten Island residents heading to the polls to cast their ballots are spending millions of dollars to strengthen climate change infrastructure, better protect communities, and fund a healthy environment. You will have a say in your ability to borrow.
The $4.2 billion Environmental Protection for Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Act, introduced in Gov. You can vote on .
The law is the only statewide measure that allows voters to choose a simple “yes” or “no” answer to approve funding for projects aimed at addressing a range of environmental and health concerns. is.
Here’s what you should know:
What is the 2022 Environmental Protection Act?
The Bond Act allows borrowing money to finance capital projects. This year’s proposal includes her four major programs, explains Jessica Ottney-Mahar, director of policy and strategy at The Nature Conservancy.
A total of $650 million for water quality and resilient infrastructure, $650 million for open space conservation and recreation, $1.1 billion for flood risk reduction, and $1.5 billion for climate change mitigation assigned.
At least 35% of the total should be destined for areas considered to be overly impacted by environmental pressures. This is an ongoing effort under the state’s climate law that preliminarily identifies parts of Staten Island at greater risk than other parts of New York State.
Ottney-Mahar said the measure will support specific projects that fall under key issues of concern statewide.
For example, $200 million of the bill would be allocated for sewage infrastructure, and $250 million would be used to improve stormwater infrastructure, which experts say will reduce the risks posed by extreme storms caused by human influence. It needs to scale to handle growth. climate change.
“It might be like restoring waterfronts and coastal wetlands to help us buffer from storms, but building infrastructure, removing road culverts and blowing out roads. We have had storms and people have been unable to go to school or work,” said Otney Maher.
Other projects that could benefit from this funding include new cooling centers for communities to avoid severe heat impacts, and zero-emission school buses and greenery to mitigate the negative effects of pollution. roof expansion.
The funds also provide a unique opportunity for New York State to receive more financial allocations for infrastructure projects.
Programs included in the recently passed bipartisan Infrastructure and Reducing Inflation Act require local funding equivalent to federal dollars, and more for projects in New York if state bond laws are passed. Funds are provided to New York to receive many funds.
Gov. Kathy Hochol visited Rosebank on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 to join officials as they toured the devastation caused by the debris of Hurricane Ida earlier in the week. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)
How was this law put to the vote?
New York last passed an Environmental Assurance Act in 1996, when $1.75 billion in spending was passed under former Republican Governor George Pataki.
The latest measures were first proposed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2019 (albeit with a $3 million price tag), but have since come amidst the struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. was removed from the budget.
Hochul raised the cost of the act, making it the largest in the state’s history. And now, a large coalition of legislators and supporters has a significant push to pass this bill.
“We are focused on addressing some of the major environmental issues facing our communities,” said Ottney-Mahar. “Providing clean drinking water, addressing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather – such as flooding and urban heat – and protecting the natural resources we depend on. .”
It’s a simple yes or no choice, and if a majority of voters agree to approve the funding, it will be done.
Silver Lake Park is shown in the photos in this file. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores) staff shot
Strong approval, limited resistance to measures
Coordinated efforts to support this measure still exist, but have met with limited backlash.
A wide range of environmental groups, including community groups, support passage of the bill, and concerted efforts are underway to separate the bill from political affiliation.
“These are issues that are pervasive across our state and affect everyone equally, regardless of political affiliation,” said Otney Maher. “This is not a political action.”
An October University of Siena poll found support for the bond law “remains strong”, with 54% of voters approving the bill and just 26% opposing it. I didn’t plan to.
The New York Conservative Party was the most vocal critic of the referendum, saying it would expand the state’s debt.
“New Yorkers don’t need another $4.2 billion in public debt,” New York Conservative Party Chairman Gerald Casale said in a statement.
Despite noting that the acts and arguments in support of the proposal “referenced a number of projects that might warrant consideration,” the party “remained responsible for all remaining funds from previous state action.” A full review and adoption would generate an additional $4.2 billion.”
These previous state actions included the Bond Act of 1996, and Otney Mahal said the negotiation process was hampered by stalled previous memorandums of understanding, but there is still money left.
A difference from the current bond law is that there is no such provision, Otney Maher added.
“We hope that what we have learned since the last bond act, and how this bond act works with other state or federal programs, will create many efficiencies that will help move this money into our communities. We can do these specific purposes very efficiently,” she said.
Ho-chul, who is running for his first full term as governor, has called on voters outwardly to vote “Yes” for the Bond Act, calling it a “game-changing investment in infrastructure for a clean energy future.” calling.
“We care about human life on this planet and mobilize to ensure that everyone who lives in New York State votes in favor of this bond law,” Hochul said at a press conference on Sept. 21. I need it,” he said.
Her opponent, Republican gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin, was asked to comment on his position on the bill but did not respond.
“With the Environmental Bonds Act on the ballot, voters have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the quality of life on Staten Island and in every corner of the state,” said New York League of Conservation Voters. “From strengthening our infrastructure to be more resilient to storm surges and floods, replacing water pipes to make our drinking water safer, and making our schools and buildings more energy efficient, thousands of highly paid While supporting the work of unions, the Environmental Bond Act will create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for Staten Island and all New Yorkers.”
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Related article: Staten Island and the Environment
