Proposals would bolster NY’s role as national leader on protecting our environment and fighting climate change
For immediate release: January 5, 2022
Contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 631-384-1378, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY—Today Governor Hochul issued her first State of the State address as Governor. In response, Citizens Campaign for the Environment issued the following statement:
Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director, said “CCE applauds Governor Hochul for her ambitious and forward-thinking environmental agenda delivered today in the State of the State address. These critical environmental initiatives will not only protect our environment and public health, but will also fight climate change, boost our economy, and help make New York a leader on offshore wind.”
“The challenges of addressing clean water, clean air and sustainability are vast, but with a clear vision for New York we can achieve a safer, healthier tomorrow. The Governor hit all the right topics including clean water, clean air, fighting climate change, creating a green economy, and addressing our solid waste crisis. These programs enjoy overwhelming public support and will continue to propel New York forward as a national leader on environmental protection,” continued Esposito.
Brian Smith, CCE Associate Executive Director, said “New York’s growing solid waste crisis requires bold action, and this exactly what the Governor has proposed to do. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) would require manufacturers to take responsibility for their products throughout their entire product life cycle, by bearing the cost of recycling for packaging and paper. Not only does this provide much needed relief to taxpayers, but it also serves as an incentive for producers to minimize packaging materials, improve recyclability, and reduce the toxicity of their products.
Highlights from State of the State:
$4 Billion Environmental Bond Act: The Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act includes funding for land preservation, fighting climate change, managing wastewater and filtering drinking water, electric buses and more.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Paper and Packaging –An EPR program for packing and paper products will require producers — not taxpayers — cover the cost of recycling. With EPR, producers become financially responsible for their products through the entire product lifecycle, incentivizing them to reduce waste, invest in recycling infrastructure, make products that are easier to recycle.
Expanded Wetlands Protection - Wetlands provide a natural buffer for flood protection and clean water, saving us from violent storms. Expanding New York’s wetlands program by improving mapping requirements and enhancing regulations around smaller wetlands will not only protect our environment but also protect New York communities.
Reduce Toxic Packaging. –Reducing toxic and environmentally persistent chemicals in packaging and paper products by expanding the Hazardous Packaging rules by restricting two long-lasting chemicals — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and phthalates — in all packaging.
Invest $500 Million in Critical Offshore Wind Infrastructure: Including ports, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure needed to advance our offshore wind industry, leveraging private capital to deliver more than $2 billion in economic activity while creating 2,000 good-paying green jobs.
Transitioning to Renewables - Governor Hochul will direct NYSERDA, DPS, and DEC to develop a blueprint to guide the retirement and redevelopment of New York’s oldest and most-polluting fossil fuel facilities and their sites by 2030.
Safe guarding Long Island’s Aquifer and Water Sources - The State University of New York (SUNY) will expand SUNY Stony Brook Center for Clean Water Technology research to include waste water treatment technology and create the Suffolk County Wastewater Management District.
Combat Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Support Localities: Grants for septic system replacements, since replacing inadequate septic systems can greatly reduce the amount of wastewater-related nutrients that end up in a stream or lake. Rather than just treating HABs once they have formed, these grants will enable a proactive approach to mitigating these environmental hazards before they start.