FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 8, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCE $220 MILLION IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDING FOR NEW YORK CITY CLEAN WATER PROJECTS
City Receives Stimulus Funds for Innovative, Sustainable Clean Water Infrastructure
Governor David A. Paterson and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that the City of New York will receive $220 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for water infrastructure improvements via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
City water quality improvement projects will include:
- Energy-efficiency and equipment upgrades to save money and improve water quality at wastewater treatment facilities in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.
- Measures to reduce flooding from heavy rains in flooding hotspots throughout the city, including Cambria Heights and Far Rockaway in Queens and Pelham Parkway in the Bronx.
- Wetland restoration and an ecology park in Paerdegat Basin in Brooklyn.
"I am thrilled to join Mayor Bloomberg today to announce this important and urgently needed funding for environmental projects in the City of New York. These projects will provide a bounty to New York City by saving money through increased energy efficiency, protecting our waterways through improved wastewater treatment, reducing flooding after heavy rains and restoring precious wetlands," Governor Paterson said. "I thank President Obama and New York's Congressional Delegation for their hard work to include funding for water infrastructure within the economic recovery program. The City has tremendous infrastructure needs and this funding is an important down payment on protecting and improving our urban waterways."
"We have the nation's most sweeping urban environmental agenda, so we leave our children a greener, healthier city," Mayor Bloomberg said. "The infusion of stimulus dollars for water projects will bolster our aggressive programs and help us improve water quality in our rivers and bays, and reduce flooding in areas that have long suffered from storm water flooding - particularly in Southeast Queens. The stimulus funds will also be used for open space and open street greening projects, and will create jobs quickly with projects that will all begin in the next few months. I want to again thank President Obama and our entire Congressional Delegation for their work in delivering for New York City."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Board Chairman Pete Grannis said: "New York's future depends on clean water. The health of our communities, the protection of our environment and the prospects for economic growth all are linked to modern, reliable water infrastructure systems. Today, thanks to the efforts of Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation to secure federal stimulus funds for clean water projects, we are making an investment in the people of New York City and its economic future."
The EFC will administer the entirety of the City's $220 million ARRA grant working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority. The City will receive $189 million in grant funding for conventional clean water projects and $30.6 million for projects that incorporate innovative, "green" technologies. The City will use $22 million of its green funding "green infrastructure projects" with the remaining $8 million in green monies supporting innovative upgrades at conventional treatment facilities subject to approval by the EPA.
In April, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson awarded New York State with its $432 million clean water grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since then, Governor Paterson has announced 39 clean water projects totaling more than $560 million that will receive financial assistance from the stimulus program in combination with EFC low-interest Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) financing. As mandated by the Recovery Act, 20 percent of each state's clean water allocation must fund water quality projects that use innovative approaches to energy and water efficiency, incorporate "green" infrastructure and use innovative treatment technologies. For more information about the ARRA and the CWSRF program, please visit www.recovery.ny.gov .
New York City's ARRA monies will fund six important water quality projects:
"Green" Infrastructure Projects
Green Streets: Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens
The City will receive $2 million to reduce flooding from heavy rains in Staten Island, the Bronx and Queens by transforming existing roadway drainage into "green" infrastructure that will both beautify neighborhoods and protect local waterways from untreated stormwater runoff. To accomplish these objectives, the City will plant trees, build street planters and landscape rain swales, which will capture and store more water during heavy rains. The Corporation has worked closely with the Mayor's Office and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to address flooding hotspots in neighborhoods such as Cambria Heights and Far Rockaway in Queens and Pelham Parkway in the Bronx. Project construction is expected to begin in January 2010 and be completed in January 2012, at which time the property will be maintained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Ecology Park: Brooklyn
The City will receive $20 million to restore 38 acres of wetlands and natural grasslands adjacent to the Paerdegat Basin Combined Sewer Overflow Facility located on the shores of Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn. With nearly 500,000 residents living in the drainage area of the Basin, stormwater runoff has increased five-fold annually since the 1930s. The City will implement an environmentally friendly stormwater management plan by reintroducing local vegetation, restoring the shoreline and constructing a large catch basin to prevent rainwater runoff and street litter from reaching the Bay. When the project is completed, five acres of parkland will become the "Ecology Park," which will offer open-access to salt marshes and grassland areas with permeable pavement walkways and viewing platforms. The park will also include exhibits to serve as an educational tool for schools and tourists to learn about the coastal habitats that occur within the New York City region. Project construction is expected to be completed in January 2012, at which time the property will be maintained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Clean Water Projects
Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Sludge Ships: Brooklyn
The City will commission three new sludge ships, expected to cost the City approximately $119 million. The new ships will replace two, 30 year-old ships that have reached the end of their useful lives. The new ships will make one thousand fewer trips per year than the retired barges between the Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant and the 26th Ward Water Pollution Control Plant in Brooklyn, saving the City an estimated $19 million in fuel costs over the 30-year operating-lives of the vessels. Construction of the ships is scheduled to begin January 2010 and will be completed by February 2013.
26th Ward Water Pollution Control Plant: Brooklyn
The City will receive $50 million to replace two obsolete gas turbine emergency generators with three new diesel-powered emergency generators. In addition, the City will renovate the facility's emergency generator and replace outdated electrical equipment. The new generators will provide the plant with a dependable back-up power source and permit the plant to continue operations off the grid during periods of peak energy. Project construction will begin in December 2009 and be completed in July 2012.
Port Richmond Water Pollution Control Plant: Staten Island
The City will receive $29 million to upgrade the plant's sludge digesters which will power new boilers, saving energy costs and reducing the facility's carbon emissions by 1,700 metric tons per year. Project construction is expected to begin in January 2010 and completed in December 2012.
Hunts Point Water Pollution Control Plant: Bronx
The City will receive $47 million to repair anaerobic sludge digesters and install new treatment equipment. The new digesters will improve solids handling and generate additional digester gas for on-site power, saving energy costs and reducing the facilities carbon footprint. The City will begin construction December 2009 and anticipates that it will complete construction by January 2012.
Wards Island Water Pollution Control Plant: Manhattan
The City will receive $25 million to replace the primary settling tank influent gates, the primary sludge pumps and reconstruct the associated degritting and collection systems. The primary sludge pumping and degritting system were installed in the 1970's and the deteriorated condition of the infrastructure requires replacement. The City will complete the project in March 2012.
Funding totaling $162 million, which is now available due to the use of stimulus dollars on the aforementioned projects, will be used to support the following projects:
Southeast Queens Sewers and Water Mains: Queens (Non-ARRA)
The City will use $45 million in newly available funding to upgrade sewer and water main infrastructure to relieve flooding in the Southeast Queens area, which often has flooding problems.
Rockaway Water Pollution Control Plant: Queens (Non-ARRA)
The City will use $18 million in newly available funding to reconstruct the plant's substation to ensure the long-term reliability of the plant's electrical system.
Various Citywide Sewer and Water Main Projects: Citywide (Non-ARRA)
The City will use $99 million in newly available funding to complete various sewer and water main projects at locations throughout the five boroughs. The funding will provide for replacements, extensions and enhancements of water mains and storm and sanitary sewers.
The following statements were submitted in support of the New York City Clean Water Projects:
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: "Today's announcement by Mayor Bloomberg that the stimulus funds we passed in Congress will be used to upgrade New York City's water and sewage treatment system is great news for City residents. Investment in these types of wastewater management projects is critical to ensuring the City's environmental health for years to come. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and the rest of the New York Congressional Delegation to fight for New York's fair share of federal dollars."
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said: "I am very pleased that out of $219.5 million in stimulus funds that New York City will receive for sewage and water projects, Brooklyn will receive $116.52 million of those funds. I commend the Obama Administration for investing those dollars into such vital resources for our community. Investing in these water systems and sewage projects will create jobs, bring more investments into Brooklyn and revamp these essential water structures."
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said: "Few things are more important to our city of islands than the health of our waterways. I commend President Obama for his leadership in providing this funding to improve New York City's environment and I thank Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg for their continued wise stewardship of federal stimulus funding for our State and City."
Congressman Michael E. McMahon said: "The Economic Recovery funds going to the Port Richmond Water Pollution Control Plant will stimulate the economy in the short term by creating jobs and contributing to our local economy. It is also a smart long-term investment in our infrastructure, allowing the plant to operate for an additional 25 years through environmentally-friendly improvements. This project, like the Greenstreets stimulus funding Staten Island is also receiving, will improve the daily lives of all Staten Islanders. I applaud Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg for their continued commitment to the residents of this Island."
Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said: "This investment will provide necessary upgrades to the wastewater infrastructure citywide, saving energy and fuel costs, creating jobs and providing residents with clean drinking water. Restoring wetlands and natural grasslands will provide environmentally responsible relief from the flooding that occurs in many areas throughout the city."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: "Residents and communities in the five boroughs will benefit from this historic investment in clean water infrastructure projects. The projects will help to prevent flooding and wastewater run-off and protect wetlands right here in New York City. I am pleased that despite the economic recession the federal government is committed to providing states with the assistance they need to improve infrastructure while putting people back to work. I thank Governor Paterson and the New York Congressional Delegation for their leadership in obtaining these stimulus funds."
Senator Antoine Thompson said: "As Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, I am pleased to hear that Governor Paterson has secured $220 million in economic recovery funding for New York City clean water projects. This funding will be used for energy-efficiency and clean water upgrades which will save money and improve water quality."
Assemblyman Joe Lentol said: "This is exactly what President Obama intended when he created the stimulus package. This will be creating jobs, stimulating the local economy and working towards cleaning up an environmental travesty right here in Brooklyn and I am proud to support it."
New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said: "These improvements to our water infrastructure are a real win-win-win for New York City. They'll help us put more New Yorkers to work and bring extra dollars into our local economy. At the same time they'll help us become even more environmentally responsible, and will save us additional money in the future. This is exactly the kind of work that Federal stimulus funding is intended to create, and I want to thank President Obama, Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and all of our representatives in Congress for helping to make this a reality."
New York City Councilmember David Yassky said: "These critical infrastructure improvements are necessary to protect and create jobs, continue to promote a green future for the City of New York, and improve water quality across our city. It is essential that federal stimulus dollars are spent productively and efficiently, and these projects should go a long way toward that necessary goal."
EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou said: "The projects announced today illustrate how the benefits of Recovery Act funding will touch communities in every borough, with projects that will make New York City's wastewater infrastructure more efficient, restore valuable wetlands and help mitigate neighborhood flooding from heavy rains. The Recovery Act is all about investing in projects that benefit the environment and local communities while creating well-paying jobs to help boost the economy. Clearly New York is investing wisely."
EFC Acting President Matthew Millea said: "For twenty years, EFC has provided low-cost financing to the City of New York and we are honored to join Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg in announcing this funding today. The federal stimulus program has provided a tremendous boost to the State's efforts to fund urgently needed clean water infrastructure in a sustainable and environmentally-sensitive manner."
NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray Jr. said: "Today's announcement further demonstrates the effectiveness Recovery Act funding has played in reinvigorating our State's economy by creating jobs in a Clean Energy Economy that reduces our energy consumption and protects our environment. Because of the tremendous work done by Governor Paterson and New York's Congressional Delegation, the people of New York stand to benefit from improved water and air quality, a healthier environment, and secure energy future."
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Program Director Dereth Glance said: "Reinvesting in our water infrastructure is a core civic obligation that advances community vitality, improves water quality and puts people to work. Every member of the public benefits when the government invests in clean and safe water. We applaud the leadership of Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and our members of Congress that delivered this crucial down payment to address the clean water crisis."
National Resources Defense Council New York program director Eric A. Goldstein said: "This new funding will inject much-needed resources to help clean city waterways, restore our waterfront, reduce flooding and save energy. We commend Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg and our Congressional Delegation for their efforts to secure these funds and for dedicating them to meet these critical infrastructure needs."