Business, Municipal Leaders & Green Groups Agree: Environmental Funding Stimulates New York's Economy

ALBANY, NY (01/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Representatives from environmental, business, agricultural and municipal sectors today called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to invest in New York's environment in his first Executive Budget proposal. The groups pushed for restorations to the state's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and environmental agencies, pointing to the economic stimulus provided by the Fund. The groups met in the State Capital today to launch the We Love New York campaign for environmental funding.

Resources for the state's environmental agencies and the EPF have been disproportionately cut in recent years, threatening New York's ability to continue public-private partnerships and support economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, forestry, recreation and recycling-all big employers across the state. Last year's state budget cut the EPF by 40 percent, on top of $500 million swept from the dedicated fund since 2001. State agency budgets were also targeted. The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, were cut by more than 20 percent. These cuts threatened to close state parks and historic sites, put public health at risk, and slowed down the process of permitting new businesses in New York State.

"Businesses across the state are waiting months for mandated, and necessary, permits. We can't afford to slow down the shot in the arm that new and growing businesses provide by holding up these critical permits at the Department of Environmental Conservation because the agency's short-staffed - this is a tangible investment in job creation." Rob Robinson, Chair, Chamber Alliance of New York State.

The groups called on Governor Cuomo to reverse the recent trend of gutting the state's environmental fund and agencies and instead recognize the value of environmental investments as part of his plan to reinvigorate New York's economy by restoring the EPF to $222 million in the next state budget and ending the practice of the last administration of disproportionately cutting state agencies.

A study by the Trust for Public Land reports that corporate CEO's say quality of life for employees is the third-most important factor in locating a business, behind only access to domestic markets and availability of skilled labor. Owners of small companies ranked recreation/parks/open space as the highest priority in choosing a new location for their business.

EPF programs also directly help businesses in our state increase efficiency, reduce pollution, and lower their cost of doing business. One example is the Pollution Prevention Institute, based in Rochester. "The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute focuses on enhancing environmental quality and advancing business efficiency and productivity throughout the state," noted Anahita Williamson, the institute's director. "Increased funding for pollution prevention programming will make the state 'greener' while also improving our overall business environment both for local companies and working families."

The EPF also benefits local governments by providing funding for important services for taxpayers.

"Last year's budget reduced the major Environmental Protection Program that funds municipal recycling efforts by forty percent. This is having a decimating effect on recycling programs throughout the state. Recycling coordinators are being let go, recycling education programs are being slashed and estimates now are that it will take nine years before funds will be available to fund grant applications that are submitted today. This makes municipal planning for developing and promoting recycling programs almost impossible in many communities just as the State Materials Management Plan 'Beyond Waste' is calling for localities to significant increase waste prevention, reuse and recycling," said Jeff Edwards, Legislative Committee Chair for the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3).

Environmental funding supports important sectors of our economy, including the state's $7 billion forestry industry, which employs more than 60,000 people, and the New York agricultural industry, which contributes $23 billion to the state's economy. The EPF helps pay for the protection of farmland and provides funding to farmers to comply with pollution control programs that ensure agricultural operations produce healthy food while maintaining healthy water.

"The Environmental Protection Fund is critical to farmers' efforts to preserve open space and protect water quality in New York State. Of equal importance is funding from the EPF also allows farmers to invest in their farm operations, which generates much needed jobs and tax revenue. Agriculture will drive the revitalization of the upstate economy and the success of the Environment Protection Fund will play a large role in that effort," said Dean Norton, President of New York Farm Bureau.

"Our industry can spark the recovery of New York's economy because we have this renewable resource right here in abundance," states Eric Carlson, President of the Empire State Forest Products Association." Privately owned working forests are the future of our $7 billion industry that supports 60,000 families in New York. Access to lands through public land conservation easements, enables both jobs for New Yorkers and millions in revenues while providing recreational use, clean water and carbon sequestration. We all agree the EPF needs reform but let's remember what really matters and that's jobs from renewable resources."

"The investments we make today to protect the things we love most about New York-our parks and trails, safe and clean drinking water, open spaces, and more-will pay big dividends in the future. Because every dollar that we spend safeguarding the health of our environment and our families is a dollar that attracts tourists and encourages businesses to come to New York," said Rob Moore, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates of New York.

-30-

For more information about the We Love New York campaign for environmental funding, visit www.KeepProtectingNY.org.