Environmental Watchdog Finds Stimulus Well Spent

ALBANY, NY (02/16/2011)(readMedia)-- On the second anniversary of the passage of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, better known as the "stimulus," Environmental Advocates of New York released an original report on how the state spent its share of the economic stimulus package. New York is set to receive approximately $33.5 billion in stimulus funds, of which about $5 billion has been or will be directed to projects and programs with environmental benefits. Click here to read the complete report, $timulating Green.

"Rather than a waste of taxpayers' money decried by some pundits, New York's share of the stimulus is already reducing water pollution, saving energy, and making a significant dent in the state's public transportation infrastructure needs. New York smartly directed stimulus dollars to worthy green projects that are helping the state's economic recovery while protecting our air, land and water," said Alison Jenkins, Fiscal Policy Program Director for Environmental Advocates of New York.

According to $timulating Green:

• Almost $500 million was invested in clean and drinking water infrastructure, offsetting the $74.9 billion needed to address New York's aging water infrastructure.
• The state is investing nearly $1.7 billion in energy efficiency and clean energy projects across the state, reducing our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and saving New Yorkers money on energy costs.
• More than $2.6 billion is being invested in transportation projects from Buffalo to the Bronx, not just rebuilding highways, but reducing traffic congestion by improving public transportation and high speed rail projects.

According to the Office of the State Comptroller, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received $432 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which financed 80 projects, including a landfill closure in Plattsburgh and a green parking lot that will reduce storm water impacts in Lindenhurst. The Department of Health received $86.6 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which financed 30 projects, including the installation of new water meters in Saranac Lake. The new meters will reduce water use by 20 percent, saving the village 70 million gallons of water annually.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported that New York received almost $1.7 billion in stimulus funds for energy projects. Of these monies, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority has awarded more than $350 million in grants for various energy efficiency projects statewide, including a $264,000 grant to convert the Town of Danby's Highway Department office heating system to renewable biomass, cutting the office's annual heating bills by an estimated $22,000. The Village of Montebello received a stimulus grant for $57,000 to install a solar electric system at the village's community center, which will produce a net savings of about $3,000 annually in "returned" electricity.

Of the $3.7 billion in stimulus funds earmarked for transportation, $151 million were directed to high speed rail. These funds put a dent in the $10.7 billion in rail needs identified in the 2009 New York State Rail Plan. The stimulus also made much needed investments in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA will have received $1.41 billion in capital infrastructure when all of the stimulus money has been spent. According to New York recovery website, stimulus spending on transportation has created more than 2,600 jobs.

Environmental Advocates reviewed several data sources to compile its report, including stimulus tracking websites maintained by the Office of the State Comptroller, New York Recovery, Federal Recovery and the New York State Division of the Budget Financial Plan. Click here for the complete report.

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Environmental Advocates of New York's mission is to protect our air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. We work to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader. For more information, visit www.eany.org.