Governor Paterson and Congressman Hinchey Announce $17 million in Stimulus Funds for Middletown NY

ALBANY, NY (10/05/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson and Congressman Maurice Hinchey today announced that the City of Middletown (Orange County) will receive $17 million in grant funding from the Federal stimulus program for upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant on the Wallkill River. The $36.4 million project will modernize the City's 80 year-old treatment facility, utilizing conventional structural and equipment repairs and energy-saving, advanced water treatment processes. The project will serve approximately 25,000 residents and 700 businesses, who stand to save an estimated $15 million in avoided interest expense and energy costs.

Governor Paterson said: "This is a great investment for Orange County. Upgrading wastewater removal systems is critical to public health, environmental quality, and to our economic recovery. I would like to thank President Obama and the New York Congressional Delegation for these federal dollars that will help support job creation in Orange County and make critical infrastructure improvements in the City of Middletown for the Wallkill River."

"The delivery of this federal economic recovery funding to Middletown for the expansion and upgrade of its wastewater treatment facility will create jobs and spare local ratepayers from having to cover the significant cost of this much-needed project," said Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), who previously secured $1.25 million from Congress for water and wastewater upgrades in the city. "It's been a long time coming, but the City of Middletown can finally move forward on making these important improvements to its wastewater treatment facility, which will in turn will make the city more attractive to businesses and residents. The City of Middletown will now serve as a great example of how the economic recovery package we passed in Washington is putting people to work while enhancing communities throughout New York and the country."

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou said: "As a result of this funding from the Recovery Act, Middletown's wastewater infrastructure will be more efficient, which will benefit the environment and taxpayers alike. Projects like this one also show how green jobs are playing an integral role in rebuilding America's economy."

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation will provide financing for the majority of the $36.4 million project costs. In addition to the $17 million from the federal stimulus program, EFC will provide the City with a $12 million low-interest loan via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. EFC will also refinance an outstanding $5.7 million Bond Anticipation Note held by the City upon project completion. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will provide the City with the remaining $1.7 million from the State's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The Authority has worked closely with the Corporation to identify Recovery Act eligible, "green" technologies at treatment facilities throughout the State.

Upon completion, the project will increase the facility's treatment capacity from 6 to 8.5 Million Gallons per Day and ensure that the City complies with State and Federal water quality standards. The City's new, state-of-the-art facility will contain numerous energy-saving treatment processes, including fine bubble diffusers, high-efficiency ultraviolet disinfection system, and biogas-fueled generators. These processes will reduce the City's energy costs and produce cleaner, safer discharges into the Wallkill River. Construction began in February 2009 and is expected to be completed by February 2011.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chairman Pete Grannis said: "Like hundreds of other communities across New York, Middletown has struggled to maintain a water infrastructure system that has outlived its useful life. Today, we are making an investment in the people of Middletown and in the environmental quality of Wallkill River. Thanks to the efforts of Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation, stimulus money for clean water projects is being put to good use in New York to help protect public health and the environment, and create jobs."

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Acting President Matthew Millea said: "This project is yet another example of stimulus funding having a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers that have been hard-hit by the global recession. Thanks to Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation's support of funding water quality projects through the Federal stimulus program, we are able to make this important announcement today."

In April, the United States Environmental Protection Agency 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 thirty-nine clean water projects totaling more than $560 million that will receive financial assistance from the stimulus program. 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 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, please visit www.recovery.ny.gov.

The following quotes were provided in support of the City of Middletown's clean water project:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said: "This is a great investment for Middletown. These federal funds will create new jobs, rebuild critical infrastructure, help us clean up the environment and deliver clean drinking water to Orange County families. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."

New York State Senator John Bonacic said: "Better infrastructure means jobs and the potential for planned growth. Middletown has long needed to upgrade and expand its wastewater treatment facility. Having lived and worked in or near Middletown for decades, I know this project has long been on the City's drawing board. I am very pleased it now has the funds to move forward."

New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said: "This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will benefit the residents of the City of Middletown for years to come. I am so pleased that this project, which is so necessary, has been funded so the expansion and upgrade can finally begin."

City of Middletown Mayor Marlinda Duncanson said: "Middletown residents and businesses will greatly benefit from the cost-savings and environmental impact of this project. I really want to thank Governor Paterson and Congressman Hinchey for their hard work bringing these stimulus dollars to New York."

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Posted Monday October 05, 2009 at 11:45 am by New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation