Governor Hochul Unveils $80 Million Fund for Climate Resiliency in New York, Driving Environmental and Economic Progress

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched an $80 million funding initiative to bolster the state's resistance to extreme weather events and support climate resiliency projects. These new grants, funded by the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, mark a significant investment in adapting to the threats posed by climate change while providing economic and environmental benefits to local communities. “With $80 million now available from the Environmental Bond Act, communities statewide will be able to take necessary steps to protect flood-prone areas, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure the safety of their homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. These investments will not only strengthen our ability to withstand future storms but also create healthier, more sustainable communities for future generations,” Hochul stated, in a release obtained by the Governor's office.

The funding, aimed at increasing the state's resiliency, will be spread across three primary grant programs. The Resilient Watersheds Grant Program will receive the lion's share with $45 million, for which the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is responsible. Following them, the Department of State (DOS) will manage both the Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects Program, allotted $20 million, and the Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Implementation Projects Program with $15 million. Each program targets a distinctive aspect of climate resiliency, leaning heavily on nature-based solutions to create a more robust ecosystem against the climate-induced extremities enveloping communities in increasingly devastating storms, as Governor Hochul put forth.

Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar of the DEC voiced support for the initiatives, asserting, "Through Governor Hochul’s leadership and historic Environmental Bond Act investments, New York State is improving community resilience to extreme weather events driven by climate change. Leveraged with comprehensive Executive Budget proposals, DEC and our State agency partners are advancing comprehensive flood risk reduction projects across the state that will restore our environment, improve water quality and safeguard communities.” Furthermore, Maureen A. Coleman, President, and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) emphasized their role in the enhancement, “By helping municipalities protect their critical water infrastructure from extreme weather events, we are investing in a safer, healthier, and more livable future for New Yorkers. EFC is pleased to partner with DEC to further Governor Hochul’s coordinated efforts to tackle water quality issues statewide and ensure equitable access to clean, safe water,” she affirmed in a comment reported by the Governor's office.

Prospective applicants for these grants can glean more details at a joint webinar hosted by DEC, DOS, and EFC on March 12, with the application process running through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal until June 6. Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley highlighted the long-term vision behind these efforts: “The Environmental Bond Act is a historic and transformative investment in the future of the Empire State that will pay dividends for generations to come. These essential programs and projects will have far reaching economic, social and environmental benefits for people and businesses, protecting lives, livelihoods and properties from the ravages of climate change and restoring critical habitats and ecosystems,” as retrieved from a statement by the Governor's office. These investments dovetail with Governor Hochul's Executive Budget proposal, which earmarks more than $1 billion for a sustainable future, targeting job creation, energy bill reduction, and pollution abatement.