NYS Announces Efforts to  Safeguard Clean Water

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January 14, 2025

State of the State Proposes $500 Million for Clean Water, Bringing the State’s Investment to a Record $6 Billion and Lowering Water Bills for New York Families

Advances Policies To Help New Yorkers Protect Homes, Businesses and Infrastructure From Extreme Weather

Reauthorizes State Superfund Program To Accelerate Cleanups and Repurpose Contaminated Sites for Productive Use

Funds Land Conservation and Modernizes Processes To Expand Access to Parks and Green Spaces, Particularly in Underserved Communities

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $500 million funding commitment for clean water as part of her 2025 State of the State, bringing the state's investment to a record $6 billion. This commitment is part of a broader vision to protect drinking water and address environmental sustainability across the state. Governor Hochul’s agenda also includes initiatives to increase climate resilience in the face of extreme weather and expand access to green spaces, particularly in underserved urban areas. These efforts not only promise to create jobs and enhance environmental quality but also lay the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.

“As Governor, I remain committed to building a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient future for every New Yorker,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in clean water, green infrastructure, and resiliency, we are protecting our communities, creating jobs, and addressing climate change. These efforts lay the foundation for a stronger, more equitable future — one where environmental sustainability and community well-being go hand in hand.”

Invest in Our Water Infrastructure

Governor Hochul recognizes the pressing need to protect public health, address environmental challenges, and ensure clean drinking water is available to all New Yorkers. To ensure this, sustained investments are crucial to help municipalities meet their critical drinking water and sewer infrastructure needs.

Governor Hochul is proposing crucial initiatives to protect water infrastructure.

• Invest $500 million to reduce water bills, combat flooding, restore waterways, and replace lead service lines to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children in underserved communities.

• Launch a pilot program providing financial assistance for private well owners to test and remediate wells impacted by emerging contaminants.

• Create a new grant program focused on strengthening the cybersecurity maturity of the water and wastewater systems sector to provide technical assistance and funding for local government water and wastewater systems to effectively assess their cybersecurity posture, develop a cybersecurity plan, and improve their cybersecurity resilience.

• Direct the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Department of Public Service to begin drafting minimum cybersecurity standards for water and wastewater utilities to protect the reliability and security of our water and wastewater services.

Increase Resiliency and Safeguard New Yorkers from Extreme Weather

Following an onslaught of drenching rain, flooding, extreme weather, sweltering heat and bitter cold, Governor Hochul is proposing several actions for New York to continue building more resilient communities and adapt to the impacts of climate change:

• Expand and Strengthen the Resilient and Ready Programs. Severe weather events are leaving New York homeowners in need of urgent repairs and long-term resilience measures. Governor Hochul will increase funding for the Rapid Response Home Repair Program and Resilient Retrofits Program, which have provided vital assistance, helping over 1,300 homeowners recover and prepare for future disasters.

• Help Businesses Recover After Disasters. Governor Hochul proposes modernizing the Jobs Retention Tax Credit Program to better support businesses in disaster-affected areas. The updated program will lower the eligibility threshold to include businesses with 10 or more employees, allowing small businesses to participate for the first time. The Governor’s expansion also removes industry-specific limitations, allowing all affected businesses to seek support after an emergency event.

• Protect New York’s Infrastructure. Building on the success of the 2024 Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) program, which funded $60 million in transformative projects, Governor Hochul proposes continuing the GRG program, with Environmental Bond Act funding. This round will prioritize projects offering significant risk reduction, such as porous pavement, rain gardens, and stormwater retention systems, helping communities build greener, more resilient infrastructure.

• Invest in Coastal Resiliency. New York’s coastlines face increasing risks from extreme weather and rising sea level increases, threatening communities and economies. Governor Hochul will launch a new Department of State grant program to support nature-based solutions like living shorelines and ecosystem enhancements. Additionally, expanded funding for projects identified in Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans (LWRPs) will help address flood risks and improve sustainability, creating more resilient waterfronts statewide.

Modernizing the State Superfund Program to Address Legacy Pollution

Governor Hochul will announce a plan to reauthorize and modernize the State Superfund Program with new tools to accelerate cleanups and repurpose contaminated sites for productive uses, such as manufacturing, clean energy, housing, and community redevelopment.

For over 40 years, New York’s Superfund Program has been instrumental in cleaning hazardous waste sites and protecting communities. However, emerging contaminants like PFAS and shifting development priorities demand updates to ensure the program remains effective. To address these challenges, the updated law will prioritize sites posing the greatest public health risks, especially in disadvantaged communities that have faced disproportionate pollution.

Expanding Access to Green Spaces for All New Yorkers

Governor Hochul is prioritizing the creation and preservation of parks and open spaces, particularly in urban and underserved areas. New York offers incredible recreational and outdoor opportunities, from the majestic Adirondack High Peaks to the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. However, many communities, particularly underserved ones, lack access to green spaces that provide significant mental health and wellness benefits.

The Governor will provide funding for land conservation to protect open spaces, farmland, and enhance accessibility. Recognizing the need for streamlined processes, the Governor will also champion several key initiatives:

• Modernizing the use of title insurance to expedite land acquisitions

• Granting the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to independently acquire conservation easements; and

• Reducing the financial hurdles faced by non-profit organizations in their land conservation efforts

These changes and investments will empower the state to more effectively protect our natural heritage for future generations.

Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Governor Hochul’s clean water agenda is helping communities address New York’s most pressing water infrastructure needs, through strategic initiatives and the financial resources necessary to get shovels in the ground for critical projects. The new cybersecurity grant program will help safeguard the water sector’s IT infrastructure from increased cyber threats that have the potential to disrupt critical services and impose significant costs on affected communities. The Governor’s sustained commitment of $500 million for water infrastructure is crucial to protecting the public health of New Yorkers and our abundant natural resources, as we’ve seen with the irrefutable positive impact of EFC’s water grant programs.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s sustained commitment and historic investments to safeguard communities and protect natural resources, New York State’s support for environmental protection, resiliency, and sustainability is at record levels. Building on the successful work advanced by DEC and our many partners to address pollution, reduce habitat loss, and connect more New Yorkers to opportunities to get outside, the Governor’s 2025 State of the State initiatives and investments announced today will provide local governments, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders with the resources necessary to help reach the State’s environmental, economic, recreation, and health goals in the years to come.”

Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Protecting the public’s drinking water is of primary importance to the Department. I applaud Governor Hochul’s steadfast commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding availability, quality and affordability of our critically important water supply.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul is taking action to improve health equity and protect drinking water – a basic necessity and foundation of good health. Through this funding, municipalities can take their water infrastructure improvement projects from blueprint to groundbreaking which will help safeguard the health of their communities for years to come.”

New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, “Every day brings new reminders of the need to moderate the negative impacts of climate change and to provide people with places to improve their mental and physical health. Governor Hochul’s bold vision to strengthen environmental sustainability and resilience across the state – and build on New York State’s outstanding legacy of land conservation and broad access to outdoor recreation – is crucial for a vital future of our state.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Clean water is crucial to the health and viability of our state, and Governor Hochul’s proposals to protect New York's water and strengthen the state’s climate resiliency will further our commitment to a more sustainable future. By pledging additional funding to clean up contaminants and reinforce the state's wastewater and coastal infrastructure, the Governor is supporting strategic approaches to recovery and renewal that will make our economy even stronger.”

New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “New York’s nation-leading investment in clean water infrastructure is creating environmentally, economically and socially sustainable and resilient communities throughout the State. The Governor’s $500 million commitment will put shovels in the ground to advance transformative projects that will support public health, strengthen community resiliency and create green jobs for millions of New Yorkers, now and well into the future.”

New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern said, “Governor Hochul's leadership has put New York at the forefront of resiliency efforts nationally. The establishment of cybersecurity minimum standards and a dedicated grant program set a powerful example for others to follow. These initiatives will empower utilities with the knowledge and resources to protect New Yorkers.”