Governor Hochul Celebrates Year of Progress Addressing … – ny.gov

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said,"DEC is proud of the significant progress underway to help achieve Governor Hochul's historic commitment to the people of Mount Vernon. Working together in partnership with Mayor Patterson-Howard, County Executive Latimer, and our sister agencies, DEC is working to address decades of inequity and injustice by helping property owners meet their most basic needs with effective clean water investments that will transform this community."

Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said,"EFC is excited to celebrate a year of continuous communication and cooperation among the City of Mount Vernon, County of Westchester and our four partner agencies to help empower Mount Vernon by providing the funding,resourcesand technical assistance necessary for the city to begin making immediate fixes to critical infrastructure. From planning and design to construction, EFC is committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with Mayor Patterson-Howard and Public Works Commissioner Bush to help transform the city's crumbling infrastructure into a resilient system that residents deserve. The success of this partnership reflects Governor Hochul's commitment to Mayor Patterson-Howard and the residents of Mount Vernon."

Homes and Community Renewal CommissionerRuthAnneVisnauskas said, When Governor Hochul called us to action in Mount Vernon, we moved quickly to complement the State's historic investment with direct support to the residents most impacted by the water and sewer crisis. Thanks to the partnership with our Federal, State, and City partners, we are providing dozens of families with the peace of mind that comes from a safe and healthy home."

Department of Health Acting Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "DOH is thrilled to see that the collaboration between the City of Mount Vernon, the County of Westchester, and all partnering agencies has led to the start of construction on the water infrastructure, and the beginning of long-overdue improvements to the health of these New Yorkers. The Department thanks Governor Hochul for her enduring commitment to safe drinking water for Mount Vernon residents and all New Yorkers now and for years to come."

Chief Counsel at the Natural Resources Defense Council Mitch Bernard said,"For decades, residents of Mount Vernon, a majority-Black community, have been dealing with crumbling pipes and flooded basements with little recourse. Finally, they're getting some relief. With the completion of these wastewater infrastructure projects, the community will serve as a model for infrastructure agreements across the country to show that collaboration with state and local government can make things happen."

New York Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow said,On behalf of the residents of Mount Vernon, I wanted to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and expediency in addressing the citys sewage and water problem. The rebuilding of Mount Vernons infrastructure is the states commitment to sanitation and justice for all. This unprecedented collaboration between the state of New York, the County of Westchester, and the city of Mount Vernon is truly what good government looks like and stands for.

New York's Commitment to Clean Water

New York continues to increase its investments in clean water infrastructure. The 2023-24 Enacted budget included an additional $500 million in clean water funding as proposed by Governor Hochul, bringing New York's total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, the Governor proposed the creation of Community Assistance Teams to provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. The initiative was recently launched and outreach meetings are underway. Any community that needs help with their water infrastructure needs is encouraged to contact EFC atefc.ny.gov/CAT.

In addition, voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, advancing additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.During Earth Week, Governor Hochul announced the first availability of Bond Act funding that, when combined with existing state funding sources, totals $425million being made available instate water grant funding.Applications are duebyJuly 28 and more information can be found atefc.ny.gov/wiia.

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Governor Hochul Celebrates Year of Progress Addressing ... - ny.gov