Summary
By establishing the "State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act" would require that state agencies' projects that construct, expand, or reconstruct public infrastructure comply with certain criteria for smart growth.  These criteria aim to maximize the use of existing infrastructure in existing communities and minimize unnecessary taxpayer costs associated with new infrastructure in undeveloped open space. 

Explanation
New York State is increasingly afflicted with haphazard, short-sighted urban and suburban sprawl that threatens our quality of life.  A recent survey revealed that, while the population in upstate New York only grew by 2.6% from 1982 to 1997, the amount of land developed there increased by 30%. Central New York saw its population decline by 6,500, while 100,000 acres of the region's farms and forests were lost to development.

This bill recognizes the State's own role - and expenses incurred - in encouraging wasteful urban sprawl. It requires that state agencies designated as "infrastructure agencies" – e.g. the Departments of Transportation, Education, and Health, the State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the Dormitory Authority, and others – examine the projects they finance with consideration to smart growth criteria.

Environmental Advocates of New York strongly supports this bill.