Environmental Advocates NY Testifies in Joint Legislative Hearing on State Environmental Budget Priorities
EANY Presses for Sustainable Future Program, Clean Water Funding Changes, Responsible SEQRA Revisions, and More
Albany, New York – On Wednesday, Katherine Nadeau, Deputy Executive Director of Policy and Programs at Environmental Advocates NY (EANY), testified on behalf of EANY in the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal, and concurrently released EANY’s full written testimony.
After the testimony, Katherine Nadeau said:
“The Governor and Legislature are working to balance a budget while the federal government rolls back protections and pulls longstanding funding commitments out from under New York. In this context, budget choices matter deeply — not in the abstract, but in how we protect the water New Yorkers drink, the air we breathe, and the resilience of our communities.
“We need to show our unequivocal commitment to an affordable, safe, and resilient future by making responsible investments this year in environmental protection and renewable energy. The right investments will deliver results quickly, reduce energy bills, strengthen infrastructure, improve air quality, and create lasting benefits across the state.”
Among other things, in its testimony EANY called for:
- A new $1 billion commitment to the Sustainable Future Program, New York’s climate response and preparedness fund, whose first $1 billion will be invested in programs that will cut costs and invest in public health benefits through building and vehicle electrification and decarbonization, all while while generating $1.5 billion in total economic output, 7,400 new jobs, and $685 million in labor income.
- Increasing support for failing drinking water and sewer systems, including at least a $700 million commitment to Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) projects.
- Care and clarity around SEQRA. New York needs housing—especially affordable housing—yet we cannot trade speed for smart planning. As the legislature engages with the Governor’s proposal, we call for additional details to ensure that environmental protection is not sacrificed in pursuit of the worthy goal of encouraging the development of affordable housing.
EANY’s full written budget testimony is available here,
Environmental Advocates NY is New York’s leading environmental watchdog, working for over 50 years to advance strong environmental laws and hold decision-makers accountable. Learn more at eany.org.
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