Referred to: The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Hansut, Erner, Maloney, and Stewart)

Legislator Phil Erner and Legislators Stewart,X,X and X offer the following:

WHEREAS, providing clean drinking water and protecting our local rivers, bays, lakes, streams and waterfronts from pollution is paramount to quality of life in New York State and Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, modernizing water infrastructure will safeguard clean water, reduce flooding, reduce lead exposure and other public health threats, and create jobs; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County is vulnerable to extreme weather including deadly heat from rising temperatures and flooding from severe storms that put people, properties and public assets across the County at risk; and

WHEREAS, upgrading transportation and stormwater infrastructure, restoring natural resources, growing urban forests, building green roofs and upgrading cooling centers will reduce the impact of extreme weather, saving lives and money; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of outdoor recreation and access to fresh, local food, as people flocked to local parks and sought out healthy foods for their families; and

WHEREAS, upgrades to facilities at state and local parks and preserves and the creation of new outdoor recreational areas will benefit our region by protecting wildlife habitat, providing more people access to nature, and creating jobs in the outdoor recreation economy; and

WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 would authorize the four billion and two hundred million dollars of bonds to finance critical environmental restoration, clean water, and infrastructure projects across New York State; and

WHEREAS, the funds would be targeted towards protecting clean water, reducing flood risk, restoring natural resources, protecting open space and farmland, and reducing the pollution that causes climate change; and

WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 was passed by the New York State Legislature as part of the 2022-23 New York State Budget and will appear on the November 8, 2022, New York State General Election Ballot for voter approval; and

WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 includes strong labor provisions and will support more than 84,000 family-sustaining jobs for New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 would enable New York State and Ulster County to address pollution and public health threats in disadvantaged communities by directing at least 35% with a goal of 40% of the measure’s funding to address hazardous conditions in such   communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature hereby supports passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature shall forward copies of this resolution to New York Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senate and Assembly Agriculture Chairs Hinchey and Lupardo, and all Ulster County elected Assemblymembers and Senators, and members of the US Senate and House of Representatives,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:            

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ___________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE