Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) announced the state Legislature had passed (A10519-Sweeney/S.7525-Grisanti) to drive funding to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is New York’s primary source of funding for key environmental programs.
“This is terrific news for New York’s environment. It means substantial increases in EPF programs such as municipal parks, waterfront revitalization, open space land acquisition, and water quality improvement,” said Sweeney, Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation.
The bill would reallocate unredeemed bottle deposits that now go to the state for general purposes to the EPF. The increase would be phased in over the years as follows:
- $10 million in 2013-2014
- $20 million in 2014-2015
- $30 million in 2015-2016
- $40 million in 2016-2017
- $50 million in 2017-2018
- $56 million in 2018-2019
Sweeney said, “From human health to the economy, every aspect of our life is affected by the quality of our environment. The Environmental Protection Fund provides important opportunities for economic growth throughout New York. It has been estimated that EPF-supported industries generate $40 billion for the state’s economy every year. Additionally, the value of clean water, clean air, and open space are incalculable.”
“This increase in funding is accomplished without raising a single tax or fee,” Sweeney concluded.
The bill which was sponsored in the Senate by Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo) needs only Governor Cuomo’s signature to become law.