As part of the state’s proposed $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act (officially known as the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act), voters can approve on November 8 (or before, with early voting starting October 29) an allocation of $1.5 billion for climate change mitigation projects. Eligible projects include creating green and energy-efficient buildings, performing carbon sequestration and emissions mitigation, enhancing urban forestry, and reducing air and water pollution.
Specifically, the Bond Act would allocate:
- Not less than $400 million for green building projects on state-owned properties, including SUNY, CUNY, community colleges and public schools;
- Not less than $100 million for climate adaptation and mitigation projects;
- Not less than $500 million to purchase zero-emission school buses and the supporting infrastructure needed;
- Not less than $200 million for air and water pollution elimination in underserved communities; and
- Up to $300 million for a variety of mitigation projects, including urban heat reduction with green or reflective roofs, open space, community gardens, cool pavement and community cooling centers; urban forestry projects, including tree planting; reducing carbon and methane pollution in agriculture; and additional funds for reducing air and water pollution in underserved communities.
The Bond Act’s climate change mitigation plan builds on the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act with four important goals:
- Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 85% of 1990 levels by 2050;
- Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across New York State’s economy;
- Using 70% renewable electricity by 2030; and
- Using 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040
Buildings are a top polluter in New York State. The Bond Act will fund programs to improve energy efficiency and decrease harmful emissions in state buildings, SUNY and CUNY campuses, and public schools through energy audits, energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits, and investments in on-site renewable energy and green infrastructure.
As part of New York’s overarching efforts to conserve and create green spaces, the Bond Act also will support a number of urban and community forestry efforts. Urban forestry is the maintenance of community forests that establish healthy trees for air and water quality benefits, energy savings, environmental health, and enhanced quality of life for urban residents. Importantly, urban forests help combat the heat island effect, a term that describes the hotter air and structure temperatures in an urban setting compared to lower temperatures found in more rural areas. Alongside urban forestry, the Bond Act would also fund projects like green roofs and special paving and roofing materials that deflect heat to reduce the urban heat island effect.