Photo by Ryan Hiebendahl, Pexels

By the Bronxville Green Committee

Oct. 26, 2022: On Election Day on November 8 (or during early voting from October 29-November 6), New Yorkers will flip their ballots to the other side and vote “yes” or “no” for the “Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act.”

This $4.2 billion environmental bond act, the first of its kind since 1996, is seen by environmental and health organizations, and by elected state, county, and local officials, as vital to providing much needed long-term, dedicated funding of municipal projects that support the health and resilience of our natural environment.

Spending now is expected to reduce the likelihood of paying out far greater sums later to fix broken water mains, seeping sewage lines, and flooded homes and businesses. The Bond Act was originally on the ballot for fall 2020 and was delayed because of the financial crisis caused by the pandemic. 

If approved by voters, here’s how the Bond act will benefit New Yorkers. 

*Safeguard Drinking Water:  Projects would repair and upgrade aging wastewater treatment systems and plants; repair and upgrade stormwater drainage systems; address runoff from sources that create harmful algal blooms and other water pollution.

*Restore Shorelines and Reduce Flood Risk: Projects would reduce inland flooding, restore shorelines, and revitalize waterfronts; protect and restore wetlands; fund voluntary buyout projects; protect roads and buildings from flooding by moving, raising, or repairing them; update dams, bridges, and culverts; fund support for endangered and threatened species; fund green infrastructure to address stormwater runoff.

*Preserve Farms and Forests: Projects would preserve open land and farmland; develop and improve parks, nature centers, and other recreational facilities.

*Improve Public Health and Safety: Projects would expand clean energy infrastructure; fund green building retrofits on state-owned property, including universities and public schools; build green roofs; create community gardens; finance zero emission school buses with EV charging stations; address urban heat islands; build cooling centers to save lives during heatwaves.

*Advance Environmental Justice: In the belief that every New Yorker deserves access to clean air and water and to natural places, 35-40% of total funding must be directed to reducing pollution in communities that have been most harmed by the placement of polluting facilities in their neighborhoods.

*Strengthen New York’s Economy: The Bond Act is expected to create 100,000 well-paying local jobs.  The legislation includes provisions to ensure that jobs are filled by local workers, are paid at market rates, and that income remains in state.  For every dollar spent, seven are expected to be returned in economic revenue.  Business, labor, and government have come together to support the Bond Act.

Learn more about the Bond Act HERE.

If you prefer, this video also explains the Bond Act.

Find a list of the two hundred and fifty organizations and governments that support the Bond Act HERE.

Don’t forget that the “Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act” will appear on the flip side of your ballot.  Please be sure to cast your vote!

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community. Visit our website to learn more!