Talk: Offshore Wind Works for Clean Energy and Green Jobs

We hope you can make it to the Thursday, 9/5/19 Sierra Club Writers Group to learn about a crisis situation where your help is needed.

Thanks to the efforts of a grass roots coalition of clean energy, labor and social justice activists, New York's recently enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act mandates 100% carbon free electricity generation by 2040.  This puts us in line to blunt some of the worst impacts of the climate crisis. 

We will not meet this climate goal without thoroughly exploring New York’s windiest locations and the areas most accessible for solar development.

There is a move afoot by a couple County Legislators, supported by Rep. Chris Collins, to put Erie County on record opposed to wind energy along the shores of Lake Erie - one of the windiest areas in New York State.

If the County of New York's 2nd largest city starts premptively shutting down renewables it will be impossible for NYers to do our part in the fighting the climate emergency.

-- Bill Nowak, Sierra Club Writers Group

Ban Use of Styrofoam Food Packaging - Take Action!

On March 26, the Buffalo Common Council allowed for a 30 day comment period on potential legislation to ban the use of Expanded Polystyrene Food Packaging, more commonly known by the trademark name Styrofoam. The base legislation would ban the use of foam food service cups, plates, bowls, and clamshell containers. 

These products are neither recyclable nor bio-degradable. Their continued use and disposal has fouled our environment and harmed fish and wildlife.

This type of legislation has been passed around the country, with a momentum boost given by the enactment of a ban in New York City effective 1/1/19.  The City of Buffalo was nearly the first major city in the country to ban Styrofoam in 1990, but backed out when the county refused to join in on the ban. That is not the issue this time, as the City has not tied this into a wider, regional ban. However, the leadership in Erie County today would be more amenable to joining in on a ban.

TAKE ACTION to Help Ban Styrofoam Food Packaging

Mail or email Councilman Pridgen’s office (and your District Councilman’s office if you live in Buffalo) by April 25th voicing your support for a ban on Styrofoam (See a sample letter - Click here). 

Contact information:
Darius G. Pridgen, Council President & Ellicott District,
65 Niagara Sq., Rm 1315, Buffalo, NY 14202

Email: dpridgen@city-buffalo.com
Call: (716) 851 – 4980

Thank you for your help!

This effort was started as part of a campaign Bring NYC’s Styrofoam Ban to My Hometown! through the Sierra Club Niagara Group.

John Szalasny
Sierra Club Niagara Group Executive Committee
Email: sierraniagara.john@gmail.com

NOT recyclable or bio-degradable - Fouling Our Environment

Ban Polystyrene Products that are Fouling Our Environment

 

 ~        ~       ~

Bring NYC’s plastic foam packaging ban to Buffalo

By John S. Szalasny | 2.20.2019 | Another Voice - The Buffalo News

Food for thought as you sip your takeout coffee or bring your leftovers home from the restaurant in the clamshell takeout container. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), the foundation of these containers, was invented in 1939.

All of the foam ever made for these conveniences, 80 years worth, still exists either in landfills or as trash sitting on roadsides, fields or waterways. We are at risk of being buried in the volume of this lightweight material.

On Jan. 1, New York City joined a growing list of cities that have instituted a ban on EPS foam takeout cups and containers.

The city determined that EPS foam could not be recycled and that aligns with the guidelines of our major local waste handlers, Modern Disposal and Waste Management. Neither provide municipal recycling home collection of EPS containers or packing materials even though the plastic makes up about 30 percent by volume of the waste that ends up in a landfill.

The issues with waste management are bad enough. However, EPS foam is the only packaging used in food handling that is made of known carcinogens. When heated, styrenes and benzene leach into food and drinks. Toxic exposure can be airborne or by touch. Symptoms of exposure include chronic fatigue and a decreased ability to concentrate. In addition, chemicals from EPS foam can cause liver, kidney or circulatory system problems.

Environmentally, EPS foam is a nightmare. An estimated 25 billion EPS coffee cups were thrown out last year in the United States. These cups (as well as the takeout containers) are made from fossil fuels and never biodegrade. In landfills, bulldozers moving the trash pile break down EPS into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces are very attractive to wildlife as a possible food source. Birds and fish starve to death with stomachs filled with plastics.

Public Comments: Climate Action Sustainability Plan for Internal County Operations

Erie County is pleased to release the draft Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) for internal county operations.

Click here to download the Plan for review.


Comments can be entered here.

The CASP was a collaborative effort involving all County departments through the County’s Green Team initiative and outlines a plan to move County government operations toward a sustainable future.

Development of the CASP was funded through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”). NYSERDA has not yet reviewed the information contained herein, and the opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of NYSERDA or the State of New York.

The public comment period will be open through Monday, January 1, 2019.

Presentation: LOCAL CLIMATE GOALS - What are they? How can we meet them?

The Sierra Club

Climate & Clean Energy Writers Group

Thursday, February 15, 2018

LOCAL CLIMATE GOALS

What are they? How can we meet them?

County Executive Mark Poloncarz recently released the report Erie County Commits to Paris - How Erie County Can Meet U.S. Target Reductions for Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Come get the facts on what the local sources are for greenhouse gases (GHG). Learn about the County's plans to reduce GHG emissions both in-house and in the community.

6:00-7:30 PM

Crane Branch Library

633 Elmwood at Highland

2nd Floor Meeting Room

Free & Open to the Public - Writers and Non-Writers alike

BillNowa@gmail.com for information

Presentation: Renewable Energy Initiatives in Erie County

PUBLIC MEETING: State and County Funding for Local Transit

~ CITIZENS FOR REGIONAL TRANSIT QUARTERLY MEETING ~

STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING FOR TRANSIT:

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday, April 15, 5:30–6:30pm  ~  Doors open at 5:00pm
United Way, 742 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo

Free and Open to All

  
Panel Speakers:

• State Assemblyman Sean Ryan
• Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke
• Lynda Stephens, Subsidy Action Committee, Coalition for Economic Justice

President Doug Funke will moderate a panel discussion on the need for increased state and local funding for the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority and its impact in sustaining and growing Western New York’s economic renaissance. This discussion will consist of brief talks on the need to increase transit funding from New York State and Erie County and the role of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency’s tax exemptions, followed by a question and answer component. The impetus for this needed increase is to address a $10 million shortfall in the NFTA’s current budget. 

Assemblyman Ryan has been leading the recent charge in Albany to address this need. His plan recognizes the positive economic impact of encouraging increased ridership on public transportation as a caveat of additional funding for the system.

Erie County currently provides minimal portions of tax revenues to the NFTA. The Erie County IDA exempts some of these taxes in its incentives to developers and businesses, further limiting the funds available to transit from Erie County.

The Western New York region has recently seen cutbacks in transit services and is now threatened with further cutbacks of critical routes if budget solutions are not found. These transit services facilitate the upward mobility of urban residents who otherwise lack access to well-paying jobs and are needed by area businesses.

Not investing in Western New York’s public transportation is sure to impede future growth and lead to ever worsening traffic congestion on already over-used public thoroughfares such as the Youngman, Kensington and Interstate 90.  Concern about Buffalo’s sustained commercial and labor market growth is everybody’s business, come join us and learn more on April 15th.

Community Meeting: Stop the 'Bomb' Trains

Western NY Drilling Defense Community Meeting:

Stop the 'Bomb' Trains!

Crane Branch Library - upstairs - 633 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo  

Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 6 p.m.

RSVP on Facebook & Invite Friends: click here.

[Click image to enlarge]

Every week trains loaded with volatile crude oil fracked in North Dakota's Bakken shale travel through New York communities at 30 to 40 miles an hour. The DOT-111 tankers used to haul oil are defective and prone to explode in derailments. Bakken oil trains from North Dakota are traveling across New York State and through the City of Buffalo.

With very little public awareness and no study of environmental impacts, the oil industry has made New York a dangerous pipeline for crude oil that snakes thousands of miles by rail, barge and ship from oil fields in North Dakota and elsewhere, to refineries on both coasts. Because they present an immediate danger to public health, we must work to halt the transport of oil trains. Join us in stopping the 'bomb' trains!

We will also be discussing next steps in the anti-fracking campaign in New York, including increased focus on renewable energy. These meetings are open to all!

Protect a Lake Erie Nature Preserve and Public Park from Private Development

Please Sign a Petition to Protect an Existing Nature Preserve and a Public Park on the Lake Erie Shore

Extensive private development (grey buildings, above) has been proposed along Times Beach Nature Preserve (left), an important resting area for migrating birds, and in Wilkeson Pointe (right), the popular wind-sculpture park built with Public Funding last year.

Times Beach Nature Preserve and Wilkeson Pointe are part of the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the Lake Erie shore, as shown below [click image to enlarge].

Developers' Building Plan

This waterfront property represents a significant aspect of our national heritage and it should be protected for public access as well as for historical, environmental, and educational purposes. Proposals to this effect have been put forward by several citizen groups, but current developer proposals still appear to be fast-tracked for approval.

Please support efforts to save this valuable property for our prosperity.

To Read and Sign the Petition, Click Here

Please help to spread the word by sharing the petition link below with others: 

http://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-buffalo-outer-harbor

Thank You for your Support! 

UPDATE: The Buffalo News, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 - Nature Watch: Outer harbor land should be dedicated to public access, By Gerry Rising

 

[Click image to enlarge]

 

RALLY: Save Times Beach Nature Preserve - Saturday, 12:30pm

The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve have an urgent Rally scheduled for this Saturday, 12:30pm, at Times Beach Nature Preserve [Map].
  
The WNY Environmental Alliance (WNYEA) has adopted a set of principles focused on Outer Harbor development that can be found at the GrowWNY Website: Click "Covering the Outer Harbor".

The Final Plan for the Outer Harbor will probably be released early next week without further public comment. We have been informed that the final plan will be as presented at the ECHDC (Erie County Harbor Development Corporation) open house two weeks ago. It shows the development of a new "neighborhood" surrounding Times Beach Nature Preserve, including Wilkeson Pointe, the popular wind-sculpture Park built with Public Funding last year. 

The Final Plan will turn the Nature Preserve into 

a Condominium compound. 

Final Plan [Click image to enlarge]

We want a Nature Preserve, NOT a Condo compound.   We want Public Parks, NOT Private Residences.
We need your help and support to demonstrate public opposition and support of the WNYEA principles. Please consider attending the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve's Rally on this Saturday at Times Beach starting at 12:30 [Map]. 

Bring signs, your voices, and come to learn about, talk about, and participate in what options we have left.
 
For more information and links, Click Here.
 
To see a Photo Album of last weeks wonderful Times Beach Nature Preserve Dedication Ceremony, Click Here.

Please share this with friends and ask them to Bring Signs!

Questions: Email Jay Burney at lscampaign@aol.com

Thank you to GrowWNY, WNYEA and all Supporters.

 
Visit:  Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve

Poloncarz Approves Fracking Ban in Erie County

The law bans fracking on all land owned by Erie County

Report from WGRZ.com 

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz approved legislation Friday to ban hydraulic fracturing on all lands owned by Erie County. 

"Protecting our land and water resources is important to preserving our heritage," said Poloncarz in a statement on his decision to approve the local law. 

The Erie County Legislature passed the fracking ban in December by a 9-2 vote. The ban also received overwhelming support in public hearings leading up to the vote. 

A moratorium on fracking has been in effect throughout New York State since 2008 but Governor Andrew Cuomo has not yet announced if he will ban the practice altogether. 

If Cuomo decides to lift the moratorium, fracking would only be allowed on all privately owned land and non-county owned sewage treatment facilities in Erie County.

Poloncarz approves fracking ban on county-owned land

Report from WBFO:

One local anti-fracking group says it is pleased with the county executive's approval.

“We’re relieved that County Executive Poloncarz paid attention to the thousands of Erie County residents who spoke up in favor of a ban and the bipartisan group of Erie County legislators who voted in favor of it. The evidence is clear – fracking and its waste brings unacceptable risks of water contamination and health impacts. Erie County and the other counties statewide that have voted for a ban are sending a clear message to Governor Cuomo – that all parts of New York want him to ban fracking," said Rita Yelda of Food & Water Watch and Western NY Drilling Defense.


See also: Poloncarz Approves Fracking Law

Poloncarz stated “I am approving Local Law Intro. No. 4-2013 based on the demonstrated support of the public, as well as the support shown by a majority of Erie County legislators who expressed their concern about hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and disposal of fracking waste in Erie County. 

He added that the law "bans it on County-owned lands such as Parks, in addition to prohibiting the acceptance of fracking waste at Erie County-owned sewage treatment facilities."

He concluded that "...the overwhelming and vocal public support for such a ban cannot be ignored."

Link to the full statement at the Erie County website.

Fracking Waste: Dangerous Spills and Road Spreading

Exxon to Face Criminal Charges for 50,000+ Gallon Fracking Wastewater Spill

Exxon Mobil Corp. subsidiary XTO Energy will have to face criminal charges for allegedly dumping tens of thousands of gallons of fracking waste at a Marcellus Shale drilling site in 2010, according to a Pennsylvania judge’s ruling on Thursday.

Following a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge James G. Carn decided that all eight charges against Exxon — including violations of both the state Clean Streams Law and the Solid Waste Management Act — will be “held for court,” meaning there is enough evidence to take the fossil fuel giant to trial over felony offenses.

Pennsylvania’s Attorney General filed criminal charges back in September, claiming Exxon had removed a plug from a wastewater tank, leading to 57,000 gallons of contaminated water spilling into the soil. 

Thanks to laws pushed by corporate front groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), sponsored by ExxonMobil, states have allowed minimum disclosure of the chemicals used in the fluid. Though Pennsylvania does now require disclosure to regulators, it has a “gag rule” banning doctors from talking about the health risks.

The most recent study of health risks related to fracking was released in mid-December by the journal Endocrinology, which found the presence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in surface water and groundwater samples in Garfield County, Colorado — one county at the center of the U.S. fracking boom. The chemicals have been linked to infertility, birth defects, and cancer.
Read more at ThinkProgress.

New York’s Fracking Waste Problem | UPDATE

Even though the de facto moratorium on high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing in New York State continues, the disposal of waste from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations is occurring in New York now and deserves our attention. The extraction of natural gas using fracking produces large amounts of liquid and solid waste that can contain a number of harmful pollutants, including salts (sometimes expressed as total dissolved solids or TDS); chemical additives, which may include ethylene glycol, naphthalene, and sulfuric acid; metals; organic compounds; and other contaminants. Fracking waste from extraction activities in the Marcellus Shale can also contain naturally-occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) such as radium-226 and radium-228.

In July 2013, [Hudson] Riverkeeper wrote to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and requested information about one method of handling fracking waste that New York is currently allowing: the use of production brine from conventional, low-volume fracking on New York roads for de-icing, dust control, and road stabilization. Specifically, we asked the agency to provide information regarding its approvals – known as Beneficial Use Determinations or BUDs – of the use of natural gas production brine for road spreading from June 2011 to July 2013.

UPDATE: Further review shows that road spreading of natural gas production brine has been approved for use in portions of at least 23 municipalities in 7 western New York counties: Wyoming, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genessee, Niagara, and Seneca. Road spreading of natural gas brine from natural gas storage has been approved in at least 10 municipalities in 2 western New York Counties: Allegany and Steuben. In addition, the New York State Department of Transportation Region 6 received approval to spread what appears to be brine from natural gas storage on state roads in portions of Steuben, Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, and Yates Counties.

Read more at Hudson Riverkeeper.

For additional details, see The Facts about New York and Fracking Waste at Hudson Riverkeeper.

Public Statement on Fracking Waste -- By Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

High standards of excellence are needed to protect Buffalo Niagara's local waterways. Careful consideration must be employed in how we use and apply various chemicals in our community.

In January 2012, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper prepared a 9 page technical document regarding High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (HVHF), which concluded that "HVHF activities cannot be conducted in a manner that is protective of both human health and the environment until issues related to water quality and water quantity impacts are resolved."

In response to our recent technical review of the Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) by NYSDEC, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper supports a ban on the road application of shallow well or storage brine as a de-icing agent.  (The permit does not allow application in wet weather, or when rain is imminent, or within 50 feet of any stream, creek, lake or other body of water. The BUD permit as written does not allow use of "flow back" brine, nor the use of byproduct from Marcellus Shale HVHF.)

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper has additional concern about lack of control and monitoring associated with current use of shallow-well brine for road application as dust suppression. The testing conducted to submit a BUD application is a snapshot in time that does not adequately monitor the inherent fluctuation of levels of chemical constituents that vary over the production life of each well or brine source.  More robust testing, monitoring and regulation is needed.

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper supports a ban on any WNY wastewater facility to accept HVHF wastewater.  Riverkeeper's technical comments in 2012 stated, "In New York State, there are no municipal or industrial wastewater facilities in existence that currently have the ability to accept, adequately process or treat high volume hydrofracking wastewater."

To view Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper's technical documents regarding high volume hydrofracking, Click Here.

~ Fracking Wastewater Pit ~

Erie County, Partners Advance Preparations on Watershed Management Plan

ERIE COUNTY, NY- The Erie County Department of Environment & Planning (DEP), in partnership with the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance (LEWPA) and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, has announced plans to begin Phase II of the Regional Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed Management Plan following their successful application for New York State Consolidated Funding, which resulted in an award of $507,830 from the NYS Department of State to pursue the Plan. This project builds on three years of effort by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper for Phase I of a Niagara River Watershed Management Plan and is a continuation of a community-based watershed planning effort to improve and protect all of Western New York's water resources.

“As I stated in my ‘Initiatives for a Smart Economy’ address [link below], the protection and restoration of the health and integrity of Western New York’s fresh water systems is not only sound environmental policy but also represents a smart investment in our economic future,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

“Clean, healthy and accessible waterways are essential to the environmental health and continuing economic recovery of Western New York. I commend the DEP and their partners for the good work they are doing and for the positive legacy that will remain when they have completed the Plan.”

Phase II efforts will integrate the remaining sub-watersheds within the Lake Erie Watershed to develop a comprehensive, regionally-based Watershed Management Plan for Western New York. This phase will also address numerous ongoing and emerging water quality issues in order to help attract and support a multitude of recreation, tourism, and commercial businesses.

“We are a Great Lakes region, with two major coastal cities and a numerous waterfront communities that share access to 95% of North America’s fresh water”, said Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper.  “It is evident that our regional economic revitalization directly correlates to how we embrace, protect and enhance the quality of our water, and this planning effort helps us maximize these resources without sacrificing our quality of life and environment”.

Lake Erie and the Niagara River are both valued as natural resources, economic engines, sources of power, and for aesthetic and recreational purposes. However, the impairments of the Lake Erie-Niagara River Basin create real costs for WNY, severely undermining both their quality-of-life and their full economic development potential. When complete, the Watershed Management Plan will provide a blueprint for municipalities to maximize the economic benefits of the watershed while minimizing environmental impacts on it.

The mission of the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance is to foster collaboration and partnerships within the watershed to address regional water quality and quantity concerns and in doing so, protect and enhance our Lake Erie resource.

For more information:

• On the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit www.erie.gov/environment 

• On the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance, visit www.erie.gov/LEWPA

• On Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, visit www.bnriverkeeper.org 

• Erie County ‘Initiatives for a Smart Economy’ [PDF - 5,207 KB]

Erie County Bans Fracking and Its Waste

The Buffalo News - 12.14.2013 -

We did it! After a year of tireless organizing, we've passed a fracking ban on Erie County-owned lands — and we've banned toxic fracking wastewater from entering our county.  

This was a landslide victory, with 9 out of the 11 legislators voting in support of the ban.

Without all of your hard work, this never could have happened. Here's what you and other Erie County residents have done in the past year to protect your water:

• Collected 3,845 petition signatures
• Spoke at a County Energy & Environment Committee meeting
• Visited with several of our elected officials
• Educated your friends and neighbors about fracking
• Flooded the legislature with phone calls for an entire week this summer
• Testified for a ban on fracking at last week's public hearing
• Packed the room with anti-fracking signs at Thursday's vote

I'd also like to thank our bill sponsor, County Legislature Chair Betty Jean Grant, who stood on the side of the people and protected our air, land and water by introducing this bill. Will you join us in sending a thank you card to Legislator Grant and the other eight legislators who voted to pass this historic bill?


Our fight to protect New Yorkers from fracking is not yet over, but our victory in Erie County moves us one step closer.

Thank you for making this happen!   


Rita Yelda
Western NY Organizer,
Food & Water Watch,
ryelda(at)fwwatch(dot)org

Public Meeting: Poloncarz to present Erie County Economic Development Plan

Mark C. Poloncarz, Erie County Executive, will present his Erie County Economic Development Plan at a Public meeting sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY 14226, from 5:30 – 7:00pm. [Map]

Poloncarz will detail his initiatives and provide a realistic blueprint of specific actions to enhance the quality of life in the county by leveraging assets and forming meaningful partnerships.

Key features:
• Action in support of regional land use planning: enhancing urban neighborhoods; containing urban sprawl; Protection of agricultural land and water quality.
• Support of strategic planning and management on a regional basis for the region-serving infrastructure, such as sewers, water, highways, etc.
• Action consistent with criteria for support of intergovernmental relationships
• Support of regional management: promotion, marketing and economic development of the region.
• Support of plans for Erie County waterfronts: protection and enhancement of the natural environment at the water's edge.
• Developing programs designed to address problems created by global warming and climate change.

Please join us for this informative and timely discussion.
The program is free and open to the public.
RSVP is not required. For more information, call the League office – 884-3550.

~ ~ ~

To obtain a copy of INITIATIVES FOR A SMART ECONOMY prepared under the direction of Mark C. Poloncarz, Erie County Executive, Click Here.

Call for Erie County Ban on Fracking and Radioactive Waste

To read the Text version of this post, Click Here.

[Click image to enlarge]

Erie County Community Forum - June 3 at 6pm

COMMUNITY FORUM: Regional Vision and Values - Where Do We Want to Go?

Please join us and our partners as we launch One Region Forward, a new effort seeking to coordinate our region’s efforts towards creating a more sustainable economy, environment and community.
The creative contribution and informed support of the citizens of the Buffalo Niagara region is critical and we need to hear your voices as we chart this course.                                                                                                         

To learn how you can get involved and share your thoughts on the vision and values that should guide this effort, please join us at one of our two “Community Congress” meetings scheduled over the next few weeks.

If you are interested, please sign up to participate for one of the two events listed below:
*January 29^th, 7-9pm, Asbury Church
http://www.oneregionforward.org/event/community-congress-1-erie-county/
*February 2^nd, 2-4pm, Niagara Falls Conference Center
http://www.oneregionforward.org/event/community-congress-2-niagara-county/

To learn more about the project, check out our website at www.oneregionforward.org.

Stimulus money flows to clean NY water

Last March, the NY State Environmental Facilities Corporation solicited projects to identify green infrastructure opportunities in need of funds. The selected projects were then submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final approval. New York received $432 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $86 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Western New York recieved $9.8 million for innovative water quality projects through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funds were awarded to 10 different projects through a new State initiative known as the Green Innovation Grant Program, which promotes sustainable, environmentally sensitive water infrastructure and technologies.

Monroe County, Jamestown, and Medina received the largest grants:

• $3.2 million to Monroe County for the construction of a highly visible and educational green roof on part of the plaza level of the Monroe County Civic Center.
• $2.55 million to the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Chautauqua County, for the upgrade of existing digesters at the wastewater treatment facility, restoring the bio-solids process to allow the facility to effectively use the methane gas from the sludge digesters for power generation.
• $1.7 million to the Village of Medina, Orleans County, for the installation of green infrastructure at the wastewater treatment facility to achieve greater energy efficiency, while creating renewable energy and managing stormwater. Green improvements include rainwater harvesting, a green roof, solar units, and energy-efficient lighting.
  

The report on the funding announcement from Gov. Paterson is here.

On August 31, the Governor announced $15.4 million in federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for three projects in Western NY:

• The Town of Caneadea in Allegany County will receive $8.3 million to support the planning, design and construction of a project to address various drinking water quality issues. Treatment will be constructed for the existing source. A new well source will also be provided to conform to current standards for supply capacity. The project also includes a new transmission main, replacement of aged water mains and the provision of public water to areas presently served by poor quality private wells.
• The Town of Erwin in Steuben County will receive $6.3 million to support the planning, design and construction of a drinking water supply interconnection with the Town of Erwin Morningside Heights Water District as a primary source of water. Funding will support the installation of a new storage tank, distribution system, a secondary/emergency interconnection to the existing Village of Painted Post water system, and the provision of public water to areas presently served by private wells of insufficient quality and/or quantity.
• Chaffee Water Works Company, Inc. in Erie County will receive $800,000 to support the planning, design and construction of the project, which will address drinking water quality issues and includes improvements to the existing well source, the addition of a new backup source, replacement of an existing storage tank, upgrades to the hydro-pneumatic system, automated treatment controls, tank level alarms, and the replacement of the aged inadequate distribution system.
  

The report on the funding announcement from Gov. Paterson is here.