Environmental Priorities Round Out NYS Budget

ALBANY, N.Y. – Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature today unveiled a series of critical environmental priorities as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 New York State Budget – including a much-needed boost to developing renewable energy projects, a ban on polystyrene foam containers, and the passage of a nation-leading environmental bond act.

A statement follows from Rich Schrader, New York Policy Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“This budget reflects tremendous leadership and resolve even in the face of so much uncertainty. It tackles the years-long bottleneck of wind and solar projects, delivering a major boost to New York’s clean energy economy and its vast job creating potential. 

“It safeguards the things we cherish most, like the air we breathe and water we drink by memorializing New York’s fracking ban in state law – and at the same time, offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create stronger, healthier and more vibrant communities through a nation-leading environmental bond act.

“While the days ahead will no doubt present more unpredictable challenges, one thing is certain – the fight to protect our children’s future never stops, and this budget helps uphold that most sacred responsibility.”

For more, read: Environment Tops List of NY Budget Negotiations

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at NRDC.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​