Statement from Sen. Krueger On EANY’s Brownfield Cleanup Program Analysis

New York -- Senator Liz Krueger issued the following statement today upon the release of an analysis by Environmental Advocates of New York of the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, titled Ripe for Reform.  The analysis reveals that the current program pays out the vast majority of funds as “redevelopment” credits, rather than for environmental cleanup, and that some of the state’s neediest communities receive little or no benefits:

“Our state simply cannot afford to engage in these extreme levels of corporate welfare when some of our hardest-hit communities are in desperate need of environmental cleanup and economic development.
 
“Some of the most unjustifiable credits were paid out on my own island of Manhattan – $187 million in costs to the State since 2010, for just six projects. And unlike many desperate areas throughout NYC and the State, nearly every inch of Manhattan Island is coveted for high yield development, regardless of the need to mitigate brownfields.
 
“I support the Governor’s proposed reforms to the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and I look forward to working with him, as well as advocates and my colleagues in both parties to ensure that reforms are passed.  As I’ve said before, brownfield reform is a win-win for our economy and our environment, and the reforms proposed by the Governor and supported by today’s report from Environmental Advocates of New York will lead to a stronger, more efficient, and more equitable program."

The full report from EANY can be found here.