Proposed Bond Sale Totaling More than $572 Million Will Save an Estimated $22 Million for New York City Ratepayers by Refinancing Multiple Completed Projects
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $51 million in funding that includes low-cost financing and previously announced grants. The Board’s action authorizes municipal access to the capital necessary to move critical water and sewer infrastructure projects forward, including replacement of lead service connections, treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water and modernizing aging systems.
The Board also approved a $572,575,000 financing for the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority (NYCMWFA) that will refinance short-term financings for 11 NYCMWFA wastewater and drinking water projects and refund prior EFC bonds that funded NYCMWFA projects. It is estimated that the refunding will save New York City ratepayers approximately $22 million over the next 10 years.
«New York is committed to providing communities with the resources needed to upgrade water systems and improve water quality,» Governor Hochul said. «We are continuing our nation-leading clean water investments with $500 million for clean water infrastructure in this year’s budget helping to protect the health and safety of our residents, preserve our environment, and improve quality of life for all with access to safe, reliable and clean water.»
Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, «Today’s announcement on the refunding transaction highlights EFC’s proactive approach to maximizing resources for water infrastructure investments. The transaction will provide interest rate relief to one of our biggest borrowers. EFC thanks Governor Hochul for her commitment to clean water and for making $425 million available for EFC’s next round of grant funding. This round of grant funding is provided, in part, by the Environmental Bond Act approved by the voters in November 2022. We encourage communities with water infrastructure needs to apply by the July 28 due date and to reach out to our Community Assistance Teams if you need assistance.»
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, «Protecting New York’s water quality is among Governor Hochul’s top priorities. Under her leadership and with bolstered support in this year’s State Budget for water quality funding, New York remains committed to investments in projects to improve, repair, and replace critical water infrastructure across the state and to protecting communities from pollution that could be harmful to the public, the environment, and our economy.»
Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, «I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to assist New York communities with resources for monitoring and safeguarding their drinking water. The $51 million approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation will allow local governments to complete critical upgrades to their drinking water infrastructure, and further protect the health and safety of their residents.»
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, «New York continues to lead the nation in providing the much-needed funds to help make the state’s water infrastructure more affordable for local governments. The Environmental Facilities Corporation’s approval of $51 million will provide communities with access to resources to strengthen resiliency, combat climate change and offer the most advanced infrastructure to bring green jobs that will help create environmentally sound communities for generations to come.
Clean Water Project Funding Approved
- New York Municipal Water Finance Authority & New York City Department of Environmental Protection – $80,225,467 long-term leveraged financing related to the following projects:
- Wards Island Water Pollution Control Plant Final Settling Tank Reconstruction
- Bowery Bay Water Pollution Control Plant Power Distribution System Upgrades
- Tallman Island Water Pollution Control Plant Phase I Biological Nutrient Removal Upgrades
- Various Water Pollution Control Plants Phase II Biological Nutrient Removal Carbon Addition
- Rockaway WWTP Level 1 Biological Nutrient Removal Upgrades
- Inner Harbor Combined Sewer Overflow Gowanus Pump Station and Flushing Tunnel Reconstruction
- Coney Island Pollution Control Plant Replacement of Main Sewage Pumps
- North River Water Pollution Control Plant Cogeneration and Electrification Project
- Coney Island and North River Water Pollution Control Plants Total Chlorine Reduction
Drinking Water Project Funding Approved
Averill Park Central School District, Rensselaer County – $90,000 WIIA grant to install granular activated carbon vessels for PFAS treatment at the Algonquin Middle School.
- Bethpage Water District, Nassau County – $3 million WIIA grant to install an ion exchange system for the removal of nitrate and perchlorate, and installation of an Advanced Oxidation Process treatment for the removal of 1,4-dioxane.
- Hicksville Water District, Nassau County
- $8,927,400 WIIA grant to install an advanced oxidation process and granular activated carbon treatment systems at Plant No. 9 for the removal of 1,4-dioxane, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
- $5,651,400 WIIA grant Installation of advanced oxidation process and granular activated carbon treatment systems at Plant No. 5 for the removal of 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS.
- Development Authority of the North Country, Jefferson County – $12,485,771 short-term market-rate financing for the replacement of approximately 13,000 linear feet of existing transmission main and associated appurtenances.
- City of Kingston, Ulster County – $16,420,000 short-term market-rate financing and $3,000,000 WIIA grant for the rehabilitation of the Cooper Lake Dam and Reservoir and the construction of a new intake structure and associated piping.
- Village of Red Hook, Dutchess County – $720,000 short-term market-rate financing and $1,080,000 WIIA grant for the decommissioning of Well #4, replacement of approximately 2,400 linear feet of watermain, hydrants, and lead service connections on Graves and Cherry Streets, rehabilitation of the interior of the 225,000-gallon water tower at the end of Tower Street, addition of a booster pump to the interconnection between the Village and Town water systems, and replacement of the control system at the water treatment plant.
- New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and New York City Department of Environmental Protection
- $22,000,000 long-term leveraged financing for the design and construction of the Croton Water Filtration Plant and associated facilities
- $100,000,000 long-term leveraged financing for excavation and construction of Shafts 17B-1 and 18B-1, which are part of the City Tunnel No. 3, Stage 2 in Queens.
New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
New York continues to increase its investments in water infrastructure. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the FY 2024 Budget includes an additional $500 million in water infrastructure funding, bringing New York’s total water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, the Governor proposed the creation of Community Assistance Teams to provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. The initiative was recently launched and outreach meetings are underway. Any community that needs help with their water infrastructure needs is encouraged to contact EFC at efc.ny.gov/CAT.
Voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, advancing additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities. During Earth Week, Governor Hochul announced the first availability of Bond Act funding that, when combined with existing state funding sources, totals $425 million being made available in state water grant funding. Applications are due by July 28 and more information can be found at https://efc.ny.gov/wiia.