In announcing his New York State FY2021 Budget, Governor Cuomo led with the announcement of a $33 billion, 5-year plan to combat climate change, preserve New York’s environment and create climate resilient communities. Today we see the effects of climate change across the Catskills, across New York and around the world and we applaud Governor Cuomo for raising the bar and meeting this challenge with funding that will get necessary work done. The Governor’s proposal also includes:

• $3 billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act to combat the threat of climate change, strengthen the resilience of communities against storms, and providing New Yorkers with cleaner air and water and creating thousands of jobs.

• An additional $2.5 billion over five years for drinking water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, and water quality protection.

• $28 billion to develop, support and expand carbon-free energy production, build the infrastructure such as transmission lines and energy storage that makes renewable energy sources viable, and work to drive down carbon emissions.

In addition, Governor Cuomo’s budget calls for the permanent ban of fracking across New York State. We already know that fracking brings untold environmental degradation and pollution and that’s why it’s exciting to see the Governor’s leadership on this permanent ban that will protect the New York’s environment and the health of New Yorkers.

The Governor, in his earlier State of the State Address called for the creation of a task force to study high-use issues in the Catskill Park, an action we look forward to partnering with the NYSDEC and Catskill Park stakeholders on in order to maximum resource protection while ensuring public access to our Catskill Forest Preserve lands.

“Governor Cuomo’s leadership in combating climate change, improving New York’s environment, and permanently banning fracking will benefit all New Yorkers for generations to come” said Jeff Senterman, Catskill Center’s Executive Director. “We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo on these environmental efforts across the Catskills and across New York State.”