Trump’s initiation of unprovoked war on Iran at the same time his FBI chief Kash Patel has purged the FBI of counter-terrorism experts and anyone who was connected with the investigations into the January 6 insurrection, Trump’s attempted overturning of the 2020 election, the deportation of undocumented migrants (instead of the Iranian terror cells Trump has acknowledged exist), and focus on Trump’s campaign of retribution against political enemies has left the United States exposed.
In just a matter of days, there were at least three terror attacks – the bomb at NYC’s Gracie Mansion, the attack on a Michigan synagogue and another attack that killed at soldier and wounded two others at Old Dominium University in Virginia by a man who had already been convicted, imprisoned and released for his ISIS activity, instead of being monitored (the government was too busy deporting landscapers, healthworkers and construction workers).
When asked about the possibility of Iran, which has specialized in terrorism, unleashing attacks, Trump casually responded, “I guess,” adding “people die in war.” The Trump administration dismantled the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), cut staff at CISA, and fired top NSA/Cyber Command leadership.
And this being Trump administration which only cares about politics and not public service, the administration blocked the release of a five-page statement,“A Public Safety Awareness Report: Elevated threat in the United States during US-Iran conflict,” which detailed “elevated threats by the government of Iran to US military and government personnel and facilities, Jewish and Israeli institutions and their perceived supporters, and Iranian dissidents and other anti-regime activists in the United States.”The reportshould have been distributed to states and localities.
So it is up to the states and localities to step up. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has heightened its security and intelligence activities. –Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com
Governor Kathy Hochul announced nation-leading cybersecurity regulations and $2.5 million in grants to help communities affordably protect their drinking water and wastewater systems. This comprehensive, unified approach equips drinking water and wastewater operators with the framework and tools to bolster their cybersecurity posture against increasingly sophisticated and dangerous cyber threats while strengthening services that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day.
“Cyber attacks on our water infrastructure can disrupt services and threaten public health and safety,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is protecting New Yorkers by modernizing regulations and providing resources to adopt these important safeguards. There is nothing more important than keeping New Yorkers safe.”
Water infrastructure is essential to public health, safety, economic stability and national security, making it an attractive target for cyber attacks. As systems increasingly rely on digital and internet-connected technologies, the need for cybersecurity safeguards continues to grow.
Delivering on the Governor’s State of the State commitment to strengthen the resilience and reliability of water and wastewater systems, the Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) developed minimum standards for wastewater and drinking water systems that are threat-informed, risk-centric, and cost-balanced. At the same time, the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) created grants and no-cost technical assistance to support local implementation. Close coordination helped streamline oversight, eliminate duplication and align with federal cybersecurity guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The new threat-informed, risk-centric, and cost-balanced minimum standards developed by DEC and DOH include:
Mandatory cybersecurity training for certified operators
Cybersecurity incident reporting requirements
Risk-based tiered standards to protect critical operations and sensitive information
Designation of a cybersecurity lead role at larger drinking water systems
To support implementation, Governor Hochul is launching the new $2.5 million Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements (SECURE) grant program, administered by EFC. Applications open today. Funding includes:
Up to $50,000 for cybersecurity assessments
Up to $100,000 to implement cybersecurity upgrades
EFC’s Community Assistance Teams are available to provide no-cost guidance and tools to help water and wastewater systems implement cybersecurity best practices. Communities can request one-on-one consultations, apply for the SECURE grant, and access centralized training and best practice resources on EFC’s Cybersecurity Hub.
New York State Director of Security and Intelligence Colin Ahern said, “In today’s threat environment, the security of our digital infrastructure is just as critical as the physical security of our reservoirs. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are moving beyond reactive defense. By pairing nation-leading standards with the SECURE grant program, we are providing New York’s water sectors with the intelligence-driven framework and the muscle they need to preemptively harden our most vital systems against sophisticated global adversaries.”
New York State Acting Chief Cyber Officer Michaela Lee said, “Effective cybersecurity is not a one-time fix; it is a sustained partnership between the State and our local operators. Following the successful implementation of new standards for our financial and healthcare sectors, Governor Hochul is continuing her steady, sector-by-sector plan to fortify New York’s most critical infrastructure. By providing both the regulatory roadmap and the $2.5 million SECURE grant, we are ensuring that water and wastewater utilities have the guidance and resources they need to remain resilient in an increasingly digital world.”
“Governor Hochul’s nation-leading cybersecurity regulations reflect a steadfast commitment to protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers,” New York State Department of Health State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “As drinking water infrastructure controls become increasingly digitized, safeguarding these systems is essential. These regulations strengthen our defenses, enhance monitoring and ensure public drinking water systems are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to potential incidents. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with state and local partners to protect drinking water in New York State.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said,“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is pairing strong cybersecurity protections with meaningful support for local governments. EFC’s SECURE grant program and hands-on technical assistance will help communities implement these safeguards while keeping projects manageable and affordable.”
“Governor Hochul’s leadership is proactively enhancing cybersecurity across our water and wastewater systems to protect our environment and public health,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “DEC is proud of the collaboration with State agency partners to help address cybersecurity threats and advance these critical water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives to safeguard communities.”
New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps said,”Local governments operate the drinking water and wastewater systems that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day, and protecting those systems from cyber threats is a critical responsibility. Providing clear standards, financial support and technical assistance will help communities strengthen their defenses while maintaining the reliable services residents depend on. We thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing the security of this essential infrastructure.”
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said,“Safe and reliable drinking water is essential to every community. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, our water systems must be just as advanced in their defense. Additional cybersecurity grants give local water utilities the tools and technology they need to protect operations, ensure clean water delivery and keep our infrastructure secure. We thank Governor Hochul for her consistent leadership in water and wastewater safety and security.”
New York State Association of Towns Executive Director Christopher A. Koetzle said,”We congratulate Governor Hochul on her comprehensive approach to helping local governments across the state deal with the growing cybersecurity threats while also ensuring that our drinking water remains safe and available for all New Yorkers. This is an innovative and extensive approach to helping local governments protect their residents while also helping them maintain their critical frontline services.”
“Governor Hochul recognizes that cyber threat actors could target our public drinking and wastewater systems in an effort to inflict damage upon communities across our State, and, therefore, the highest level of security is necessary to protect our public utilities,” NYS Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services Dru Rai said. “These critical SECURE Act grant funding resources, along with new, nation-leading regulations, are exactly the steps we need to defend this vital infrastructure. At ITS, we are pleased to play an important role in implementing the Governor’s proactive, whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity. If it exists, we will protect it.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Law enforcement is constantly challenged to keep pace with the evolving online technologies exploited by criminals. As threats to cybersecurity and the health and safety of the public become more prominent, we are ramping up our efforts to protect the infrastructure of our drinking water and wastewater systems. Through the leadership and vision of Governor Hochul, we can cohesively safeguard an imperative element in New York State.”
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, providing $3.8 billion in financial assistance for local projects in State Fiscal Year 2025 alone, including $1.1 billion in grants. Governor Hochul set the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan in the 2026 State of the State address, which would bring total State grants to more than $10 billion since 2017.
Improving the State’s Security
$38 million in state funding has been awarded to 17 counties and New York City to improve emergency communications for first responders, making New Yorkers safer. The Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program supports local governments’ efforts to build and repair radio towers that allow them to communicate with other emergency responders during disasters and emergencies. Installing and maintaining these towers ensures that lines of communication continue to be clearly accessible in situations when they are needed the most.
Four New York public safety agencies involved with the security of the 2026 FIFA World Cup events received more than $17.2 million to protect against the threat of the illegal use of drones. The federal C-UAS Grant awards funding can be put toward the purchase of equipment and systems that help state and local agencies to detect, identify, track, monitor and/or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems that pose threats to public safety.
Glen Cove, NY—Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) held a press conference to call out the Administration’s revocation of the ‘Endangerment Finding’ that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare—a move widely seen as a major setback to U.S. efforts to combat the climate crisis.
“We are here with a very simple message for the people of Long Island and New York: Wake up! Your insurance rates are going up, and Moody’s Investor Services reports that Long Island is the fourth most vulnerable place in the United States of America for the effects of climate change,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “This is affecting the quality of your life. We here on Long Island, right by the water right here, are subject to the effects of rising sea levels because the glaciers are melting. We are going to be affected when the permafrost in the arctic region starts to defrost, and all the methane gas comes out and causes more of these greenhouse gases. It affects our trees, it affects our wildlife, it affects nature, but it also affects us in real ways, like causing your insurance rates to go up, like damaging your properties, like making it so you are more subject to more floods and more storms.”
Congressman Suozzi was joined on the bank of a snowy, icy Hempstead Harbor by Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito, Michelle Lapinel McAllister and Nino Luciano from the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, Eric Swenson of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Matt Salton of the New York League of Conservation Voters, and Pete Budden of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who announced that the NRDC would be filing a lawsuit to challenge this decision the following day.
“Thank you to the Congressman for holding this event and for speaking out against the outrageous repeal of the ‘Endangerment Finding.’ By rolling it back, the Trump Administration is launching the single biggest attack in US history on the federal government’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis,” declared said Pete Budden, Senior Advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “It amounts to pure climate denial. Quite simply, this will make climate change worse, this will make air pollution worse, and it will raise costs for people across the country. It is stunning that once again this Administration is asking people not to believe what they see with their own eyes… The NRDC will not stand for it. It’s irresponsibly, it’s unscientific, and it is illegal. We will take this fight to the courtroom. We’re filing a lawsuit tomorrow, and we will win.”
On February 12, President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin – the former Long Island Congressman – with a wink and a nod to the Fossil Fuel Industry which paid $1 billion to elect Trump in 2024, announced the repeal of the ‘Endangerment Finding,’ a 2009 policy that concludes that greenhouse gasses are a threat to public health. This ruling underpins federal action to curb planet-warming gases and is the legal bedrock of efforts to rein in harmful emissions.
“The ‘Endangerment Finding’ was found in 2009, based on sound, good science. The reason it was called the ‘Endangerment Finding’ is because it put in danger our health, our economy, and our future,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens’ Campaign for the Environment. “Climate change is costing us billions. In 2004 alone, we had 27 different climate tragedies throughout America. Extreme climate events, each one cost us $1 billion per event, equating to over $30 billion.”
The “evil twin” of global warming, she noted, is acidification of the marine environment – killing shellfish, fish larvae and the plankton at the base of the food chain.
“We had made so much progress. People were buying electric cars – Nassau County was the #1 market, with 785,000 EVs on Long Island, because they make sense. Why is Trump killing the market for clean energy and EVs? It’s payback for the fossil fuel industry for the $1 billion they spent to elect him in 2024. But the next generation will be the victims.
“We are impacting our planet. We need to act. We need to fight. When Congressman Suozzi called me yesterday, I said, ‘I’m so glad that you’re going to speak up and speak out because the silence from others is deafening.’ And silence portrays that we accept or we agree. We do not accept this. We do not agree with this. And we will not,” Esposito said.
“The ‘Endangerment Finding’ is the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gasses… repealing it would significantly weaken federal authority to address pollution from major sources and protect public health,” said Michelle Lapinel McAllister, Program Director of the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor. “The evidence is clear. Climate change is increasing risk to our communities, infrastructure, and economy. These impacts are measurable and growing, and sustained action at the federal level is necessary to reduce them. Maintaining the ‘Endangerment Finding’ ensures continued progress for clean air, environmental stability, and regulatory certainty. We have a responsibility to uphold science-based policy and protect the health and security of future generations.”
“The water body you see behind us and all the other water bodies on LI are part and parcel of the quality of life that we have here on LI. It’s the reason why people move here, it’s also very important to the economy of our land,” said Eric Swenson, Executive Director of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee. “ 31 years ago, the nine local governments that share this harbor formed the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee to look out for its water quality. We made a lot of progress… We can do a lot, and we spent tens of millions of dollars to improve this harbor, and we’re enjoying the benefits of it.” Indeed, 2,500 acres were re-opened to shell fishing for the first time in years.
“We don’t want to see that go backwards, and we will if this continues the way it is with the ‘Endangerment Finding.’ We need EPA to stand up, to do its job it’s designed to do and it’s created to do, and we need them now. Science is real, we need to base our decisions on science, not politics, and we need to start now,” Swenson said.
“With the repeal of the ‘Endangerment Finding,’ President Trump and the EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are accelerating their assault on our health, environment, and economic future. Clean air is not a partisan issue—it’s a human right,” Matt Salton, Federal Policy Manager of the New York League of Conservation Voters, declared. “With this decision, it rewards polluters, weakens competitiveness of the necessary car manufacturers, and leaves families bearing the unacceptable cost of dirtier air. We are proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi and our fellow advocates to defend clean air and protect the health and the future of every New Yorker.”
Seemingly the only thing that really resonates with voters is the cost of living – as opposed to livability or health or human rights – so Suozzi spelled out the impact of climate change on affordability and the economy – contradicting Trump’s constant lie that renewed dependency on fossil fuel will unleash new riches and a Golden Age of American Greatness.
Climate disasters are raising costs for Long Islanders on everything from home and car insurance to food prices, health care, utility costs. The extremes of heat and cold, the floods, drought, wildfires, sea level rise are causing food shortages and price hikes, heat stroke and disease, ocean acidification which is depleting sea life and the plankton that is at the base of the food chain. At the same time, cutting – even banning and canceling funding – for clean energy projects like Long Island’s offshore wind, solar and electric vehicles while promoting and incentivizing gas-guzzling cars and coal-powered utilities will only exacerbate the severity and frequency of these disasters.
Superstorm Sandy destroyed 100,000 homes and caused $65 billion in damage to Long Island.
Affordability is an issue, as well – because of fierce focus on energy conservation and clean energy, demand for electricity was flat for a decade, but for the first time in decades, energy demand is going up – largely because of the construction of these enormous data centers to power A.I., driving up utility costs for rate payers, Congressman Suozzi said.
“Why cut green energy projects that were increasing energy supply (at lower cost than fossil fuels), projects that were ready for investment with credits from the Biden Administration (nuclear, hydrogen, solar, wind)?”
“Long Island is the fourth most vulnerable place in the United States of America for any population center for the effects of climate change. Number one is San Francisco, number two is Cape Coral in Florida, number three is New York City (I also represent a piece of Queens) and number four is Long Island,” Congressman Suozzi said. “Over the past 50 years, Long Island has had more disaster locations than any other place in all of New York State. There have been dozens of dozens of disaster events. In the United States of America, in 2024, there were 27 severe weather events that caused over $1 billion in damages, $183 billion in total. In the year 2000, there were five. 27 in 2024, and five in 2000. So, this is real life.”
Congressman Suozzi noted that there are three ways to beat back the Trump Administration and restore the government’s role in environmental protection and climate action:
Legislation – which will require Democrats to retake the Majority in Congress, and ultimately, retake the White House.
Lawsuits – organizations including the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), are mounting lawsuits, noting that the Trump administration is in violation of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and that the issue of carbon emissions being a pollutant the federal government is obligated to regulate, was settled.
The third area is motivation – getting people more engaged by raising awareness of the impacts and consequences that derailing a clean, renewable energy agenda has on the economy, affordability, public health and quality of life.
“The reason we are out here today, in the cold, out on the water here, is because we want to get more people who care about the earth; who care about climate change; who care about the effects this is going to have on your wallet; to actually start speaking up and speaking out about this issue. There is so much noise every day as they flood the zone with things to get us agitated, but this is an existential threat to us here on Long Island that we need to stand up and get people motivated to speak out against,” concluded Congressman Suozzi.
“We are messing with the divine creation of the earth: a thing that’s been gifted to us. And it’s been very resilient over most of history. But now the effects of what we are doing as human beings are punching it every single day, and I can’t take it anymore. So we have to wake up,” Congressman Suozzi added.
With 24 states and Puerto Rico led by New York and California forming the U.S. Climate Alliance to take up the baton after the Trump Administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord (twice), it is critical who becomes Governor. (The 24 states, representing 55% of the population, commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28%.)
Governor Kathy Hochul has remained stalwart in support of New York State’s leading-edge climate agenda that calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
In 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act providing funding to state agencies, local governments, and partners to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. A total of $1.9 billion is invested to date. Learn more at www.environmentalbondact.ny.gov.
Recently, the bond funded $265 million in grants for projects to protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, update aging water infrastructure, reduce contributors to harmful algal blooms, and secure access to clean water.
“Every New Yorker deserves clean water, which has been a top priority of mine since taking office,” Governor Hochul stated in announcing the grants. “These grants continue our critical investments to update aging water infrastructure across the state. They will also help our local governments enhance resiliency against flooding caused by severe weather, again demonstrating our commitment to a safe, affordable, and sustainable future for all New Yorkers.”
Hochul also successfully fought back against Trump’s attempt to cancel offshore wind projects, the Hudson Gateway Tunnel, and New York City congestion pricing.
In contrast, Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for Governor Bruce Blakeman has promoted fossil fuels, wants to overturn the ban on fracking, and has done nothing to make the county resilient against climate change – including not applying for state grants.
I’m betting Nassau County Bruce Blakeman doesn’t bother seeking any of this $265 million in state funding for water quality and climate resiliency projects because he doesn’t want to give Hochul a win. Likes to claim she hasn’t done anything in 5 years, but that’s because he’s shut County out of all the state programs that would fund infrastructure projects, including making Nassau’s dangerous roads safer. I would also bet that Blakeman, if he (god forbid) becomes NYS Governor, will end the state’s leading climate action and resiliency initiatives, and reverse course like his puppetmaster Trump did, opening the state to drilling and pipelines again, canceling the clean energy projects – wind and solar, EV charging stations – that have been so-hard fought for and just taking hold. Hochul’s focus on water quality and climate resiliency projects is all the more vital coming just after the ex-Long Island Congressman, now EPA Chief Lee Zeldin declared that lives lost would no longer be factored in decisions to regulate air and water quality. Take that in.
Meanwhile, Governor Hochul issued a statement after a federal judge in Washington issued a ruling allowing the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project to move forward – projects considered vital to supplying Long Island with sufficient, affordable energy without contributing to climate change – after the Trump Administration tried to shut them down: – Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com
We just received word that a federal judge in Washington has sided with us and the company Equinor, and other companies who are providers of offshore wind. The developer, Equinor, sued because the Trump administration arbitrarily issued a stop work order on a project that had been underway, contemplated for over a decade as part of our [renewable] energy strategy. The work was done. The platforms are built. Thousands of workers from Long Island to New York City and beyond have been working through all kinds of weather — extreme weather — to do something that is critically important for our energy future and has been contemplated as part of our grid. The Trump administration shut it down, we went to court and now the stop work order must be lifted and people get back to their jobs.
And I’m sick and tired of having to go to court time and time and time again to stop these decisions. They’re designed to do nothing other than hurt workers, hurt our states, hurt our economy and hurt our energy future.
So we won. The federal court ruled in favor of restarting the work at Empire Wind Offshore Wind Project, clearing the way for it to go forward. And this is what we’re talking about, two of these projects that were shut down along the East Coast. Two were in New York, Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind off the coast of Long Island.
They were stopped under the bogus pretense of national security. When I heard this, I said one thing, “I’m the Governor of New York. If there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is — I want a briefing right now.” Low and behold, they had no answer. They had fake claims about radar. Radar can be addressed and handled as it has happened on many other projects in the past.
So, we rallied just last Friday on Long Island, surrounded by hundreds of hardworking union members, environmentalists, residents, businesses, who are part of the supply chain. Businesses, Republicans and Democrats stood together with us to say, “Turn it back on, lift the stop work order.” And I’m really proud that a judge has agreed with this, that the billions of dollars of private investment can stay right here in New York. And also reminding us that energy security is part of national security. We have been contemplating on this for years to literally next year, or perhaps even later this year to turn on this clean renewable energy source, to power half a million homes in Brooklyn alone.
When they shut this down right before Christmas, shut it down, it drove a huge hole in our energy resiliency grid planning. So, I’m proud to say that the company has been successful in court. We’re going to continue doing what we have to do every single step of the way, but for now the wind turbines will be turning on.
–Karen Rubin, editor/news-photo-features.
$211 Million inWater Quality Improvement Grants for 175 Projects Protecting Drinking Water, Updating Water Infrastructure, Reducing Contributors to Harmful Algal Blooms
$55 Million in Resilient Watersheds Grants for 24 Climate Resiliency Projects To Alleviate Flooding and Safeguard New Yorkers from Severe Weather
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $265 million in grants to support projects that will help protect drinking water, improve climate resilience, update aging water infrastructure, reduce contributors to harmful algal blooms, and secure access to clean water. The funding complements the historic environmental investments announced earlier this week in the 2026 State of the State, building upon the record support for New York’s premier grant programs that fund critical water infrastructure, protect drinking water and safeguard communities.
“Every New Yorker deserves clean water, which has been a top priority of mine since taking office,” Governor Hochul said. “These grants continue our critical investments to update aging water infrastructure across the state. They will also help our local governments enhance resiliency against flooding caused by severe weather, again demonstrating our commitment to a safe, affordable, and sustainable future for all New Yorkers.”
Today’s announcement is supported by funding from multiple grant programs administered by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and investments from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, Environmental Protection Fund and other sources. The programs help protect New York State communities and water quality, while reinforcing the State’s support for municipalities by making these critical projects more affordable and minimizing the financial burden on local taxpayers.
More than $209 million was awarded to 131 projects through DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program. WQIP grants fund projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency or protect a drinking water source. A full list of grant awards can be found here.
A total of $2.9 million is being awarded to 44 projects through DEC’s Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 System Mapping Grant (NPG) to fund projects that help pay for the initial planning of water quality improvement projects such as replacing undersized culvert, green infrastructure, and State permit-required storm sewer mapping in urban areas. NPG projects reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff entering lakes, rivers, and streams and improve resiliency against the impacts of climate change. A full list of grant awards can be found here.
Governor Hochul also announced $55 million in new grant funding for 24 climate resiliency projects in 15 communities across New York State. EFC, in coordination with DEC, administers the Resilient Watersheds Grants (RWG) program funded through the Bond Act. RWG projects were selected to reflect the diverse, statewide issues that New Yorkers are facing and include stream and floodplain restoration, removal of dams, culverts and other barriers, culvert replacements and property buyouts. The RWG program builds on the success of DEC’s Resilient NY, which delivers state-of-the-art studies of flood-prone, high-risk watersheds across the State. All awarded projects were recommended actions by Resilient NY studies or a comparable flood study. A full list of grant awards can be found here.
RWG awards include two projects in Yonkers, where an announcement was made with State and local partners. The City of Yonkers will receive two grants totaling more than $6.66 million for culvert replacement and streambank stabilization along Troublesome Brook near the Scarsdale Road and Manhattan Avenue crossings. The announcement also celebrated two WQIP grants in the Lower Westchester area: the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation will receive $600,000 to construct a salt storage facility and protect water quality in the Hudson River and groundwater. Save the Sound, Inc., will receive $2 million for dam removal and critical habitat restoration along the Bronx River.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, ”Since taking office, and most recently in the 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul continues to provide unprecedented resources to invest in climate resiliency and water infrastructure to support communities across the State. With more than $265 million from multiple programs, including $185 million supporting improvements in environmental justice communities, the awarded projects will help our municipal partners achieve meaningful reductions in flood risk, protect drinking water, improve aquatic habitat and safeguard residents from increasingly severe weather events.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, “Governor Hochul is investing billions in water infrastructure every year to help local governments affordably advance crucial water quality and resiliency projects. By pairing Environmental Bond Act funding with other State program funding to support new and signature programs, every dollar goes further and brings New York closer to a safer, more sustainable future. The new Resilient Watersheds Grant program will jumpstart flood-mitigation projects in some of the most at-risk communities while creating good-paying jobs that drive local economies.”
Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Now more than ever, when the federal government is trying to halt New York’s progress towards environmental goals, it is crucial that our state continue leading on environmental stewardship. Today’s announcement of $211 million in grant funding through the Water Quality Improvement Project Program is a reflection of the Senate’s commitment to ensuring New York’s communities are more resilient to extreme weather events and safeguarding our state’s water resources. I am proud to stand with my partners in government, including Governor Hochul and DEC Commissioner Lefton, to announce these vital investments.”
State Senator Peter Harckham said, “This major investment from the state through water quality improvement grants will ensure public health standards, support local municipalities and businesses, and create good jobs as well. Maintaining safe, accessible drinking water sources and supply systems is integral to future growth and prosperity, and I thank Governor Hochul, my colleagues in the State Legislature and the Department of Environmental Conservation for making the financial commitment to see this through.”
New York State’s Commitment to Water QualityImprovements
Governor Hochul remains committed to ensuring New Yorkers have access to safe, clean drinking water. As outlined in the 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul is proposing a bold five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to modernize New York’s water systems, providing $750 million annually to provide clean water while also unlocking the state’s economic potential. This historic funding level will also continue to uplift and support New York’s premier water programs, such as WQIP, the Water Infrastructure Improvement program and the Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation program. In addition, the new Smart Growth Water Grant Program will fund the essential sewer and water infrastructure required to build new housing and support the state’s growing economy.
Since 2017, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature have invested $6 billion in clean water infrastructure to replace aging water mains, upgrade sewage treatment plants, replace lead pipes, filter toxic PFAS chemicals and much more. The Governor’s new commitment would raise that total to nearly $10 billion.
New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act
On November 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. A total of $1.9 billion is invested to date. Learn more at www.environmentalbondact.ny.gov.
About the Consolidated Funding Application
The grants announced today were issued following completion through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process. The CFA was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.
27 Million Fewer Vehicles Entered the Congestion Relief Zone, Traffic Down 11%; Crossing Speeds Up by as Much as 51%; Transit Ridership Up 7%
Congestion Pricing Delivers Cleaner Air and Safer Streets: Pollution Down 22% in the Zone and Down Throughout Region; Crashes Down 7% and Traffic Injuries Down 8%
Manhattan Economy is Thriving: Best Year for Office Leasing in 23 Years; Foot Traffic Up From 2024; Sales Tax Receipts up Over 6%
$15 Billion in Funding Unlocked to Advance Critical Transit Improvements Including New Railcars, Signal Upgrades and the Second Avenue Subway
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that on its one-year anniversary, New York City’s first-in-the-nation congestion pricing program has been a transformational success, reducing traffic, improving quality of life and supporting billions in transit upgrades. In its first year, congestion pricing resulted in 27 million fewer vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) of Manhattan south of 60th St, an 11 percent reduction in traffic. Reduced gridlock has improved commute times across the region, especially at crossings into the CRZ, with some drivers saving as much as 15 minutes each way. Congestion pricing has reduced emissions, made streets safer, improved quality of life, and has generated over $550 million in net revenue in its first year, allowing the MTA to proceed with $15 billion in transit improvement projects. Governor Hochul has also stood strong to defend congestion pricing from unlawful federal efforts to terminate the program. One year in, congestion pricing is working and it is legal.
“The results are in and it is clear that in just one year, congestion pricing has been an unprecedented success in New York,”Governor Hochul said. “By every measure, this program has met or exceeded expectations: traffic and gridlock are down substantially, people are moving faster, air quality is improved, streets are safer and our economy is stronger. New Yorkers are benefitting from congestion pricing every day, and that’s why we have fought to stop any unlawful federal attempt to end this program. And there are even more benefits to come: $15 billion in transit upgrades with major projects already underway, improving the commutes of millions of New Yorkers.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “As we mark the one-year anniversary of congestion pricing going into effect, its benefits are clearer than ever. Traffic crashes and noise complaints are dropping, while funding for the MTA and air quality are rising. Working New Yorkers deserve less congestion, a well-funded transit system, and a safer and quieter place to call home, and I’m proud to see congestion pricing deliver on that promise.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “I want to thank all who worked on this program over the years. The congestion pricing experience demonstrates what the new MTA can accomplish working with our State and City partners. The result here is flawless execution and unprecedented benefits for all New Yorkers.”
New York State and the MTA have successfully fought off repeated legal challenges to congestion pricing and have stood up to block the unlawful attempts of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In May, a preliminary injunction was issued in the case of Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, keeping congestion pricing in effect pending further court proceedings and enjoining the federal government from taking retaliatory measures in response.
Since congestion pricing commenced at 12:00 am on January 5, 2025, it has delivered a wide array of benefits according to data from the MTA and other reports from business groups, government agencies and academic institutions.
Congestion Pricing Has Reduced Gridlock
Following the launch of congestion pricing, over 27 million fewer cars have entered the CRZ. On any given day, over 73,000 fewer vehicles are entering the zone, an 11 percent reduction on average. Crossings entering and exiting the CRZ experienced especially pronounced speed improvements, with morning rush hour traffic speeds up an average of 23 percent.
Brooklyn Bridge: 15 percent faster
Holland Tunnel: 51 percent faster
Hugh L Carey Tunnel: 10.8 percent faster
Lincoln Tunnel: 24.7 percent faster
Manhattan Bridge: 6.7 percent faster
Queensboro Bridge: 29.3 percent faster
Queens-Midtown Tunnel: 18.4 percent faster
Williamsburg Bridge: 28.3 percent faster
Reduced gridlock is speeding up trips for motorists and transit riders. Within the CRZ, bus speeds increased 2.3 percent, reversing the trend of declining speeds seen in 2023 and 2024. Weekday vehicle speeds in the CRZ were up 4 percent compared to 2024, with weekends seeing a 6.2 percent improvement. Deliveries and the movement of goods in the CRZ are also being completed faster, with truck speeds up 5.6 percent compared to 2024.
The amount of driving done in the CRZ has declined as well, with the total Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) down by 7.1 percent. The share of personal vehicles like cars, pickup trucks and vans entering the CRZ has declined by six percentage points since the launch of congestion pricing.
Congestion pricing has also yielded benefits outside of the CRZ, including in previously identified Environmental Justice Communities. The BQE saw a 5 percent reduction in total traffic and a 10.2 percent reduction in truck traffic. The Cross Bronx Expressway saw total traffic decline by 7.4 percent and truck traffic drop by 4.3 percent. The Major Deegan Expressway in Mott Haven experienced a total traffic reduction of 7.1 percent, with truck traffic down 9.2 percent.
Roads approaching the CRZ are moving faster as well: sections of Flatbush Ave approaching the Manhattan Bridge saw speed increases of 6 percent, I-495 in New Jersey has experienced a 15 percent speed increase approaching the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Gowanus Expressway saw a 7 percent improvement between the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.
New York City’s Economy is Thriving
The launch of congestion pricing has coincided with a booming Manhattan economy. On metrics ranging from office leasing rates to Broadway ticket sales, 2025 saw business up in the CRZ and in New York City as a whole.
Manhattan’s office economy is thriving. In July of 2025, New York City became the first major American city to exceed pre-pandemic office traffic, according to data from placer.ai. Office leasing has surged in 2025: according to a recent report from Colliers, office leasing activity in Q3 2025 was up 9.2 percent year over year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and on track for the highest volume of new office leases since 2002. There are one percentage point fewer vacant storefronts in the CRZ in the year since the program launched, according to NYC Economic Development Corporation data. Jobs increased as well, with NYS Department of Labor statistics showing private sector employment in New York City up 2.0 percent in August, more than double the national rate of 0.9 percent.
Economic activity has increased both in the CRZ and across New York City. Data from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance shows that sales tax receipts were up 6.3 percent in New York City in 2025 through November, exceeding the state’s average, three times higher than neighboring Westchester County and more than six times higher than neighboring Nassau county. In 2025, Broadway had its best season in history, with $1.9 billion in ticket sales, up 23 percent from the previous season. Restaurant reservations and retail sales were also up in the CRZ, according to industry reports.
More people are entering the CRZ to work and visit since the launch of congestion pricing. Foot traffic increased by 3.4 percent in the zone, compared to a boroughwide increase of 1.4 percent. Transit ridership also rose entering and within the CRZ; according to MTA data, subway trips entering the zone increased by 9 percent, with express bus trips up 7.8 percent and local bus trips up 8.4 percent.
Congestion Pricing Has Improved Quality of Life
Congestion pricing has produced benefits that extend far beyond reduced traffic and faster trips; it has yielded transformative benefits to the quality of life of New Yorkers.
Preliminary data has shown improved air quality since congestion pricing launched. A recent study from Cornell University found that air pollution, in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller, dropped by 22 percent in the CRZ, with reductions seen across the five boroughs and surrounding suburbs. MTA data also found a 6.1 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the zone through Q3 of 2025. Reduced gridlock is also driving down noise pollution. According to 311 data, vehicle noise complaints for issues like horn honking decreased in the CRZ by 17 percent compared to 2024.
Reduced traffic has corresponded with a record year for street safety in New York City. Crashes within the CRZ declined by 7 percent, with traffic injuries down 8 percent. Traffic fatalities were down by 40 percent in the CRZ as of July, according to data from the NYPD. Citywide, 2025 saw the fewest traffic deaths in recorded history, with fatalities down 19 percent from 2024. Safety was improved for motorists, pedestrians, and the cyclists who take 600,000 trips each day: pedestrian fatalities were down 9 percent, and cyclist fatalities on New York City’s streets decreased to 20, compared to 23 in 2024.
Critical Transit Improvement Projects are Underway
Congestion pricing has consistently met monthly revenue targets needed to generate the projected $500 million in annual net revenue. As of November 2025, $518 million in net tolling revenue has been collected and allocated to support transit improvements and mitigation initiatives, with preliminary projections for year-end exceeding $550 million in net revenues.
Overall, the program allows the MTA to proceed with $15 billion in funding for the 2020-2024 Capital Plan, advancing projects to rebuild, improve and expand the transit system. A third of that funding is dedicated towards performing critical state of good repair work to ensure the continued reliability of the transit system.
Projects funded by congestion pricing include:
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 ($3B)
Signal upgrades along the AC and BDFM lines ($3B)
Accessibility improvements to 23+ subway stations ($2B)
New railcars and buses ($2B)
State of Good Repair projects ($5B)
As of January 1, 2026, more than $6 billion in projects unlocked by Congestion Relief are in construction, including Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, ADA upgrades at nine stations, new signals serving more than 600,000 A/C riders in Brooklyn and Queens, and systemwide state of good repair work.
Mitigation Initiative Progress
The MTA and its project sponsors continue to deliver on the mitigation and monitoring commitments outlined in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA). The MTA and sponsors committed to $125 million in total mitigations across eight initiatives, with every initiative now in progress. Final implementation has now begun for three mitigations:
Expand NYC Clean Trucks Program ($20M): Implementation has begun. NYC DOT will begin accepting new applications for rebate incentives by the spring.
Expand NYC DOT Off-Hours Delivery Program ($5M): Implementation is in progress. In partnership with NYC DOT to improve safety and reduce daytime truck traffic, NYC DOT will begin onboarding new participants in Q1 2026.
Replacement of Truck Refrigeration Units (TRUs) at Hunts Point Market ($15M): Implementation is in progress. Replacing up to 1,000 TRUs will result in major nitrogen oxide and particulate matter reductions — replacement of a single TRU avoids the equivalent of particulate-matter emissions from 330 truck trips a day on the Cross Bronx Expressway. The first unit was delivered in December 2025.
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said, “In just congestion pricing’s first year, we’ve seen fewer vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district, cleaner air, safer streets, and more people choosing to bike, walk, and take mass transit. All New Yorkers are benefiting, with new investments in mass transit and other projects that make it easier to get around without a car. Congestion pricing is a reminder that when you dare to be bold, you can achieve big things. That is why NYC DOT will lead with ambition and innovation—determined not just to make our streets better, but to make them the envy of the world. I thank the Governor and the MTA for their leadership, as well as the NYC DOT staff who are working every day to support this invaluable program.”
Representative Jerry Nadler said, “The bottom line is this: One year later congestion pricing is making New York better. We know it works. It’s cut down on traffic, and commuting times into the city are dramatically faster. Less traffic brings faster emergency response times, cleaner air, and safer streets—all while funding MTA accessibility improvements and transit extensions like the Second Avenue Subway that rely on the revenue congestion pricing generates. So I say this to anyone who tries to derail congestion pricing: get out of the way. This train is staying on the tracks. Congestion pricing will continue. We will fund the MTA. And we will protect the rights of New Yorkers to make decisions about their own city.”
Representative Dan Goldman said, “The results of the first year of Congestion Pricing in Lower Manhattan are clear: reduced congestion, fewer traffic accidents, cleaner air, increased foot traffic, and new revenue that will be used to improve the nation’s largest public transportation system that services the vast majority of New York City commuters. I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Governor Hochul and the MTA to make sure our commuters, our city and our environment continue to reap the benefits of this vitally important policy.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “Congestion pricing is working for New York City. One year after implementation, we are already seeing the benefits of safer streets, cleaner air, and a better funded transportation system. These benefits improve the quality of life for working class New Yorkers across the five boroughs and regions. I commend Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and MTA Chair Lieber on their commitment to congestion pricing and defending this vital program from attacks from the Trump administration.”
Assemblymember Tony Simone said, “Fighting for the working class is never easy, but always worth it. We are one year in, and Congestion Pricing is already delivering results far beyond expectation. For the millions of New Yorkers who rely on transit, we have invested billions into expansion and improvement. For New Yorkers who choose to drive, traffic is down and speeds are up. And for my constituents who live in the zone, noise is down, pollution is down, and business is up. Congestion Pricing has quickly proven to be one of the single most effective public policy measures in history.”
Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, “The first year of the congestion pricing program has delivered to the MTA more resources than anticipated to support critical capital improvements to our essential transit system. I’m heartened to see this strong foundation that will enable the MTA to make desperately needed upgrades to our transit system, upon which millions of New Yorkers rely. It’s also great to see reduced traffic, improved commute times, and a reduction in air pollution throughout the Congestion Relief Zone.”
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “The cumulative impacts of congestion pricing cannot be overstated as we confront the realities of climate change. The Legislature understood the immense benefits that such a policy would have on the Big Apple when we originally passed it back in 2019 – and that foresight is certainly paying off. In just one year, Midtown is being released from gridlock, noise complaints are down, traffic-related incidents are becoming less frequent and the MTA is using the fees to make much-needed repairs to our transportation system. That is why we must remain steadfast in our commitment to this policy and continue rejecting any federal overtures to end this transformative program.”
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine said, “After just one year, congestion pricing has proven to be a resounding victory for transit riders, our communities, and the city. Despite the early hand-wringing, congestion pricing has stimulated economic activity across our restaurants, storefronts, and cultural hubs, all while generating millions for the MTA. By standing up to the Trump administration, Governor Hochul has ensured New York can invest in subway accessibility, reduce traffic and crashes, improve air quality, and deliver a reliable transportation system for generations to come.”
New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer said, “One year in, congestion pricing has proven to be exactly what New York needed. It’s been incredibly effective at reducing car trips, easing gridlock, and expanding subway and bus usage, while also delivering cleaner air and safer streets. The data shows that fewer vehicles are entering Manhattan, transit ridership is up, and our economy continues to thrive — all at the same time. This program is working. I look forward to the report that NYC DOT is producing with recommendations for the future so we can build on this success and ensure congestion pricing continues to benefit New Yorkers across the city and the region.”
New York City Councilmember Harvey Epstein said, “After one year, it is clear that congestion pricing is delivering real benefits for everyday New Yorkers. We’re seeing less traffic and noise, cleaner air, and faster, more reliable transit, creating a safer, greener, more efficient city for everyone.”
New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher said, “After one year, congestion pricing has proven what so many New Yorkers believed all along: when we put people first, our city works better. We are seeing fewer cars, cleaner air, safer streets, and faster commutes, while unlocking billions of dollars to modernize and expand our transit system. This is a win for working New Yorkers, for our environment, and for the long-term health of our economy. I commend Governor Hochul for standing strong and defending this program, because the data is clear—congestion pricing is working, and New York City is better because of it.”
New York City Councilmember Virginia Maloney said, “Traffic has always been a headache for New Yorkers, especially here in the heart of Manhattan. One year later, congestion pricing has delivered on its two main goals: cutting down on gridlock and raising much-needed funding for mass transit. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the City Council and in Albany to make sure the Congestion Pricing Program continues to deliver results and works for all New Yorkers.”
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Again and again, congestion pricing works. One year in, with traffic down 11 percent and over half a billion dollars in substantial new revenue for the MTA raised, the program is proving exactly why bold, smart policy matters. New Yorkers are feeling the benefits of fewer cars, faster commutes, cleaner air, and safer streets every day. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her continued leadership standing up for this critical program and New Yorkers.”
Roosevelt House at Hunter College Transportation Research Program Chair Samuel I. Schwartz (Gridlock Sam) said, “I’ve been wrestling with NYC traffic for nearly 60 years having started as a cabdriver circa 1967 and 15 years later as traffic commissioner. I’ve seen avenues converted to one-way, traffic signals retimed, several thousand traffic agents hired but I never saw a program as effective as congestion pricing in improving traffic flow and safety. Kudos to the governor and the MTA for a near flawless roll-out.”
Environmental Defense Fund Senior Advisor Andy Darrell said, “One year in, congestion pricing has delivered on its promise of cleaner air, safer streets, and a healthier city. Fewer cars mean less pollution, faster buses, and cleaner air for communities citywide. And the program is strengthening New York’s economy by funding transit improvements that keep New York City affordable for millions of people every day and supporting good jobs across the state. New York has set a national example for how environmental leadership can drive economic opportunity and improve quality of life.”
Regional Plan Association President and CEO Tom Wright said, “By every measure we have data for, the nation’s first-ever congestion pricing program has delivered positive results for commuters and residents both in New York City and across the tri-state metropolitan region. Residents, businesses, and commuters are enjoying cleaner air, faster travel with less delays, and improved transit. New York’s congestion pricing program has proven to be a wildly successful proof of concept for policy interventions that improve quality of life in every community it touches. Thank you Governor Hochul for leading the way.”
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) New York City Environment Director Eric A. Goldstein said, “The success to date of New York’s congestion pricing program is no accident. It took years of planning and analysis, public engagement, and attention to detail. But on the program’s one year anniversary, the results are clear – reduced congestion, faster commutes, reduced pollution, and enhancements to the region’s irreplaceable transit network that moves millions of commuters every day. Bravo to Governor Kathy Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber, and their staff for the accomplishments to date and the progress yet to come from implementation of this landmark transportation strategy.”
StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, “New York City’s congestion pricing program has been an unequivocal success and has delivered on all of its promises – reduced traffic volumes, improved travel times, cleaner air, critical revenue for the transit system – and then some, like fewer crashes and increased pedestrian and retail activity. We should have implemented it decades ago, but we’re grateful to be celebrating its first anniversary. Congratulations to everyone responsible for making it happen.”
New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura said, “One year in, New York’s congestion relief program has shown that when we invest in moving people better, we move the entire region forward. In just 12 months, the program has started to generate the reliable funding needed to modernize our aging transit system and help keep the city flowing. We’re already seeing accelerated repair work, progress on long-planned infrastructure projects, and new economic activity across the state, including in upstate communities that build the railcars and equipment that power our system. This first year has proved that smart policy can reduce gridlock and air pollution, and lay the foundation for a stronger, greener, more connected New York.”
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, “By every measure imaginable, the congestion relief program has exceeded expectations in its first year, benefiting transit riders and drivers alike while breaking the gridlock that has choked our city and region. As longtime advocates for this program, we could not be prouder of its enormous successes, even as we continue to defend it from its misguided detractors. We celebrate today’s anniversary milestone because it is a win for all New Yorkers, and thank Governor Hochul, MTA leadership, and the many people who had the political courage to implement this historic and transformative program.”
CIVITAS Executive Director Sharon Pope-Marshall said, “New York City’s Congestion Pricing Program has yielded undeniable benefits, particularly significant reductions in traffic volume, particulate pollution, motor vehicle crashes, traffic-related injuries, and noise. Data also shows that traffic is down outside of the congestion relief zone. The Program generated $500 million in substantial new revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This vital funding stream will help advance transit infrastructure and other transit-related projects across the city. Investment in public transit reinforces a core tenet of urban planning: efficient and accessible transportation is an essential link to support thriving, sustainable, and resilient urban neighborhoods.”
Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) President James Whelan said, “Congestion pricing has delivered tangible benefits for the people of New York City — decreased traffic, improved air quality, and a critical revenue stream for important transit improvements. We commend Governor Hochul for her ongoing commitment to this program, and we expect to see even greater benefits from congestion pricing in the years to come.”
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest Disability Justice Program Managing Attorney Christopher Schuyler said, “Congestion pricing benefits all New Yorkers, particularly people with disabilities. Congestion pricing funds subway accessibility improvement projects, reduces traffic so that people who use Access-A-Ride and emergency vehicles can get to where they are going faster, makes the roads and crosswalks safer for all pedestrians including people who use wheelchairs – a group disproportionately harmed by traffic related-incidents, and reduces emissions in the zone thereby improving air quality. One year in, the data proves that congestion pricing is a resounding success for all New Yorkers!”
Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Renae Reynolds said, “One year in, we can finally settle the debate: congestion pricing was the right move not just for New York City but for the entire region and the people who call it home. Traffic is down, streets are safer, crashes and noise complaints have dropped, truck traffic is easing, and we can breathe cleaner air. We’re seeing long overdue subway improvements, the establishment of an asthma case management program in the Bronx, and more visitors enjoying what the city has to offer, proof that this world-class city is building the world-class transportation system we imagined, with even better days ahead.”
Evergreen Action Senior Transportation Policy Lead Liya Rechtman said, “One year of congestion pricing in New York has been an unmitigated success for commuters and the climate. We are thrilled that New Yorkers are sitting in less traffic, breathing cleaner air, and investing in long awaited public transit upgrades. And we are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and leaders in this state for holding the line in the face of ongoing spurious attacks from the Trump administration. Congestion pricing is here to stay and we’re excited for New Yorkers to continue reaping the benefits.”
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “One year in, congestion pricing is delivering what New Yorkers were promised. Traffic is down 11 percent. Travel times are faster and more reliable. Bus, train, and subway ridership are up, and the MTA is investing $15 billion to modernize the system and deliver more frequent, reliable service. At its core, congestion pricing reflects a simple truth: we can’t drive our way out of the climate crisis. By reducing the number of cars on the road, it’s cutting congestion while strengthening the transit system millions of New Yorkers rely on. It takes bold leadership to advance policies that improve our communities and daily lives — especially when they aren’t universally popular at the start. That’s exactly what Governor Hochul showed by moving congestion pricing forward to deliver real results for New Yorkers.”
Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director Danny Pearlstein said, “Public transit riders organized and won congestion relief, which has now survived infancy and shows great promise at the start of year two. America’s slowest buses are moving faster. New revenue is improving subway service and upgrading stations. New York’s air quality is getting better. Of the entire parade of horribles that the program’s opponents threatened, just one has come true: Success has once again proven the worth of government action and emboldened everyday New Yorkers to continue to tackle persistent challenges together.”
Hudson Square Business Improvement District President & CEO Samara Karasyk said, “At the doorstep of the Holland Tunnel, Hudson Square is seeing firsthand how effective congestion pricing can be. With fewer cars on our streets and dramatically faster tunnel crossings, the neighborhood feels calmer, safer, and more welcoming. Pedestrian activity has risen by nearly 20 percent year over year, and we’re seeing the benefits in improved air quality, reduced horn honking, and growing momentum in our retail and commercial spaces. For the Hudson Square community, congestion pricing is helping create a healthier, more vibrant environment where people, not traffic, take priority.”
The Trump administration’s latest attack on clean energy, climate action and energy independence in order to bolster the fossil fuel industry, prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee to issue a joint statement decrying the action (which was already overturned in federal court), and promising to continue to fight the action in court. In addition, Governor Hochul published an op-ed in the Empire Report. These are projects that have been years in development, have gone through all the regulatory and environmental reviews, and have been well underway, nearing completion and would supply millions of households with lower cost energy while addressing the crisis in reducing carbon emissions contributing to climate change, climate disasters and sealevel rise. The relationship between the dependence on oil, wars and imperialism is heightened as Trump with one hand overturns clean energy initiatives and carbon emission standards, while he takes over Venezuelan oil tankers threatens an invasion of Venezuela to take over its oil resources.
“The Trump administration’s announcement yesterday pausing offshore wind leases is its latest egregious attack on clean energy and it lands like a lump of dirty coal for the holiday season for American workers, consumers, and investors. Pausing active leases, especially for completed and nearly completed projects, defies logic, will hurt our bid for energy independence, will drive up costs for America ratepayers, and will make us lose thousands of good-paying jobs. It also threatens grid reliability that is needed to keep the lights on.
“Atlantic states are working hard to build more energy to meet rising demand and lower costs. Already, these projects have created thousands of jobs and injected billions in economic activity into our communities.
“This baseless, reckless and erratic action from the Department of Interior will also inject further uncertainty into the markets, making it harder for states and private companies to secure financing for public works projects if investors know they can be stopped at any time despite having gone through all the necessary local and federal approval processes.
“A federal judge earlier this month ruled the Trump administration cannot simply halt federal approvals of offshore wind permits arbitrarily. We are committed as governors to again fight back to ensure these projects move forward and provide power, jobs, and grid reliability to our communities.”
Governor Kathy Hochul: ‘Killing Jobs Won’t Power America;
Today, Empire Report published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul responding to President Trump’s suspension of offshore wind projects. Text of the op-ed can be viewed online and is available below:
Right in the midst of the holiday season, we learned that President Trump is once again pulling the rug out from under New York workers. Without warning, his administration shut down Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind, along with offshore wind projects in other states. In one reckless move, he put thousands of good-paying jobs and New York’s energy future at risk.
Imagine working hard all year, only to find out that your job is suddenly gone. That is reality for nearly 2,000 New Yorkers who woke up yesterday wondering if they will still have a paycheck. People who did everything right, worked hard, and showed up every day, are now being told their livelihoods do not matter. Not because these projects failed. Not because the permits were flawed. But because the President decided to pull the plug.
The jobs building these wind farms aren’t just good union jobs that keep families afloat — they are also jobs that will create clean energy and keep energy costs down. Just a few months ago, the New York State Independent System Operator warned that unless New York starts generating more power quickly, we could face blackouts as soon as this summer.
That is why New York is aggressively pursuing an all-of-the-above energy approach. We build. We plan. We use every tool available–solar, wind, nuclear, and gas–because keeping the lights on and costs down is not optional.
Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind are central to that effort. Together, these projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power roughly 10 percent of New York City. They strengthen reliability at a time of growing demand. They reduce pressure on energy prices for families already stretched thin. And they anchor a robust offshore wind supply chain, from ports and manufacturers to electricians, ironworkers, and longshoremen who depend on these projects to keep working.
President Trump’s vendetta against wind projects is obsessive and baffling. It is also not new. When President Trump issued a stop work order on Empire Wind 1 earlier this year, I convinced him to lift it. Alongside the Attorney General, I went to court to ensure he could not arbitrarily deny new offshore wind permits. Just as canceling Empire Wind 1 was unacceptable months ago, this new stoppage is unacceptable now.
The President is now hiding behind claims of national security, arguing that projects approved by the Department of Defense and fully permitted at the federal and state level, are suddenly a threat. New Yorkers know the truth. The real threat is not a carefully designed offshore wind project. It is a President undermining America’s ability to produce its own energy.
Mr. President, you and I agree: Energy independence matters. So let us build.
I have saved wind power in New York before. And now, in partnership with the other impacted states, I will do it again. This will not be the year that hardworking New Yorkers lose their paychecks during the holidays because their President turned his back on them. This will be the year that New Yorkers have the jobs they need and the power their economy requires, at a cost they can afford, because I will never stop fighting for New Yorkers.
Protesters took to New York City streets on Saturday, September 20, to call for climate, social, and economic justice, and specifically, making billionaires and polluters pay up.
The “Make Billionaires Pay” march united climate activists, migrant rights defenders and women’s rights advocates in their demands for climate and social justice. Climate movement researchers say the coalition reflects a growing shift toward intersectional, grassroots mobilization as climate action stalls at the federal level. It is led by 350.org, Climate Defenders, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), Target Majority NYC and Women’s March.
“I hope we can scare Trump and his billionaire allies,” said Renata Pumarol, deputy director of Climate Defenders, a multi-racial and multi-generational climate organizing hub. “We need to show them that we are organized, and that there are more of us than them.”
“The billionaire fascists are setting our world on fire,” Target Majority NYC stated. “They’re dismantling democracy, attacking immigrants, and fueling war. They profit off genocide and climate collapse. This moment demands mass mobilization. As world leaders gather in New York City for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week, it’s time to show them that we are revolting against Trump and the billionaire class. We’re calling on people across the US to join the nonviolent resistance by hosting a march in your community or joining the anchor march in NYC.”
“Everything feels out of control. ICE raids tearing families apart. Genocide streamed live on our screens,” Womens March declared.” Free speech and our freedoms under direct attack from the Trump regime. And billionaires are pouring gasoline on every fire while families can’t make rent. They want us scattered. Silent. Afraid. Today, we gather in power. As the United Nations meets and Climate Week begins, we take the streets of New York City- lound, undeniable, impossible to ignore.”
“Make Billionaires Pay”
They gathered during Climate Week, as the United Nations General Assembly gets underway.
They marched as the Trump administration is actively rescinding the historic climate actions of the Biden Administration to transition to a clean, renewable energy economy, cancelling regulations to protect the air and water from pollution, cancelling tax credits for electric vehicles, actively shutting down the offshore windfarms that were already well under construction, his EPA Administrator, Long Islander Lee Zeldin who unsuccessfully ran for New York Governor, rescinding the Endangerment Finding that empowers the federal government to regulate carbon emissions contributing to climate change.
“As soon as the second Trump administration took office in January 2025, he unleashed an immediate and unprecedented attack on our environment and public health,” writes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “This includes a rollback of crucial environmental safeguards, the repeal of bedrock environmental and health laws, the delay of critical protections for endangered species, and attacks on well-established science and scientists.” (https://www.nrdc.org/resources/white-house-watch-tracking-attacks-our-environment-health)
The actions are not only hurting public health, exposing communities to more severe and deadly climate disasters, but affordability, as well. Ending the development and transition to clean, renewable energy makes American households dependent on ever-rising prices for fossil fuels.
“Clean energy has lowered Americans’ bills, created hundreds of thousands of jobs, and helped fight climate change. But it’s bad for the fossil fuel industry’s bottom line, and Trump seems willing to stop at nothing to slow it down – including breaking the law his own party just passed,” the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) writes. “We need to build as much clean energy as we can to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Thanks to Trump and his fossil fuel cronies, Americans are getting more pollution, higher bills, and more deadly extreme weather instead of the healthy, safe, and prosperous future we deserve.” (https://www.actonclimate.com/post/cacs-alt-on-trumps-latest-attack-on-wind-and-solar/)
It’s hard to keep track of all the aggressively, in-your face anti-climate, anti-environment, anti-public health actions trump has unleashed – this list was compiled with the help of AI:
Withdrew from the Paris Agreement again.
Prioritizes fossil fuel production while actively attacking clean renewable energy development: Trump’s “America First Energy Plan” prioritizes fossil fuel development, including oil, coal, and natural gas, aiming for energy dominance through deregulation.
Reviving oil pipeline projects that communities rejected.
Opened protected areas for drilling: Trump administration finalized decisions to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and other federally protected lands and waters to drilling.
Declared a “national energy emergency” during his 2025 inauguration to justify further expansion of fossil fuel extraction and streamline the permitting process for new oil and gas projects.
Rolled back Clean Power Plan
Weakened vehicle emissions standards:
Targeted renewable energy: The second Trump administration has halted new offshore wind projects, even ones that were nearing completion, and limited tax credits for wind and solar projects as well as credits enabling homeowners to incorporate solar energy.
Reduced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority and budget, undermining its ability to enforce environmental regulations, while declaring it would not bother to regulate polluters.
Weakened the Clean Water Act: The administration repealed the 2015 Clean Water Rule, narrowing the scope of federal protection for wetlands and small streams and leaving more waterways vulnerable to pollution.
Scaled back national monuments: Trump dramatically reduced the size of several national monuments, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah, to open up land for resource extraction. In 2020, he opened the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing. In the second term, he has gone back to reverse Biden’s re-designations.
Loosened methane regulations: The EPA weakened rules that limited methane emissions from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands.
Targeted toxics and pollution standards: The administration rolled back standards for mercury and air toxics from power plants and loosened rules regulating coal ash disposal, and delayed or rescinded standards keeping “forever chemicals” out of drinking water.
Cut climate research funding including those at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and The National Weather Service, stopped satellite monitoring showing impacts of climate change, and cancelled reports that measure climate change.
Dismissed climate change: Trump and his administration frequently expressed skepticism about the scientific consensus on climate change and dismantled interagency groups designed to coordinate climate action and continues to call climate change a “hoax” and a “scam.”
Limited the “social cost of carbon”: An executive order disbanded the interagency working group that calculated the “social cost of carbon”—a metric used to quantify the economic damages from greenhouse gas emissions—and directed agencies to consider eliminating the calculation. Companies are discouraged from calculating the risk of climate change in their investments and public reporting.
Reduced public health protections: A 2018 analysis by Harvard researchers estimated that the environmental rollbacks could lead to thousands of extra deaths and millions of additional respiratory problems per decade due to increased pollution.
Meanwhile, a new study led by a Stony Brook University researcher projects that, due to climate change factors, there will be more wildfires in the coming decades, and their smoke could lead to tens of thousands of deaths by 2050.
Climate disasters have become more severe and more frequent and more costly even as Trump moves to shut down FEMA. The US spends $150 billion annually on climate-related disaster relief (as much as what Trump has allocated to militarize mass deportations), with recent years seeing even higher costs due to increased frequency of major events. The US experienced 27 billion-dollar disasters in 2024, totaling $182.7 billion – well above the 5-year average.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed rolling back carbon pollution standards for existing coal and new gas-fired power plants and dismantling standards that limit dangerous Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) pollution from coal plants. These rollbacks would worsen air quality, hurt public health, and exacerbate the climate crisis.
“Climate pollution is worsening health and living conditions for so many of our families nationwide, which is why people across party lines strongly oppose their repeal,” stated Climate Action Campaign Director Margie Alt. “The EPA was created to protect people, not polluters. Eliminating these vital air pollution and climate protections will make our families sick, poison the air, and make extreme weather triggered by the climate crisis more deadly and destructive. The EPA should honor its mission to protect our health and environment, not advance an agenda that puts polluters first.”
Thousands of Americans are now dying each year from heat stroke, with global warming setting new records for temperature year after year.
“Clean energy has lowered Americans’ bills, created hundreds of thousands of jobs, and helped fight climate change. But it’s bad for the fossil fuel industry’s bottom line, and Trump seems willing to stop at nothing to slow it down – including breaking the law his own party just passed.
Even as his administration works aggressively to harm the environment, unleash climate change rather than mitigate against it resulting in public health emergencies ranging from epidemics, to heat stroke, to asthma, to heart disease, trump is working to dismantle public health altogether.
A kind of catch-all for protest in what has become a rolling series of protests, other issues being voiced included democracy, rule of law, immigrant rights, human rights, Palestinian rights, ending war and conflict.
As CGI marks its 20th anniversary, the 2025 Annual Meeting has been reimagined to drive action on urgent global challenges, around the theme of “What’s Next”
Featured participants announced today include Noubar Afeyan, Founder and CEO, Flagship Pioneering; Co-Founder and Chairman, Moderna; Matt Damon, Co-Founder, Water.org and WaterEquity; Anthony Capuano, President and CEO, Marriott International; Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme; Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO and Founder, Chobani; Abigail Disney, Filmmaker, Writer, Philanthropist, and Activist; Ryan Gellert, CEO, Patagonia; Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador, Taiwan; Wendy Abrams, Co-Founder and CEO, Eleven Eleven Foundation; Donna Karan, Founder, Urban Zen Foundation; Katherine Maher, President and CEO, NPR; Neil Buddy Shah, CEO, Clinton Health Access Initiative; and more. Learn more about this year’s full program and participants at https://clintonglobal.org/2025
NEW YORK, NY — The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) announced more leaders from across business, government, philanthropy, and civil society, convening at the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting September 24-25, uniting around this year’s theme of “What’s Next.” These leaders are poised to take action to confront new and worsening challenges on climate, health, the economy, humanitarian response, democracy and human rights, truth and information, education, and innovative finance.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of CGI. Since 2005, more than 500 million people in more than 180 countries have had their lives improved by more than 4,000 Commitments to Action launched through CGI.
Last month, in a letter marking CGI’s 20th anniversary, President Clinton issued a stark call to action to the CGI community, outlining changes to this year’s meeting: “Given the scope of the challenges we face, this year’s CGI meeting will be different – by necessity. We need to redefine how we show up, how we work, and how we find ways to honor our common humanity.”Read President Clinton’s Call to Action here.
To tackle these challenges, the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting is bringing together leaders of major charitable foundations, nonprofits, businesses, governments, unions, and more to chart solutions. Featured participants announced today include:
Global advocates and activists including Stacey Abrams, Founder, American Pride Rises Network; Wendy Abrams, Co-Founder & CEO, Eleven Eleven Foundation; Vedika Bhandarkar, President and Chief Operating Officer, Water.org; Deepak Bhargava, President, Freedom Together Foundation; Matt Damon, Co-Founder, Water.org & WaterEquity; Abigail Disney, Filmmaker, Writer, Philanthropist, and Activist; Lindsay Ell, Artist, Songwriter, and Philanthropist; Dr. David C. Fajgenbaum, Co-Founder, Every Cure; Donna Karan, Founder, Urban Zen Foundation; and Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador, Taiwan;
Journalists and leaders across media including Errin Haines, Editor at Large, The 19th; Margaret Hoover, Host, Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, PBS; Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor, Financial Times; Raj Kumar, Founding President and Editor-in-Chief, Devex; Nishant Lalwani, CEO, International Fund for Public Interest Media; Katherine Maher, President and CEO, NPR; Alan Murray, Founding President, The Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute; Matthew Segal, Co-Founder, ATTN; Jessica Sibley, CEO, TIME; Vitus Spehar, Creator, Under The Desk News; and Michael Vito Valentino, Editor-in-Chief, NowThis;
Business leaders including Noubar Afeyan, Founder and CEO, Flagship Pioneering; Co-Founder and Chairman, Moderna; Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair, Tamkeen; Anthony Capuano, President and CEO, Marriott International; Michael Dowling, CEO, Northwell Health; Ryan Gellert, CEO, Patagonia; Lutz Hegemann, President Global Health, Novartis International AG; Joe Kiani, Founder and Executive Chairman, Willow Labs; and Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO and Founder, Chobani;
Philanthropic leaders including Tonya Allen, President, the McKnight Foundation; DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President and CEO, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Marla Blow, CEO, Skoll Foundation; Somachi Chris-Asoluka, CEO, The Tony Elumelu Foundation; Kellea Miller, Executive Director, Human Rights Funders Network; Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO, Acumen; Carmen Rojas, President and CEO, Marguerite Casey Foundation; John-Arne Røttingen, CEO, Wellcome Trust; and Mark Suzman, CEO and Board Member, Gates Foundation;
Civil society and NGO leaders including Manish Bapna, President and CEO, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Kathy Higgins, CEO, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation; Lisha McCormick, CEO, Last Mile Health; Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Kelley Robinson, President, Human Rights Campaign; Peter Sands, Executive Director, The Global Fund; Neil Buddy Shah, CEO, Clinton Health Access Initiative; and Janti Soeripto, President and CEO, Save the Children US;
Government and multi-lateral leaders including U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware; St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew; Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor, New Mexico; Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme; and more.
As part of President Clinton’s call to action last month, this year’s CGI Annual Meeting will be reimagined to promote collaboration through Working Groups – facilitated, action-focused sessions where leaders will collaborate with mission-aligned organizations to drive real solutions in the areas that matter most and are under the greatest threat. These Working Groups include cross-sector collaborations on Climate, Democracy and Human Rights, The Economy, Education, Health, Humanitarian Response, Innovative Finance, and Truth and Information.
Sponsors for the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting include AFT, All Hands & Hearts, Amalgamated Bank, APCO, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Bob and Jane Harrison, Cure, Doha Forum, Equity Group Holdings Plc, Flagship Pioneering, Former Congressman David Trone, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Integra Capital, Interenergy Group, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Kokoro, MEBO International, Northwell Health, Pfizer, Pinterest, Sino-European Manufacturing Club, Strauss Media Strategies, Inc., Tarsadia Foundation, The EKTA Foundation, The Nima Taghavi Foundation, The John D. Evans Foundation, The Kiani Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Ukraine Children’s Action Project, Varkey Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Postcode Lottery Group is serving as a partner for the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting. Devex and Grist are media partners for the CGI 2025 Annual Meeting.
To mark the Clinton Global Initiative’s 20th Anniversary, Social Goods — a purpose-driven small business — and the Clinton Foundation are partnering to unveil a new, limited-edition collection where every item sold supports Foundation programs that advance solutions on economic opportunity, climate, public health, gender equality, and more.
Previously announced participants include Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas; Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados; President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo; Nazanin Ash, CEO, Welcome.US; Suyen Barahona Cuan, Executive Director, Colmena Fund; Priscilla Sims Brown, President and CEO, Amalgamated Bank; Rolando Gonzalez Bunster, Chairman and CEO, InterEnergy Group; Brendan Carr, CEO, Mount Sinai Health System; Tim Cadogan, CEO, GoFundMe; John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc.; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Founder and Chair Emeritus, The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development; John King, Chancellor, State University of New York; Ann Lee, Co-Founder and CEO, Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE); Nancy Lindborg, President and CEO, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation; Lisha McCormick, CEO, Last Mile Health; Patricia McIlreavy, President and CEO, Center for Disaster Philanthropy; Denis Mukwege, President and Founder, Panzi Hospital; James Mwangi, Group CEO, Equity Group Holdings; Reema Nanavaty, Director, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA); Binaifer Nowrojee, President, Open Society Foundations; Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE USA; Daniel O’Day, Chairman and CEO, Gilead Sciences; Kennedy Odede. Co-Founder and CEO, Shining Hope for Communities; Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, President and CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Ai-jen Poo, President and Executive Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and Caring Across Generations; Bill Ready, CEO, Pinterest; Maria Ressa, Co-Founder and CEO, Rappler; Liz Shuler, President, AFL–CIO; Karlee Silver, CEO, Grand Challenges Canada; Charlotte Slente, Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council; Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation; Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers; and more.
The Wildlife Conservation Society is cheering the passage of the bipartisan U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and the WILD Act. Both were part of the National Defense Authorization Act headed to the president for his signature.
Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President for Public Affairs John F. Calvelli stated:
“It was a great bipartisan win for wildlife conservation in Washington this week,” stated Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President for Public Affairs John F. Calvelli said:
“Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have come together on groundbreaking legislation that will address ecological degradation that destabilizes and drives conflict around the world. Passed this week, the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and the WILD Act are important steps to save nature and promote ecological integrity which also advances U.S. economic and security interests across the globe. When U.S. programs provide support to developing countries that unlock private sector scalable financing for nature, it promotes security and stability.
“At WCS, we work with governments, hundreds of partners, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities to ensure nature remains intact and thrives for people and wildlife. Through our 125 plus years, WCS has helped countries and Indigenous Peoples establish and manage 245 parks and territories protecting nature, securing local economies and strengthening cultural identities.
“The US Foundation for International Conservation Act (USFICA) will create a public-private partnership to save wildlife and wild places around the world. What that means is government funds will leverage private support, making those public dollars go much farther. And those monies would go directly to protected areas and parks around the world to help set up their management structures to provide resources on the ground. We thank the members—who led efforts on the Hill to secure passage of USFICA—including Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.); and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY).
“We also thank our many partners and the thousands who expressed support for the legislation through a WCS campaign. It is estimated that USFICA will help generate $2 billion over ten years to support protected areas and communities. USFICA will incentivize philanthropic giving to match government funds which provide long-term, predictable funding for core protected area management programs such as management costs, leadership skill training, and development of tourism strategies. The legislation will ensure natures strongholds provide economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits both locally and globally. Well-managed protected areas provide employment, health and education services to a significant number of households in the local communities and support initiatives that value the lifeways of Indigenous Peoples. As the largest global conservation organization working on the ground in more than 50 countries, we know first-hand the power that public-private partnerships play in supporting people and nature.
“The WILD Act reauthorizes the Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF), which supports the global priority species, such as tigers, rhinos, African and Asian elephants, great apes, turtles, and tortoises—all which are facing constant danger from poaching, habitat loss and degradation, conflicts with human populations, and other serious threats. In addition, funding from the MSCF provides front-line protection against zoonotic disease by supporting projects that prevent or reverse the conditions that lead to pathogen spillover events. We thank Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI); and Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for their leadership behind reauthorization of this legislation. Through the years, MSCF programs have helped to sustain and recover wildlife populations by combating poaching and trafficking, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and protecting essential habitat—all while promoting U.S. interests across the globe. These programs efficiently use taxpayer dollars, granting them an outsized impact because they consistently leverage two to four times as much in matching funds from organizations like WCS, foreign governments, local NGOs, and private foundations.
“Saving nature and advancing conservation measures have long been a bipartisan effort in our country. Passage of the WILD Act and USFICA ensures the U.S. will continue to be a leader in global efforts to advance natural security for people and wildlife.”
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) combines the power of its zoos and an aquarium in New York City and a Global Conservation Program in more than 50 countries to achieve its mission to save wildlife and wild places. WCS runs the world’s largest conservation field program, protecting more than 50 percent of Earth’s known biodiversity; in partnership with governments, Indigenous People, Local Communities, and the private sector. It’s four zoos and aquarium (the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium ) welcome more than 3.5 million visitors each year, inspiring generations to care for nature
American Climate Corps Has Already Put 15,000 Young Americans to Work as Part of Its Inaugural Cohort
Environmental Protection Agency and AmeriCorps Announce a New Environmental Justice Climate Corps; the Department of Housing and Urban Development Joins the Interagency American Climate Corps Initiative
During Climate Week, the Biden-Harris administration announced progress on its American Climate Corps. This fact sheet was provided by the White House:
Since taking office, President Biden has delivered on the most ambitious climate, clean energy, conservation, and environmental justice agenda in history – signing into law the largest investment in climate action ever, protecting more than 42 million acres of public lands and waters, creating good-paying clean energy jobs, and establishing the Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
As part of his historic commitment to tackle the climate crisis, President Biden launched the American Climate Corps (ACC) to mobilize the next generation of clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience workers, with a goal to put 20,000 young people to work in the clean energy and climate resilience economy in the initiative’s first year. Today, in celebration of Climate Week, the White House is announcing that more than 15,000 young Americans have been put to work in high-quality, good-paying clean energy and climate resilience workforce training and service opportunities through the American Climate Corps – putting the program on track to reach President Biden’s goal of 20,000 members in the program’s first year ahead of schedule.
Across the country, American Climate Corps members are working on projects to tackle the climate crisis, including restoring coastal ecosystems, strengthening urban and rural agriculture, investing in clean energy and energy efficiency, improving disaster and wildfire preparedness, and more. The American Climate Corps is giving a diverse new generation of young people the tools to fight the impacts of climate change today and the skills to join the clean energy and climate-resilience workforce of tomorrow.
The Biden-Harris Administration is making several additional announcements:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and AmeriCorps are Announcing a New Environmental Justice Climate Corps, which will put more than 250 American Climate Corps members to work over the next three years providing technical assistance to community-based organizations in environmental justice communities – helping them access resources to carry out locally driven projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, improve public health and safety, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. Environmental Justice Climate Corps members will be paid a living allowance and reimbursed for selected living expenses. In total, this allowance is equivalent to receiving more than $25 per hour throughout their year of service. They will also obtain the benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA service—including the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which is valued at $7,395 in FY24, and streamlined pathways into certain federal jobs—and gain mentorship and professional development opportunities. Applications for the Environmental Justice Climate Corps will open in early 2025, with a goal for its first cohort to start later that year. The partnership with EPA is AmeriCorps’ largest environmental partnership in the agency’s history and will build on the success of three other partnerships announced under the American Climate Corps: AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps, Working Lands Climate Corps and Energy Communities AmeriCorps, which together will support more than 500 new ACC positions over the coming years.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is Joining the ACC Interagency Initiative. Joining the seven initial signatories of the December 2023 ACC Memorandum of Understanding, today HUD will become the eighth federal agency member of the ACC Interagency Initiative. This step brings the ACC to the communities HUD serves, building upon the Department’s commitment to using low- and zero-carbon energy and supporting communities to increase their resilience, advance environmental justice, and create good jobs for residents.
The American Climate Corps is Fostering Federal-State Partnerships by establishing a partnership with state service commissions, which support national service in states across the country, to grow the number of state climate corps and strengthen existing state climate corps programs. Together, the American Climate Corps, state-level climate corps programs, and state national service leadership are committed to strengthening state climate corps, supporting impactful program implementation, and leveraging state and local partnerships to scale climate corps efforts across the country. To date, 14 states have launched their own state-based climate corps programs, including New Jersey who just today announced the creation of the New Jersey Climate Corps.
American Climate Corps Will Host a Virtual Job Fair. The American Climate Corps is working to ensure that its members have a pathway to good-paying jobs following their terms of service, which is why later this year, ACC will host a virtual job fair for current and past members to learn about high-quality career opportunities in the clean energy and climate resilience economy. The virtual job fair will bring together the private sector, labor unions, and the public sector, including Federal agencies, to showcase career pathways available to ACC members.
Today’s announcements build on a year of successful program implementation, including:
Launch of the American Climate Corps Tour. This fall, to showcase ACC members’ important work across the nation, the American Climate Corps and senior Biden-Harris Administration officials is embarking on a national tour and visiting ten locations to highlight ACC members’ impact in communities across the country. The tour is making stops at a range of ACC project sites and featuring remarks by representatives of the Biden-Harris Administration and other Federal, state, and local elected officials. Visits include ACC member swearing-in ceremonies, service projects, and roundtables with ACC members.
Creation of the American Climate Corps Storytellers Project. Inspired by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project, the ACC launched the Storytellers Project, engaging artists and storytellers to capture the impact of President Biden’s American Climate Corps. The ACC Storytellers Project solicited applications from artists across the country. Ten accomplished storytellers were selected to document the impact of the American Climate Corps in communities across the country through photographs, videos, and other visual art mediums.
During Climate Week, which coincides with the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, where climate has become a major issue in recent years, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a number of new initiatives including new investments to protect freshwater resources and enhance drought and climate resilience. This fact sheet is provided by the White House:
Our nation’s lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands are fundamental to the health, prosperity, and resilience of our communities and are held sacred by many Tribal Nations. They are not only the sources of clean drinking water that flows into the taps of our homes, but are also economic drivers supporting jobs and outdoor recreation across the nation. By absorbing and storing carbon, our nation’s waterways and wetlands – and the forests, grasslands, and farmlands they nourish – also play a critical role in the fight against climate change.
Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to secure clean water for all communities, protect our vital freshwater resources, and mitigate the impacts of drought. Given that communities often acutely experience the climate crisis through water-related impacts – from floods and droughts to polluted drinking sources and waterways – this Administration is making historic investments through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to protect, conserve, and restore our freshwater basins and ecosystems.
Meanwhile, many Republicans in Congress continue to deny the very existence of climate change and remain committed to repealing the President’s Inflation Reduction Act – the biggest climate protection bill ever – which would undermine the health, safety, and economic vitality of their own constituents.
During Climate Week, the Biden-Harris administration is announcing new funding and whole-of-government initiatives that build upon its ambitious freshwater agenda and help restore and conserve our freshwater resources and address climate impacts felt across the nation:
Investing in Long-Term Colorado River Basin Resilience: The Biden-Harris Administration is leading a comprehensive effort to make Western communities more resilient to climate change and address the ongoing megadrought across the region, including the Colorado River Basin, by harnessing the full resources of President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda. The Administration’s investments in the Lower Colorado River Basin bridge the immediate need for water conservation while moving toward improved system efficiency and more durable long-term solutions. Overall, the funding for long-term water conservation initiatives in the Lower Basin is expected to save more than 1 million acre-feet of water, putting the Basin on a path to a more resilient and sustainable water future.
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation is announcing the execution of the first three contracts for long-term water conservation under the Lower Colorado Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program. Totaling approximately $107 million, taken together these first three projects – all with the Gila River Indian Community in the Lower Colorado River Basin of Arizona – will provide over 73,000 acre-feet of water conservation to support the sustainability of Lake Mead while also helping ensure long-term water resilience for the Community. The Bureau of Reclamation is also working on the companion program for the Upper Basin, which will provide additional water savings for the Basin’s long-term sustainability.
The Bureau of Reclamation is working with the following sponsors in the Lower Colorado Basin to negotiate water conservation contracts for ten additional proposed projects, including:
City of Phoenix
City of Tucson
Coachella Valley Water District
Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association & Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District
San Diego County Water Authority
Southern Nevada Water Authority
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Town of Gilbert
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation is also signing agreements with the Imperial Irrigation District and the Bard Water District in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District in California to ensure the conservation of up to 717,100 acre-feet of water by 2026. This water will remain in Lake Mead in an effort to benefit the Colorado River System and its users.
Investing in Indian Country: The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation has announced historic Tribal water infrastructure investments totaling over $1.2 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, Reclamation Water Settlement funding, and annual appropriations. This includes a new investment of $9.4 million for Tribal drought relief and technical assistance projects that will restore wetlands, improve irrigation efficiency, and support groundwater monitoring.
Reconnecting Waterways and Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems: With over $3 billion in funding for ecosystem restoration and fish passage projects, the Investing in America agenda is helping secure cleaner rivers, safer communities, greater recreational opportunities, and improved fish and wildlife habitat, driving change across the landscape for people, communities, species, and ecosystems.
The Administration is announcing a suite of 10 transformational fish passage projects that to date have received over $150 million from eight Federal agencies. When completed, these fish passage and aquatic connectivity projects – located in communities from Maine to Ohio to California – will reconnect nearly 5,000 miles of rivers and streams across the United States. Reconnecting waterways allows natural functions to be restored in freshwater systems, improving their climate resilience and water quality, and therefore their ability to protect communities from catastrophic floods, droughts, catastrophic wildfire, and water pollution. Improving fish passage and reconnecting aquatic systems is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species, while building safer infrastructure for communities and improving climate resilience. To date, the Administration has spent over $970 million on more than 600 fish passage projects in 45 states across the country.
The Department of the Interior today is announcing an additional $92 million in new resources from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program to help restore important salmon and other native fish habitat across the West. These projects, when complete, will provide increased water quality, floodplain stability, and drought resiliency.
Collaborating with Stakeholders to Protect Freshwater Systems: At a Climate Week NYC event focused on the Global Freshwater Challenge, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory announced a doubling of new partners in the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge – a nationwide initiative to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of our nation’s rivers and streams by 2030. Over 100 members from across the country initially signed on to support freshwater restoration in their communities. That number has now more than doubled to over 211, including 14 states, 16 Tribal entities, 27 local governments, and 79 private sector members.
These announcements build on recent actions that deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water, including providing approximately $1 billion in funding to bring safe, clean water to Tribal communities; finalizing the first-ever standard to protect communities from toxic “forever chemicals,” along with rulemakings to hold polluters responsible for PFAS cleanup and to enhance safeguards against dangerous chemical spills in our nation’s waters; and continuing to deliver on President Biden’s goal to replace every lead pipe in America in the next decade. The Department of the Interior has invested more than $6.95 billion to fund over 831 Western water projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act; the Environmental Protection Agency has leveraged more than $9 billion in the last two years alone to communities across the West; and other agencies from the Department of Agriculture to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue to make investments that increase water availability, reduce water use, and enhance resilience.
