New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo (D), in his State of the State Message Pledged $33 Billion toward Environmental Initiatives, with $3 Billion of it by Raising the State Debt Level via a New "Mother Nature" Bond Passed in a Public Referendum in November 2019.
The Bond could help Pay for Initiatives such as: Restoring Wetlands from Long Island to the Great Lakes, Fighting Algal Blooms, and Combating Climate Change through Green Energy.
The Plans include: Restoring up to 10,000 Acres of Wetlands, Repairing Dams, and Alleviating the Overused Foot Trails in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.
Many Proposals outlined by the Governor, such as Increased Wind and Solar Power and a Ban on Single-use Plastics like Styrofoam, had been already Announced.
If the Bond is Approved by Voters, it would Fuel Efforts to meet Targets set forth by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Law, Signed last summer, Mandates that Greenhouse Gases be Cut by 85% from 1990 Levels by 2050. There have been Serious Questions about Reaching that Goal given the State’s Heavy Reliance on Nuclear, Gas, or Oil-Powered Electricity.
Other Goals include more Electric Vehicles and Upping Recycling Efforts. The Governor is also Calling for Recycling Used Mattresses and Carpets.
Besides Enlarging the State's Investment in Renewable Energy, the Governor Pledged to Overhaul the way the State's Overseers engage with New Solar and Wind Projects. Cuomo wants his Administration to Identify Sites for Green Power Development and Build the Grid Infrastructure before Contracting with Private Developers.
But this recalls his Past Economic Development Initiatives which saw the State Create Assets, ranging from Solar Panel Plants to Movie Studios, and Invited Companies to use them. These Projects have Underperformed Economically, and were the Source of Corruption Scandals his Last Term.
This New Adventure will Require much more Oversite then last time.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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