The Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act of 2022 has been placed on the statewide ballot this election cycle.

If passed, the act would provide $4.2 billion for the purpose of mitigating climate change, reducing flood risks, water infrastructure and land conservation efforts, according to the New York State Senate. Former New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo originally proposed this in his State of the State Address on Jan. 2020 as the “Restore Mother Nature Bond Act,” but it was withdrawn due to financial concerns amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was put on the ballot again in April of 2021, with current New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul requesting that the act be raised to its current amount and given a new title.

This is what the $4.2 billion in general bonds will go toward if the act is passed this election, according to Ballotpedia:

• $1.5 billion will be put into air and water pollution reduction efforts, which involves constructing “green building projects,” like solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps in lower-income areas. It could also provide funding for zero-emission school buses and urban forest programs like parks, street trees, gardens and nature preserves.
• $1.1 billion towards flood risk reduction, meaning funds will be dedicated toward building and repairing flood-preventing structures, as well as coastal and shoreline restoration projects.
• $650 million for wastewater, sewage and septic systems. This could be used to help address water infrastructure needs, such as reducing stormwater runoff or harmful algae growth.
• $650 million of bonds for land conservation efforts and environmental recreation programs.

Voters will have the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” for this bond act on this election’s ballot. Supporters of this act include [New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul], Environmental Advocates of New York and the New York League of Conservation Voters. Those opposed to this act include the New York State Conservative Party, including Gerard Kassar, chairman of the party, according to Ballotpedia.

New York State will utilize all funds put toward these environmental efforts by funding initiatives like design, planning, site acquisition, demolition, construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation projects, according to their website.

The Department of Environmental Conservation was also asked to take into consideration “disadvantaged communities” when deciding where this possible funding would go. This means considering socioeconomic factors that would make some communities more prone to detrimental environmental effects like storms, flooding and pollution than others.

If the act is passed, the $4.2 billion will create an increase in the state’s debts. New York state explained what that means on their website.

“The creation of state debt in an amount not exceeding in the aggregate four billion two hundred million dollars is hereby authorized to provide money for the single purpose of making environmental improvements that preserve, enhance, and restore New York’s natural resources and reduce the impact of climate change by funding capital projects,” the website reads.

For more information, visit New York state’s website.