SUNY Cortland to host CNY Environmental Bond Act event

06/05/2023 

SUNY Cortland will host an educational listening event to help answer Central New Yorkers’ questions about project funding through the state’s $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.

The event, featuring experts from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and others, will run from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, in the Corey Union Function Room. It is free and will give members of the public and potential funding applicants in the region an opportunity to learn more about the Bond Act and the eligibility guidelines being developed to identify potential projects.

The Central New York stop at Cortland is one of 10 tour events announced last week by Governor Kathy Hochul. Officials will provide a presentation on the Bond Act, its commitment to provide at least 35 percent of the funding benefits to disadvantaged communities, the significant jobs it can help create, and other topics. Attendees can then visit tables where experts can help answer individual questions.

To attend the free session, simply register online at www.ny.gov/BondAct.

Overwhelmingly approved by voters last fall, the Bond Act prioritizes investments in environmental justice, climate change mitigation, shoreline restoration, flood resilience, water quality, open space conservation, recreational resources and green jobs.

“The Environmental Bond Act is a tremendous opportunity for New York to continue its role as a leader on fighting climate change and improving our communities,” SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum said. “I think it’s fitting that this meeting is happening on our campus because SUNY Cortland is committed to being one of the greenest campuses in the nation.

“We are the Red Dragons, but we’re proud to be green.”

Some examples of SUNY Cortland’s commitment to a sustainable future:

• Cortland was the first SUNY campus to use 100 percent renewable energy for our electricity needs.
• We were the first in SUNY to build a residence hall to LEED platinum standards.
• We were the first to achieve a gold rating in sustainability assessment from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
• We offer academic programs including conservation biology and outdoor recreation that produce graduates who will go on to work in green careers.
• The Sierra Club’s magazine has ranked Cortland among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation for sustainability for six consecutive years.

More information on SUNY Cortland’s environmental efforts is available through the Sustainability Office website.