Environmental Advocates NY is urging state lawmakers to boost funding for environmental protection, clean water and climate initiatives as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed executive budget.
Katherine Nadeau, deputy executive director of policy and programs for the organization, testified Wednesday during a joint legislative public hearing on the state budget.
In her remarks, Nadeau pointed to federal rollbacks and funding reductions as lawmakers work to finalize the state budget.
“The Governor and Legislature are working to balance a budget while the federal government rolls back protections and pulls longstanding funding commitments out from under New York,” Nadeau said. “In this context, budget choices matter deeply — not in the abstract, but in how we protect the water New Yorkers drink, the air we breathe, and the resilience of our communities.”
Environmental Advocates NY is calling for a new $1 billion investment in the Sustainable Future Program, the state’s climate response and preparedness fund. The group says the first round of funding would support building and vehicle electrification and decarbonization efforts, generating an estimated $1.5 billion in economic output, 7,400 jobs and $685 million in labor income statewide.
They are also seeking at least $700 million in funding for Clean Water Infrastructure Act projects, citing continued failures in drinking water and sewer systems across the state.
Environmental Advocates NY urged caution as lawmakers consider proposed changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA. While acknowledging the need for more affordable housing, the group said environmental protections should not be weakened in the process.
“We need to show our unequivocal commitment to an affordable, safe, and resilient future by making responsible investments this year in environmental protection and renewable energy,” Nadeau said. “The right investments will deliver results quickly, reduce energy bills, strengthen infrastructure, improve air quality, and create lasting benefits across the state.”
The organization’s full written budget testimony and 2026 action agenda are available on its website.
