Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State lays out a robust environmental agenda that focuses on affordability, clean water, climate resiliency, inclusivity and justice, and safety. The $3.75 billion five-year transformational water quality investment and the continuation of the record $425 million in the Environmental Protection Fund provides crucial resources to upgrade infrastructure, protect drinking water and open space, promote environmental justice, and reduce costly climate impacts. 

In addition, new and enhanced initiatives launched by the Governor will protect our communities by improving DEC’s understanding and management of flood risks, preventing flooding through resiliency and emergency response investments, creating cooler school playgrounds to protect students and neighborhoods from extreme heat, increasing access to nature and environmental education for children with disabilities, and preventing emerging contaminants and fossil fuels from jeopardizing water quality and community well-being. Looking forward to achieving our state’s goals for affordable housing, critical infrastructure improvements, and other projects that will benefit communities and avoid environmental impacts, the Governor included sweeping and commonsense reforms to modernize the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

These are just a few of the paths forward towards making our state healthier, and more affordable, for a brighter future for all New Yorkers.