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Politics & Government

Abinanti Applauds EPA for Rejecting Most of Clean Water Loan for New Tappan Zee Bridge

Assemblyman Abinanti applauded the Environmental Protection Agency for its decision to reject most of the $511 million clean water loan

Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its decision to reject most of the proposed $511 million loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (the Clean Water Fund) to the New York State Thruway Authority to pay for its Tappan Zee Construction Project.

“I applaud the EPA for rendering a common-sense interpretation of the law,” said Abinanti, who represents the Tarrytown side of the bridge. “The winners here are the environment and municipalities that need these funds to keep their water clean.”

In a statement issued in July, Assemblyman Abinanti opposed the loan arguing that the State should be maximizing clean water projects, not diminishing the number of projects by diverting monies from the Clean Water Fund.

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He also argued that it is inappropriate to use monies intended to remedy existing damage to the Hudson River to pay for activities that will further damage the river.

“The cost of preventing or mitigating harm to the environment should be included in the actual cost of bridge construction,” said Abinanti. “The State should not be hiding the true cost of the project in an environmental fund that is dedicated for other projects.”

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