ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program would be reformed and extended for 10 years and $4 million would be added to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal.
Environmental groups have criticized the brownfield program, which provides tax credits to developers who clean and build on contaminated sites. The majority of the tax breaks have gone to developers in New York City and Westchester County.
Cuomo says in his budget proposal Tuesday that new criteria will weed out abuse and direct money to needy sites across the state.
The Environmental Protection Fund would grow from the current $153 million to $157 million under Cuomo’s plan. The fund pays for projects that reduce pollution, preserve open space and improve parks.
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