On Sept. 16, the Environmental Protection Agency rejected Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $511 million dollar loan proposal for the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, instead approving only $29 million. The Tappan Zee is the longest bridge in New York state and crosses over the widest part of the Hudson River, connecting Rockland County and Westchester County.

This was the appropriate the decision. Cuomo and his administration had hoped to take money out of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a federal fund the EPA oversees established to upgrade municipal sewage treatment plants, according to a Sept.16 Times Union article.

Instead of raiding this fund to benefit a conveniently timed, spectacular rebuilding of an iconic New York bridge, Cuomo and the State of New York should instead utilize the set aside money for its original intent. However, this outlook does not look promising, or at least not immediate, as Cuomo has made it clear that he plans to appeal the EPA’s decision.

A Sept. 27 article from the Poughkeepsie Journal explained how the bridge’s funding is going to depend heavily on increased tolls. With the EPA’s loan now almost entirely off the table, these toll prices are going to increase even more. New York state citizens may be frustrated with the EPA for this reason, saying that the rejected loan is placing a higher burden on the commuters and taxpayers. This would be missing the bigger picture.

A Sept. 23 article from The Post Standard explained why taxpayers should not be hung up on the decision but rather question why the state has not already been taking advantage of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. New York state’s sewage treatment systems will require an estimated $36 billion in maintenance and upgrades over the next 20 years.

A recent Sept. 27 article from the Poughkeepsie Journal regarding a new law further strengthened the case that the EPA was correct in revoking its funds. The law signed Sept. 22 requires New York state agencies to consider the future likelihood of extreme weather situations when making decisions on public works projects. Severe weather examples included rising sea levels, increased flooding and worsening storms.

“The new reality of extreme weather has had painful consequences for New Yorkers in virtually every region of the state,” Cuomo said in reference to the new law.

You would think that this law coupled with public statement from Cuomo would surely mean that taking $511 million dollars from a federal fund meant for environmental restoration for rebuilding a bridge would be a bad idea. But Cuomo and his administration don’t seem to think so.

This appeal on an already sound EPA decision is a frivolous waste of time and will assuredly not be approved.

The EPA was correct in rejecting Cuomo’s loan for the Tappan Zee, as the Clean Water Revolving Fund is a valuable resource and should not be wasted on a project outside the original scope for the fund.

Azor Cole is a junior public relations major and geography minor. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at azcole@syr.edu.

Published on October 1, 2014 at 12:23 am