Funds also Included for New York Industrial Retention Network and New School’s Green Building
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, today hailed the passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. That measure includes $8.5 million for the Coney Island Area Shore Protection Project, $500,000 for the New York Industrial Retention Network and $2 million for the New School’s Green Building. The spending bill must still be reconciled with the Senate before heading to the President for his signature.

"These projects are about protecting and preserving our precious natural resources," said Rep. Nadler. "I am proud to be a long term advocate for the protection of Coney Island beaches – we need a permanent solution to this long term problem in Sea Gate, and these funds will help make that a reality. The efforts of the New York Industrial Retention Network and the New School’s Green Building will also serve to protect our environment."

The Coney Island Area Shore Protection Project is a continuation of previous beach restoration project that was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 to protect the shoreline for the Sea Gate Beach in Coney Island, New York. The Army Corps of Engineers will use this funding to begin constructing "T-Groins," or rock jetties, along the beaches of Sea Gate. This preservation effort would benefit the approximately 250,000 residents of Coney Island and the millions of annual visitors.

Funding for the New York Industrial Retention Network will be used to create renewable energy solutions specific to New York City as part of its RenewableNY project. That endeavor aims to reduce the demand on the electrical grid by 15 megawatts, the equivalent of the average energy use of 15,000 New York City apartments. Because businesses would save on energy costs, this would lead to the retention of up to 7,000 jobs. RenewableNY aims to accomplish these goals by upgrading manufacturing operations -- especially those in minority areas, installing solar panels, providing energy auditing services, and offering case management services. The pilot programs will be conducted in North Brooklyn.

The New School University’s funds will help construct a "green" building, housing state-of-the-art classrooms, concert and theatre space, and laboratories in the heart of Greenwich Village. The building will serve as the University’s energy and environmental research center, and will prove the feasibility of environmentally friendly construction and the benefits associated with energy efficiency.