I want to note the first week of February 2024 as a monumental period in the environmental history of Suffolk County. Two significant efforts took the spotlight and demonstrated a commitment toward protecting our precious natural resources.
The first was a bipartisan gathering of elected officials, along with Long Island’s environmental, business, and labor leaders, to restate our support of green energy and to urge Gov. Hochul to keep the Sunrise Wind project on track. This $700 million effort will provide massive benefits to our region. It will bring clean, renewable energy for more than 600,000 homes, hundreds of jobs, and millions of dollars in training and operational programs.
As hosts of the underground cable to transmit the wind energy to the mainland, Brookhaven Town and Suffolk County will receive significant funding. Brookhaven has already received $1 million from the project, and, according to Supervisor Dan Panico, the money was put toward the spectacular Patriot’s Preserve Park in Shirley. A total of $130 million will flow to the town over the 25-year lifespan of the Sunrise Wind turbines. This funding will be utilized for volunteer emergency services, parks, and other local concerns. The county is also slated for $40 million in hosting fees.
I am also proud to be part of a plan to generate much-needed funds to build environmentally critical sewer systems in Suffolk and fund private cesspool upgrades to keep our water clean. Hats off to county Executive Ed Romaine, the legislature’s presiding officer, Kevin McCaffrey, and Minority Leader Jason Richberg for sealing the deal that is supported by all stakeholders across the board. We are sending a bipartisan Home Rule Message to Albany to win approval to put the plan to a public vote. I want to extend my appreciation to Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Monica Martinez for sponsoring the measure.
Suffolk voters have overwhelmingly supported environmental initiatives in the past, and we are hopeful that they will rise to the challenge once again. Raising the sales tax an eighth of a penny is a worthy investment in our environmental future. We are fortunate here on the South Shore to be the beneficiaries of the $224 million Forge River Watershed Sewer Project. New funding will allow us to continue service into the Mastic Peninsula and beyond.
As a coastal community, not only do we rely on clean water for drinking and recreation, but also our businesses, such as fishing, farming, aquaculture, waterside restaurants, marinas, and the economy as a whole. Cleaner water in our bays, creeks, and rivers is not only critical for our environment but also to create a more economically viable county, particularly when it comes to the thousands of tourists who spend much of their vacation dollars here each year.
As County Executive Romaine stated, “We stand on the drinking water that is below our feet.” We must do everything possible to protect it so future generations can enjoy the Long Island they deserve, just as we have.