This Earth Day, NYSAC Calls for State Action on County Environmental Priorities in Final Budget

In recognition of Earth Day, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) is urging state leaders to advance key environmental priorities in the final state budget.

Earlier this year, county leaders from across the state adopted a series of environmental policy resolutions at NYSAC’s 2026 Legislative Conference, calling for stronger state-local partnership and targeted investments to address pressing environmental challenges.

“Counties are on the front lines of environmental protection—from maintaining water infrastructure to helping residents reduce energy costs and modernizing local fleets,” said Stephen J. Acquario, NYSAC Executive Director. “This Earth Day, we are calling on state leaders to deliver a final budget that gives counties the tools they need to meet these responsibilities.”

Key County Priorities in the State Budget

• Expand support for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) programs. Counties are advocating for removing restrictive rebate caps and increasing funding so local governments can more effectively transition fleets and build out charging infrastructure tailored to community needs.
  
  
• Invest in water infrastructure to support housing and resilience. NYSAC supports the state’s proposed multi-year clean water investments and is calling for counties to be fully eligible for funding, particularly for projects that unlock housing development, modernize aging systems, and address emerging environmental challenges.
  
  
• Restore funding for energy efficiency and safety programs. Counties are calling on the state to reverse proposed changes that would significantly reduce funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which helps low-income households lower energy costs, improve home safety, and reduce long-term reliance on energy subsidies.

“These are practical, cost-effective solutions that deliver long-term benefits,” said Acquario. “Investments in weatherization reduce future energy demand, modern fleets lower operating costs and emissions, and water infrastructure is essential to both public health and economic growth.”

Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Packaging Waste

Beyond the state budget, counties are also calling for systemic reforms to reduce waste and protect taxpayers.

New York’s 25 municipal landfills are nearing the end of their useful life, with only 16 to 25 years of remaining capacity statewide. A major driver of this challenge is packaging waste—materials that counties are required to manage and dispose of, despite having no control over how they are produced or designed.

To address this growing burden, NYSAC is urging passage of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464 Harckham / A.1749 Glick).

The legislation would shift the cost of packaging waste management from taxpayers to producers, incentivize more sustainable packaging design, and reduce waste sent to landfills.

“Counties cannot continue to absorb the rising costs of a system they do not control,” said Acquario. “This legislation ensures that producers take responsibility, while delivering environmental benefits and real relief for local taxpayers.”

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Media Contact: Mark LaVigne| mlavigne@nysac.org | 518-465-1473 x206