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Greenpoint Environmental Benefit Projects Program
The State of New York is collaborating with the residents of Greenpoint, Brooklyn in investing $19,500,000, obtained by the State of New York in a settlement with ExxonMobil, in "Environmental Benefit Projects" (EBPs) in the community. These EBPs will be designed to provide significant environmental improvements in Greenpoint and address environmental areas of concern for the community, such as water quality, groundwater, open space, reduction of toxic pollution, and air quality.
Please check back often for the latest developments and accomplishments.
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Background
In 2011, a federal court approved a legal settlement between the State of New York and ExxonMobil that committed the company to perform a comprehensive cleanup of its oil and related environmental contamination at its Greenpoint, Brooklyn facility and in the surrounding community. In addition, the settlement required ExxonMobil to pay approximately $25,000,000 in penalties, costs and local improvements.
This amount included a payment of $19,500,000 for "Environmental Benefit Projects" ("EBPs") to benefit the environment in Greenpoint. According to the settlement, the Greenpoint EBPs are to be designed to secure significant environmental improvements and address environmental areas of concern in the community, such as water quality, groundwater, open space, reduction of toxic pollution, and air quality.
More Information on the Office of Attorney General’s ExxonMobil Settlement
Greenpoint EBPs Framework
In collaboration with the Greenpoint community, the New York State Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Environmental Conservation are jointly overseeing the implementation of the Greenpoint EBPs.
The geographic boundary for the Greenpoint EBPs Program includes that area bounded by the 11222 zip code and the entirety of McCarren Park.
The EBPs process will be conducted in three phases:
- Phase 1 -- The first phase of the Greenpoint EBPs process will involve consulting with the Greenpoint community to identify possible projects to be funded and criteria for selecting an administrator for the EBPs.
- Phase 2 -- Guided by the community consultation in Phase 1, the second phase will involve the State's selection of the EBPs administrator who will then oversee the solicitation, review and recommendation of specific projects to receive funding.
- Phase 3 -- The third and final phase will involve the final selection by the State of projects to receive EBP funding and their implementation in Greenpoint.
There will be opportunities throughout these three phases for the Greenpoint community to help guide the EBP process -- including an opportunity to review and express preferences for projects to be funded. /u>
Community Collaboration
The State is committed to working closely with the Greenpoint community to ensure $19,500,000 in funding supports projects that best serve the community’s environment. This includes engaging the community at the very beginning of the EBPs process and giving the community a direct role in guiding this process.
The State has already taken several steps to ensure an effective collaboration with the Greenpoint community including:
- Contracting with Enviro-Sciences Engineering/ARC Engineering & Construction, P.C. ("ESE") to serve as an independent community outreach consultant to the State, and assist the State to effectively engage the community.
- Establishing an advisory group comprised of members of the Greenpoint community -- called the "Community Advisory Panel" (CAP) -- to provide advice to the State and ESE on implementing an effective community collaboration process.
Greenpoint Community Meeting #1
On March 21, 2012, the State, the State's community outreach consultant, and the Greenpoint Community Advisory Panel joined with roughly 170 members of the Greenpoint community to discuss the Greenpoint Environmental Benefit Projects (EBPs) process, the community's ideas for possible EBPs and preferences for criteria to be used in picking a General Administrator to manage the process of soliciting, selecting, and implementing EBPs.
At the meeting, community members generated well over 100 different ideas for specific projects or project types to receive funding as EBPs. These project ideas will be used as a guide in selecting a General Administrator with related expertise, and in developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) that attracts project proposals addressing as many community ideas for improving Greenpoint's environment as possible.
Community members also developed a list of preferences for criteria to be used in selecting a General Administrator for the EBP process.
If you have you additional ideas for possible Greenpoint Environmental Benefits Projects or criteria to be used in selecting a General Administrator -- or would like to share any other input on this process -- please contact Laura Truettner at 646-872-4157 or ltruettner@aol.com.
Greenpoint EBPs Factsheets
Selection of General Administrator
On July 6, the State issued the below Request for Application (RFA) for the General Administrator (GA) for the Greenpoint Environmental Benefit Projects Program.
RFA - Greenpoint Program Package
The General Administrator will oversee the administration of the $19.5 million program to fund projects to secure environmental improvements in Greenpoint. The scope of the GA's work will include:
- Grant Program Management (i.e., proposal solicitation, development and evaluation, and project implementation);
- Fiscal/Fiduciary Management;
- Community Engagement/Collaboration; and
- Program Tracking, Recordkeeping and Reporting.
More detailed information on the GA position -- as well as directions for not-for-profit entities interested in applying for the position -- are provided in the RFA.
Note: Applications for the General Administrator position must be received by the State on or before August 22, 2012, 4:00 PM.
State responses to questions asked at the July 25, 2012 Pre-Application Conference
Pre-Application Conference Q&A (8/13/12 Revision)
Example State contract
Updated list of community project ideas now available.
Preliminary List of Community Project Ideas, 6/29/12 Update
Contacts
If you have questions or comments about the Greenpoint EBP, please contact Laura Truettner of ESE at 646-872-4157 or ltruettner@aol.com.
State contacts are Peter Washburn, Office of the New York State Attorney General (peter.washburn@ag.ny.gov) and Michelle Moore, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us>) .
