NY State Will Recieve Federal Stimulus Money to Handle Petroleum Spills
The Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) has announced that New York State will receive over $10 million in federal stimulus money. The money has been allotted for the cleanup of petroleum spills, and the reduction of diesel emissions.
The state has an estimated 2,443 underground gas storage storage tanks believed to be leaking petroleum into the ground water. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation 2,037 petroleum related spills, (including above ground incidents,) were reported last year in Nassau and Suffolk counties alone.
Most of the money, $9.23 million will be for assessment and cleanup of the leaking tanks.
This will indeed be money well spent. Leaking underground petroleum tanks release dangerous carcinogens such as benzene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, (MTBE), into ground water, which supplies drinking water. This puts unknowing water consumers at risk of serious health problems.
"Clean Diesel" Would Benefit Many
An additional $1.73 million will go to "clean diesel" projects. According to the EPA such projects will create jobs, reduce premature deaths from exposure to chemicals, reduce asthma attacks and other pollution related health problems.
