HIGHLAND - The New York State Bridge Authority, which operates the five Mid-Hudson bridges, has begun to use environmentally sound and safe cleaning products.

The state Comptroller’s office recently conducted an audit of the agency and found it was not following state executive order which requires all state agencies and some public authorities to procure and use cleaning products that minimize the potential impacts to human health and the environment.  It also requires the agencies to conduct an assessment of their programs to promote environmentally safe cleaning and transition to certain conforming products within specified time periods.  

Auditors found the authority was not aware of the Order when we initiated our audit and, therefore, was not in compliance.  No assessment was conducted and the authority was, generally, not using environmentally preferred products.            

“Once the comptroller brought this matter to our attention, we immediately brought the Bridge Authority into full compliance,” said spokesman John Bellucci.