Highlights and Happenings: December 2024

 

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Highlights

Gearing Up to Turn off the Tap to PFAS in NYS in 2025!
In recent years, communities across NY and the nation have discovered their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. These toxic chemicals are unnecessarily added to many of the products we use every day, such as cookware, cleaning products, dental floss, children’s products and more. Due to widespread use, PFAS chemicals have been polluting our drinking water, soil, air, and even our bodies. To protect public health, drinking water, and the environment, NY needs to pass legislation in 2025 to ban PFAS from a number of everyday products. Take action today and urge your elected representatives to support passage of this critical legislation in 2025! 


Important Bills to Fight Climate Change Signed into Law at the End of 2024 in NY! 
While it’s been years since we worked to successfully ban hydro-fracking (which uses water to extract gas) due to its inherent threats to our climate, water, and health; a company recently attempted to exploit a loophole by offering leases to residents in the Southern Tier to extract gas by instead injecting CO2 into shale formations (which poses similar threats to our environment as hydro-fracking). To close this loophole a bill was signed to prohibit the process of fracking using CO2 in NY. Additionally, the Climate Superfund Act, which will require fossil fuel corporations, rather than taxpayers, to pay for the cost of damage caused by climate change and to make NY more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Once implemented, this “polluter pays” law is expected to generate $3 billion per year for NYS.


Happenings

Governor Vetoes Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill 
Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Sadly, the species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations are being depleted, and one contributing factor is the commercial fishermen who catch them and chop them up for use as bait. Horseshoe crabs are an essential species in the food web. In order to save the horseshoe crab, and the species that depend upon them, the New York State Legislature passed a bill to ban harvesting of horseshoe crabs. Unfortunately, Governor Hochul vetoed the bill in December, leaving horseshoe crabs on the chopping block and at risk of further population loss. Thanks to the thousands of you who sent emails and made calls in support of the bill. We will keep fighting to save the horseshoe crab! 

Protecting New York’s Water in 2025 
Much of New York’s wastewater and drinking water infrastructure is aging and failing, putting public health and our environment at risk. New York State has made significant investments to upgrade water infrastructure in recent years; however, much more needs to be done to provide clean water for all New Yorkers. To make drinking water safe and affordable for all New Yorkers, protect our environment, and create jobs, we are urging Governor Hochul and the legislature to provide at least $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the 2025-2026 NYS budget! Email Governor Hochul and your elected representatives today!


Updates on Our Work to Advance Offshore Wind 

  • Fighting for Battery Energy Storage - As part of NY’s transition to renewable energy, especially offshore wind, we will need to use battery energy storage systems (BESS). BESS systems store energy from renewable energy sources and deliver it when electricity demand is greatest, helping to create a more reliable grid. In December, we urged Town of Babylon to not extend their moratorium on battery storage and to move forward with zoning changes that will allow good BESS projects to move forward. Unfortunately, Babylon passed a moratorium extension. Several other Long Island towns have moratoriums or extensions to existing moratoriums up for vote in the coming months, so stayed tuned for more info on how you can help support BESS. We also joined Jupiter Power for a public meeting on their proposed 275-megawatt battery energy storage system in Glenwood Landing, New York. 

  • Upcoming: Battery Storage Educational Forum - The Town of Brookhaven will be hosting a free community meeting on January 21, 2025, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Shea Theater at Suffolk County Community College. There will be a panel of experts to discuss how battery energy storage systems work and address safety concerns. You can register and submit questions in advance here. 

Celebrating the South Shore Estuary Reserve Awards 
The South Shore Estuary Reserve is a unique network of 173 square miles of bays along Long Island’s south shore. In December, we joined the South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Office to host the 2024 SSER Stewardship Award Breakfast. Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate our progress in protecting the South Shore Estuary Reserve and learn what is needed for the future. Congratulations to our 2024 SSER Stewardship Awardees: Village of Patchogue, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, and Tom Wilson from Stony Brook University. 


Saying No to Sandmining Southampton 
Sand mining operations have threatened Long Island’s sole source aquifer and public health for decades. Last month, Southampton Town held a public hearing on the Proposed Amortization of Nonconforming Sand Mines, which would allow the town to prevent these sand mining operations that have contaminated drinking water for decades. We testified in support of finally closing down these harmful mines. You can check out our testimony here.