air quality

Trump's Second Term Threatens Environmental Progress

Trump's Second Term Threatens Environmental Progress

Concerns rise as Lee Zeldin leads EPA with pro-fossil fuel agenda

Donald Trump’s recent appointments for key environmental positions during his second term as president are causing quite the stir among environmentalists and policy experts. The names spotlighted, particularly former Congressman Lee Zeldin, have raised concerns about the potential rollback of regulations aimed at protecting the environment. Zeldin has been nominated to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and many local activists have expressed skepticism about his commitment to environmental issues.

EPA nominee Lee Zeldin has backed environmental causes, but not all are convinced

EPA nominee Lee Zeldin has backed environmental causes, but not all are convinced

WASHINGTON — Six years ago, more than 300 Long Islanders showed up on short notice during a nor’easter for a Friday afternoon hearing in Brookhaven to tell Trump administration officials they opposed plans to allow drilling for oil in the Atlantic Ocean.

Lee Zeldin's appointment as EPA head brings a mixed reaction from Long Island environmental leaders

Lee Zeldin's appointment as EPA head brings a mixed reaction from Long Island environmental leaders

LONG ISLAND -- Leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties say they're hopeful that former Congressman Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for head of the Environmental Protection Agency, will in fact protect the environment.

Many have worked with him for years.

Brookhaven landfill fire may be a result of recent drought and high temperatures

Brookhaven landfill fire may be a result of recent drought and high temperatures

It's been cited for violations by the state in the past.

The more than 270-foot Brookhaven landfill caught fire Wednesday, and it could be in part because of the weather.

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Algal blooms, oxygen-depleted zones affected Long Island waters in 2024, report says

Last summer, dozens of Long Island’s ponds, lakes, bays and estuaries were affected by oxygen-depleted zones and harmful algal blooms, researchers from Stony Brook University found, which were triggered by excessive levels of nitrogen and exacerbated by record-high temperatures.

Energy company wants green light for battery storage facility on site next to Phillips Avenue Elementary School

Energy company wants green light for battery storage facility on site next to Phillips Avenue Elementary School

An energy company seeking an exemption from Southampton Town’s moratorium on battery energy storage facility applications faced scrutiny by Town Board members and strong opposition from the Riverhead Central School District Board of Education during a hearing on its exemption application last night at Southampton Town Hall.

Up Close & Personal with the South Fork Wind Farm

Up Close & Personal with the South Fork Wind Farm

It was just below 70 degrees, with a light breeze, the sun shining bright, and mild seas – perfect sailing weather.

Passengers on this excursion drove almost to the end of Sound Avenue early on a Wednesday morning – a rare trip if you don’t live or work on the North Fork – and saw the village of Greenport wake up. It was far from the Manhattan-level autumn traffic on the North Fork or the bustling party town that is Greenport in the summer.

Residents express concerns over potential casino at Nassau Hub at hearing

Residents express concerns over potential casino at Nassau Hub at hearing

A hearing over what would be a key step in bringing a potential casino and resort to Nassau County brought dozens of people to the county's legislative chamber Monday. 

The purpose of the hearing is to hear from people in the community about what they would like to see in an environmental study of the Nassau Hub.

Governor Hochul Announces New Large-Scale Renewable Energy Solicitation to Deliver Clean Electricity Across the State

Governor Hochul Announces New Large-Scale Renewable Energy Solicitation to Deliver Clean Electricity Across the State

Final Proposals for Large-Scale Land-Based Renewable Energy Projects Due in August 2024

Supports Progress Toward Achieving New York’s Climate Act Goal to Obtain 70 Percent of its Electricity from Renewable Sources by 2030

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new large-scale renewable energy solicitation to deliver clean electricity to New Yorkers. Building on New York’s 10-Point Action Plan, this solicitation seeks proposals for the development of new large-scale land-based renewable energy projects which are expected to spur billions of dollars in clean energy investments and create thousands of family-sustaining jobs in the State’s green economy. Today’s announcement supports progress toward achieving the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to obtain 70 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Two Agreements Announced On Underutilized Sites for Renewable Energy Development

Two Agreements Announced On Underutilized Sites for Renewable Energy Development

Memorandums of Understanding Will Allow State to Explore Feasibility of Hosting Build-Ready Renewable Energy Projects on Underutilized Sites in the Southern Tier and Western New York

Sound Bites: CT needs faster adoption of EVs, state watchdog says

Sound Bites: CT needs faster adoption of EVs, state watchdog says

Connecticut has made progress to protect its land, water and air over the last decade — but struggles to control greenhouse gas emissions that worsen climate change, according to the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. A report from the state watchdog blames the transportation sector for the emissions increase last year. The Council recommends a faster adoption of electric vehicles, less fuel consumption, and more use of public transit. 

Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Start of Construction on Transformation of South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Into Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Hub

Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Start of Construction on Transformation of South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Into Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Hub

City’s First Offshore Wind Transmission Connection and Port at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to Become Staging Hub for Empire Wind 1 Project, Which Will Deliver 810 Megawatts of Renewable Electricity to New York

Expected to Create More Than 1,000 Construction Jobs at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal

Advances Progress Toward State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035

Brookhaven to receive $1M to end lawsuit filed over ash dumped at town landfill

Brookhaven to receive $1M to end lawsuit filed over ash dumped at town landfill

Waste incinerator Covanta would pay Brookhaven $1 million to settle a whistleblower’s lawsuit alleging the company trucked hazardous ash to the town landfill, a proposed deal the whistleblower blasted as “paltry” and community advocates called “shortsighted.”

Governor Hochul Announces the Finalization of New Contracts for Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind

Governor Hochul Announces the Finalization of New Contracts for Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind

Once in Operation in 2026, Offshore Wind Projects Will Be the Largest Power Generation Projects in New York State in Over 35 Years

Supports Progress Towards Achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal for 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the finalization of new contracts for Empire Wind 1, a planned 810-megawatt project (developed by Equinor), and Sunrise Wind, a planned 924-megawatt project (developed by Ørsted and Eversource) as the result of New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. The two offshore wind projects, totaling over 1,700 megawatts, will produce enough clean energy to power over one million New York homes and will be the largest power generation projects in New York State in over 35 years once they enter operation in 2026. Today’s announcement is part of New York’s 10-Point Action Plan to support the growing large-scale renewable energy industry, and represents progress toward the achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

ALBANY, NY (May 15, 2024) — Today state legislators and advocates called for the immediate passage of a set of bills to reduce human exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and limit environmental contamination from PFAS in New York, including:

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556C/S5648C),

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), 

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic products in menstrual products (A5990/S3529), 

  • and a bill to require testing for the presence of PFAS released into waterways (A3296A/S227B). 

Governor Hochul Announces Steps Forward to Support New York’s Clean Energy Industry

Governor Hochul Announces Steps Forward to Support New York’s Clean Energy Industry

Next Phase of the State’s Supply Chain Activities Released in the Form of $200 Million Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics RFP

Request for Information Also Announced to Inform Fifth Offshore Wind Solicitation and $300 Million Major Component Supply Chain RFP

Steps Support Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced definitive steps in support of the growing clean energy industry in New York and the State’s 10-Point Action Plan. As part of the next phase of the State’s $500 million commitment to offshore wind supply chain activities, a $200 million Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics Request for Proposals is now open to support investments in infrastructure and manufacturing to grow the domestic offshore wind supply chain in New York. In addition, a Request for Information (RFI) will be issued to inform the development of New York’s fifth offshore wind project solicitation (NY5) and design of a coordinated $300 million RFP focusing on major component offshore wind supply chain investments. Today’s announcements support continued progress toward achieving New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

Three Agreements Announced for Potential Renewable Energy Development

Three Agreements Announced for Potential Renewable Energy Development

Memorandums of Understanding Will Allow State to Explore Feasibility of Hosting Build-Ready Renewable Energy Projects on Underutilized Sites in the Southern Tier, Western NY, and Long Island

A year later, plans unsettled for the closure of Brookhaven Landfill

A year later, plans unsettled for the closure of Brookhaven Landfill

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine at an environmental symposium on Wednesday, March 13 at Stony Brook University.

This year marks the beginning of the end for Brookhaven Landfill.

That is what spurred discussion among industry groups and environmental advocates at an environmental symposium on Wednesday, March 13 at Stony Brook University, seeking answers for the future of waste disposal on Long Island.

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of South Fork Wind, First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in the United States

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of South Fork Wind, First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in the United States

All 12 Turbines Powered Up and Will Deliver Electricity Across Long Island and the Rockaways

Represents Progress Toward State’s Climate Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Energy By 2035

Governor Kathy Hochul today, alongside the United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and other elected officials, announced the completion of the landmark South Fork Wind project, with all 12 offshore wind turbines constructed and the wind farm successfully delivering power to Long Island and the Rockaways. Today marks a historic milestone as New York becomes home to America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm.

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