A first-of-its-kind plan could help treat wastewater on Fire Island.
Sound Bites: Study finds Fire Island has poor wastewater treatment options
Good morning. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment presented findings from a study of Fire Island’s wastewater challenges to the Suffolk County Legislature this week. They say the island only has one small sewage treatment plant, forcing most residents to use septic or cesspool systems. This single plant and other aging systems contribute to harmful algal blooms, and loss of fisheries in the surrounding waterways.
Experts focus on North Shore, South Shore sea level rise at nextLI town hall
Experts in local government, the insurance industry, the environment and marine science explored how sea level rise could affect South Shore and North Shore communities during a nextLI Town Hall that airs Tuesday on NewsdayTV.
Two Agreements Announced On Underutilized Sites for Renewable Energy Development
Horseshoe crab protections pass in Albany, await governor’s signature
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.
Hochul heads to the Vatican
THE POPE AND HOCHUL: Gov. Kathy Hochul will be jetting away to Rome this week for a climate conference hosted by Pope Francis.
She’ll be giving a 15-minute talk, titled “Climate Leadership in the Empire State: Building Resiliency for All,” at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Vatican City time.
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
Affordability makes its move in Albany
Daily Point
Fear stalks pols over cost-of-living burden
Election-year political fears of making any move that could hit New York taxpayers in the wallet proved decisive in crushing several big policy initiatives, as Albany’s annual legislative session ground to a quirky close on Saturday.
One surprise was the unexpected eleventh-hour death of a bill aimed at requiring large companies to decrease their millions of annual tons of packaging waste, known as the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. It passed the Senate, 37-23, along party lines but the Assembly adjourned before bringing it to a floor vote.
Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature
Fear stalks pols over cost-of-living burden
Brookhaven to receive $1M to end lawsuit filed over ash dumped at town landfill
Glick Bill Banning Taking Horseshoe Crabs Passes Assembly
Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District Manhattan, announced today the passage of her legislation A.10140 to prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs from the waters of New York.
Under this bill, no horseshoe crab may be taken in the state, including for commercial or biomedical purposes – unless the taking is for a bona fide educational or research purpose as approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner.
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.
Suffolk takes step toward sales tax hike to fund sewers
HAMPTON BAYS CLEANUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPLEXITY OF PFAS REMEDIATION
As communities across the country decide how they will remove perfluorinated compounds from drinking water and contaminated soils, a cleanup surrounding the Hampton Bays Fire Department headquarters on Montauk Highway highlights the complex layers of bureaucracy underlying the removal of so-called “forever chemicals.”
Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote
An amendment to the law that allows Suffolk County to increase its sales tax rate by 1/8 of a cent to finance the installation of sewer and advanced septic systems was signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The governor’s signature on the amendment, negotiated by state and county lawmakers, sets the stage for the county to put a referendum on ballot in this year’s general election seeking voter approval of the sales tax increase.
New York State considers stronger horseshoe crab protections
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Protect Public Health, Improve Water Quality in Suffolk County
Legislation S.8473/A.8993 Amends the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act
Advances Ballot Referendum to Fund Long Term Investments in Clean Water for Suffolk County
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to protect public health and improve water quality. Legislation S.8473/A.8993 will allow Suffolk County to put forward a ballot referendum that would fund long term investments in clean water systems and technology – revitalizing wastewater infrastructure for the residents of Suffolk County.
