sustainability

Rain garden at Huntington Beach helps divert pollutants from stormwater

Rain garden at Huntington Beach helps divert pollutants from stormwater

A rain garden designed to keep Huntington Harbor free of pollutants from stormwater runoff has been installed at a known flooding area near Gold Star Battalion Beach.

Ørsted proposes “Long Island Wind” project to deliver more clean offshore energy, investment and jobs for New Yorkers

Ørsted proposes “Long Island Wind” project to deliver more clean offshore energy, investment and jobs for New Yorkers

New York’s offshore wind leader, Ørsted, announced today that it has submitted a finalized proposal for its Long Island Wind project, which would power up to 1 million New York homes with renewable energy while further strengthening Ørsted’s Northeast Hub. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has become a national offshore wind leader, and the Long Island Wind project would deliver major new investments to New York’s workforce and offshore wind supply chain.

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

For years, conservationists have warned that too much drinkable water is being extracted from the aquifer — a critical repository deep below Long Island — but there wasn't a lot of recent data to define the extent of the problem.

That was until an eight-year study released in August found the aquifer is "under stress," leading to saltwater intrusion, draining of some groundwater-fed streams and abandonment of degraded public wells. The authors of the study, a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, note some of these problems date back decades and have been exacerbated by climate change. 

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Environmental Facilities Corporation's Financial Assistance is Making Projects Affordable for New Yorkers, Safeguarding Drinking Water, and Improving Water Quality in Support of Nation-Leading Clean Water Goals

EFC Investments Highlighted in the Corporation’s Annual Program Metrics Report

New Project Impact Dashboard Enables the Public to Track Project Investments Statewide

Protecting aquifers, Long Island’s only source of drinking water

Protecting aquifers, Long Island’s only source of drinking water

More than 100 billion gallons of water will be used for lawn maintenance alone across Long Island this summer — enough to fill 150,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools — and the cost shows up in more than just your water bill.

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

ALBANY — The State Legislature has agreed to a deal that would require large companies in New York to significantly decrease millions of tons of packaging waste each year, including plastic packs of food, cans, detergent bottles and single-use cups and cardboard.

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.

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.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW YORK STATE’S LARGEST SOLAR CARPORT AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM AT JFK AIRPORT

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW YORK STATE’S LARGEST SOLAR CARPORT AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM AT JFK AIRPORT

Parking Lot Canopy with Solar Panels and Accompanying Battery Storage System Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Approximately 6,000 Metric Tons Annually

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

Attorney General James Sues World’s Largest Beef Producer for Misrepresenting Environmental Impact of Their Products

Attorney General James Sues World’s Largest Beef Producer for Misrepresenting Environmental Impact of Their Products

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against JBS USA Food Company and JBS USA Food Company Holdings (JBS USA), the American subsidiary of the world’s largest producer of beef products, for misleading the public about its environmental impact. JBS USA has claimed that it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite documented plans to increase production, and therefore increase its carbon footprint.

Officials Mark Completion Of Milestone South Fork Wind Project

Officials Mark Completion Of Milestone South Fork Wind Project

"There are very few moments in time that we can see positive change for our future and this is one of them."

MONTAUK, NY — It was a milestone day in Montauk Thursday as Governor Kathy Hochul today, alongside other elected officials, announced the completion of the South Fork Wind project, with all 12 offshore wind turbines constructed and the wind farm successfully delivering power to Long Island and the Rockaways.

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.

NY Governor Hochul Announces Two Offshore Wind Project Awards

NY Governor Hochul Announces Two Offshore Wind Project Awards

Empire Wind I and Sunrise Wind Will Foster More Than 800 Near-term, Family-Sustaining Jobs

  • $2 Billion in Near-Term Economic Development Investments, Including Support to Disadvantaged Communities

  • Awarded Projects Totaling Over 1,700 Megawatts of Clean Energy – The Largest Power Generating Projects in New York State in Over 35 Years

  • Enables the Construction of One of the Largest Dedicated Offshore Wind Port Facilities in the United States at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal

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

New York attorney general sues world's largest beef producer over greenhouse gas emissions

New York attorney general sues world's largest beef producer over greenhouse gas emissions

According to Letitia James, JBS USA's promise to try to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 is just a marketing strategy.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against JBS USA, the world's leading beef producer, accusing the company of misleading the public about its impact on the environment.

Long Island Unites in Albany: A Robust Call for State Investment and Support

Long Island Unites in Albany: A Robust Call for State Investment and Support

Explore the 16th annual Long Island Lobby Day, where a diverse coalition united to advocate for vital funding in transportation, infrastructure, and more. Discover how communities came together to secure investments for a sustainable future.

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

ALBANY, New York, January 30, 2024 (ENS) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law first-in-the-nation legislation to protect birds and bees from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides used on outdoor ornamental plants and turfs, and the seeds of corn, soybeans and wheat. This law is the first in the United States to limit neonicotinoid coating on seeds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES DESCEND:

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES DESCEND:

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES DESCEND: Environmental groups held a forum on cleaning up fuels in the transportation sector, pushed back on Hochul’s proposed cut for water infrastructure funding and advocated for lawmakers to include a Superfund-style program targeting fossil fuel companies.

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

To help safeguard pollinators, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

Signed into law last week, the legislation prohibits the use of specific neonicotinoid pesticide-treated corn, soybean and wheat seeds and neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor ornamental plants and turfs. The ban goes into effect in 2027, according to published reports.

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $479 million in grants for critical water infrastructure projects, including the first funding awarded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which was passed by voters after Hochul pushed to increase the total amount by $1 billion upon taking office.