Scientists have documented a global decline in honey bee populations since 2005. Take action and email elected leaders in support of a ban on dangerous pesticides.
Announcing CCE’s 2021 Connecticut Environmental Champions
Celebrate CT’s elected officials that have led the way in protecting our environment and public health!
CCE is excited to announce our 2021 Connecticut Environmental Champions! We take pride in recognizing legislators who have demonstrated a real commitment to protecting our precious natural resources and our health. This year, we are proud to announce four legislative champions who have led the fight for clean air, clean water and environmental justice in Connecticut:
State Senator Christine Cohen (12th Senate Dist.) is the Senate Chair of the Environment Committee and the lead advocate for progressive environmental policy in the Senate. She led the fight on several important victories in Connecticut in 2021, including modernizing the CT Bottle Bill, restricting toxic PFAS in food packaging, and passing critical updates to CCE’s signature “Sewage Overflow Right-to-Know” law.
State Senator Matthew Lesser (9th Senate Dist.) is a long-time supporter of strong environmental protections and has helped advance multiple CCE priorities, including a bill to ban toxic fracking waste coming into Connecticut. In 2021, Sen. Lesser spearheaded the effort to pass first-in-the-nation legislation to combat climate change by divesting Connecticut’s insurance accounts from firms that insure the fossil fuel industry. This makes Connecticut a national leader in efforts to reduce climate emissions, discourage investment in dirty fossil fuels and promote clean energy technology.
State Representative Brandon McGee (5th House Dist.) is a lifelong community advocate, fighting for the rights of low- and moderate-income families across Connecticut. He understands the intersection of environmental justice issues and health inequities that impact our most vulnerable populations. In 2021, he facilitated community conversations on important environmental justice issues, was an outspoken supporter of the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), and he established an Equity Commission to study the impacts of racism on public health.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (136th House Dist.) is the House Chair of the Public Health Committee. Rep. Steinberg has been a strong supporter of Connecticut’s environment through the years, having led the fight to pass a comprehensive State Water Plan for Connecticut in 2019. As chair of Public Health, Rep. Steinberg was the first to introduce legislation restricting toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in food packaging and prohibiting the use of PFAS-treated firefighting foams that contaminate our water and threaten our health.
Protecting our environment is a full-time job. These legislators have proven themselves to be steadfast advocates for their communities and our shared environment. CCE applauds these lawmakers for their efforts to safeguard our state’s air and water resources, address health inequities, and promote good environmental policy in Connecticut.
These legislators are true leaders in our state, and we are proud to present them with our 2021 Connecticut Environmental Champion Award!
Thank you for taking a moment to recognize our champions. Together, we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Connecticut Needs a Cleaner, More Equitable Transportation System
Tell lawmakers in Hartford to cut transportation emissions that harm our health and contribute to climate change!
The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent in Connecticut and across the globe. Climate change is increasing the severity of hurricanes, drought, heat-related deaths and illnesses, and causing rising sea levels that inundate our coastal communities. Without immediate action, climate change will cause devastating effects on Connecticut’s infrastructure, economy, public health, and way of life.
The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Connecticut, accounting for roughly 38% of GHG emissions generated in our state. We cannot address the climate crisis without cutting pollution from the transportation sector!
Transportation Emissions Threaten Public Health in CT:
CT ranks as the 10th worst state for smog, which can cause premature death, aggravated asthma, and increased respiratory symptoms.
CT’s asthma rate is worse than the national average: 11% of children and 10.5% of adults have asthma in CT.
Rising temperatures due to climate change are exacerbating these health risks, by increasing smog and prolonging dangerous air conditions.
Tailpipe emissions led to an estimated 367 premature deaths in CT in one year.
CT Must Take Action to Slash Emissions from the Transportation Sector
Under the proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P), CT would cap carbon pollution from transportation fuels and invest in our communities to provide better, cleaner, and safer transportation options. In less than a decade, TCI-P will guarantee at least a 26% reduction in carbon emissions from transportation. The TCI-P would also require oil companies to pay for the pollution their products cause, which will allow for needed investments in a clean transportation and public health improvements. A minimum of 50% of revenue will be invested in communities that are overburdened by air pollution or underserved by the transportation system. Projects that the TCI program include, but are not limited to:
✔︎ Improving/expanding public transit in urban, suburban, and rural areas
✔︎ Converting school and transit buses and diesel truck fleets to cleaner electric models
✔︎ Promoting safer, more bike-friendly and walkable communities
✔︎ Providing rebates to make electric vehicles more affordable
✔︎ Expanding EV charging infrastructure
✔︎ Expanding local air quality monitoring
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE
Ensure your right to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment
Don’t forget to flip over your ballot and vote YES on proposition 2!
Election Day is November 2, with early voting starting on October 23
New Yorkers have the historic opportunity to establish the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment in the Bill of Rights of the New York State Constitution. It depends on you, and we need your help this election!
This election season (election day is November 2, and early voting in New York State begins on October 23), voters across New York State will have the opportunity to vote YES on proposition 2. Proposition 2, which will be found on the back of your ballot, simply states: “Each person shall have the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.”
Why do we need a constitutional right to clean air and water?
Tragically, millions of New Yorkers are currently exposed to toxic chemicals in air and water, and it is making us sick. Every year, air and water pollution contribute to 6,000 premature deaths in New York, as well as elevated rates of asthma, heart disease, cancers, and other harmful health effects. Across the state, we are facing the loss of critical habitats and natural resources while polluters continue to harm the health of our communities, particularly low-income communities and communities of color. Now is our opportunity to fight back and ensure that every decision our government makes, from passing legislation to issuing a business a permit, would not violate any resident’s right to breathe clean air and drink clean water.
Voting YES on environmental rights will create legal safeguards to secure clean air and water for all New Yorkers—regardless of your zip code, race, or income—for generations to come. To learn more about the campaign and pledge to vote YES for clean water and air, visit https://www.ourairourwaterny.org/.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Join Us for a National Symposium on 1,4-Dioxane this Friday
Find out from the experts what is being done to combat this emerging contaminant in our nation’s drinking water. Now FREE to CCE Members.
The Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists is hosting a Virtual Environmental Symposium on 1,4-Dioxane to discuss how hidden carcinogen 1,4-dioxane ends up in drinking water and what is being done around the country to protect our water resources and public health. New York was the first state to ban 1,4-dioxane in products and now has a state drinking water standard, but there is still no national policy to reduce 1,4-dioxane contamination and wells across the country have tested positive for this dangerous chemical. 1,4-Dioxane is found in 80% of personal care products, including shampoos, bath gels, dish soap, laundry detergent, and even baby products. To hear the cutting-edge science on the emerging contaminant and learn from experts on-the-ground how we can fight back to protect our water, join us this Friday.
The event is normally $100 but is now FREE to CCE’s supporters. Click here to register with your email and use the code AEGCCE for a free ticket.
When: Friday, October 22, 2021 from 1:00-5:00pm
Schedule:
1:00-1:50pm - Joan Smyth - Keynote: 1,4 Dioxane – In Consumer Products, Landfill Leachate and Surface Water
2:00-2:25pm - Kyla Bennett - Just Because It’s Legal Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe: The Case of 1,4-Dioxane
2:30-2:55pm - Adrienne Esposito - Long Island Citizens React to Nation’s Highest Level of Dioxane in Drinking Water Wells
3:00-3:15pm - Break
3:15-3:40pm - Gary Smith - 1,4-Dioxane in Groundwater: Emerging Contaminant Concerns
3:45-4:10pm - Gary Smith - 1,4-Dioxane Remediation in Groundwater: A Worldwide Remediation Technology Survey
4:15-4:40pm - Arjun Venkatesan - Innovative and Alternative Treatment Technologies to Mitigate 1,4-Dioxane Contamination in the Long Island, New York Water Cycle
4:45-5:00pm - Discussion
Thank you for joining us. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Join us: Virtual forum on forever chemicals
Attend a virtual forum on October 19th to learn more
You are invited to attend a 1-hour virtual forum about how toxic PFAS chemicals affect our health and contaminate our water. Learn about the most current science from a panel of leading experts, and find out what Connecticut is doing to protect our water from these toxic chemicals!
PFAS (sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistence in soil and water) can be found in a variety of non-stick and water-resistant products including some food packaging, textiles, and certain firefighting foams. PFAS chemicals can build up in the human body and contribute to a range of adverse health impacts.
Attend our virtual event on Tuesday, October 19, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. Guest speakers include CT State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg and Kyla Bennett, Director of Science at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The program will conclude with a Q&A panel with our featured guests. We want to hear from you!
Virtual Community Forum:
When: Tuesday, October 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Zoom Meetings (Click here to register today)
This event is being cosponsored by Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Clean Water Action.
Thank you for joining us. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Lunch and Learn: Join us to learn about the Clean Path NY project, which was recently selected by New York State
NY Coutinues to Invest in Renewable Energy!
Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the New York League of Conservation Voters for an informational presentation on Clean Path NY. Along with Hydro-Québec, this project was recently selected by New York State to provide substantial supplemental renewable energy to the downstate grid. Clean Path NY will build a 1,300 MW transmission line that will bring renewable energy from upstate NY to downstate NY. The project would be able to deliver more than 7.9 million megawatt-hours of emissions-free energy every year. The transmission line will be entirely underground and will create approximately 2,000 MW of new on-shore wind power and 1,800 MW of new solar power. Join CCE, NYLCV, the New York Power Authority, and experts from developers EnergyRE and Invenergy to learn more about this project and the benefits of bringing upstate wind and solar power to downstate.
New York has advanced the most ambitious climate law in the country with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which requires us to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon-free electricity by 2040. One major obstacle our state faces is that there is a “tale of two grids,” with upstate New York using 88% zero-emission hydropower resources but only representing 1/3 of the state’s energy load, while downstate still relies primarily on fossil fuels while consuming 2/3 of the state’s total energy.
Advancing offshore wind, solar, and energy storage downstate is critical, but we will also need to bring additional renewable energy into the New York City energy mix if we are going to reach our CLCPA goals. Join us to find out more about how transporting upstate wind and solar power to downstate can help us combat climate change and transition from polluting fossil fuel peaker plants to renewable energy in our communities.
Topic: Clean Path New York
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Where: Zoom - click here to register today! After registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate.
Speakers:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Julie Tighe, President, NY League of Conservation Voters
New York Power Authority
Invenergy, LLC
EnergyRE, LLC
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Fight Climate Change: Support Offshore Wind in New York!
Join us for a virtual meeting on the Sunrise Wind Farm—to be located at least 30 miles off Montauk, Long Island—and speak up in support of offshore wind!
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently kicked off the scoping process for the Sunrise Wind Farm, which was selected by New York State in 2019. This is one of five offshore wind farms that were selected by New York State—each of which will go through a thorough environmental review and have opportunity for public input. The Sunrise Wind Farm will be located at least 30 miles off the coast of Montauk, Long Island, and will power over half a million homes while providing green jobs for New Yorkers.
The scoping meetings are an opportunity for the public to find out more about the project, speak out on the importance of offshore wind, and weigh in on the upcoming environmental review process for Sunrise Wind. Learn more about this project and register for a virtual public meeting on Sunrise Wind here.
Sunrise Wind Scoping Virtual Meetings
Thursday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE
Protect Our Drinking Water
New York Must Test Drinking Water for Dangerous Emerging Contaminants!
In recent years, high profile incidents of drinking water contamination in New York communities have highlighted the critical need to improve drinking water protection. Emerging contaminants have polluted drinking water supplies in communities across New York State, often at levels above federal health guidelines. Unfortunately, due to a lack of testing, residents have been left in the dark when dangerous chemicals are lurking in their drinking water. Every New Yorker deserves the right to know if there are dangerous emerging contaminants in their drinking water!
New York State Must Act to Protect our Drinking Water!
New York has made strides in identifying and setting strong drinking water standards for a limited number of emerging contaminants (i.e. PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane) but little has been done to address the ever-growing number of new emerging contaminants that threaten public health in communities across the state.
To address the growing threat of emerging contaminants in drinking water, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation (A.126A/S.1759A) to significantly expand drinking water testing. The legislation would:
Expand testing of our drinking water for more contaminants by establishing the state’s first list of emerging contaminants and require that every drinking water system test for these contaminants. This bill lists a minimum of 40 emerging contaminants that all New York public water systems must test for in drinking water. The list includes chemicals known to occur in some NY water systems, as well as new and emerging threats, including many PFAS chemicals (e.g. GenX). The NYS Department of Health would also be required to update the list at least every three years to ensure that all communities are testing for the most up-to-date list of emerging contaminants.
Close the loophole for smaller water systems. Smaller water systems, which serve less than 10,000 residents, would have to test for emerging contaminants. This would help protect the drinking water for an additional 2.5 million New Yorkers.
Background Information
New Emerging Contaminants Pose a Threat to Drinking Water and Public Health
Industries regularly replace toxic chemicals they use for a newer “safer alternative.” Unfortunately, the alternatives are often just as toxic as the chemicals they replace. This has been the case with a chemical known as GenX, which was used to replace a different PFAS chemical, and has now been found polluting water resources in other parts of the country. New York State must stay ahead of the curve and ensure that all water systems in the state are testing the most up-to-date list of emerging contaminants. Expanded testing is needed to protect public health.
Federal Loophole Leaves Smaller Communities at Risk
Regrettably, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act does not require smaller water systems, serving less than 10,000 residents, to test for many emerging contaminants. This federal loophole puts New Yorker’s health at risk—there are approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers served by smaller water systems that do not test for many emerging contaminants, such as chromium-6, a known carcinogen.
This problem was exemplified in December of 2020, when elevated levels of the contaminant known as PFNA were detected in the small public water supply system for the Village of Mayville, NY. PFNA is a member of the class of chemicals known as PFAS, which have been linked to immune disorders, cancer, and other adverse health impacts. As result, the Department of Health issued a “Do Not Drink” advisory and pallets of bottled water were distributed to residents.
Prior to discovering the contamination, Mayville residents were unaware that they were regularly being exposed to a dangerous contaminant every time they turned on the faucet. PFNA could have been detected and treated for much earlier if all New York water systems were required to test for certain emerging contaminants. Across New York, there are millions of residents who are being served by water systems that do not test for emerging contaminants. All water systems, regardless of size, should be testing for dangerous emerging contaminants.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Just Released: Long Island’s “Voices for Wind”
Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, NY Senator Todd Kaminsky, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and so many other prominent voices provided 30 second video messages on why they support offshore wind!
Check out our new video series and interactive map featuring diverse Long Island voices on why they support offshore wind
New York is a leader in offshore wind development. In 2019, NY passed the nation’s most aggressive climate bill, which mandates 70% renewable energy by 2030 and 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035. To meet these ambitious goals, New York has already selected five offshore wind projects that will power over two million homes in NYC and Long Island.
We have been working with a diverse coalition of student groups, community stakeholders, elected leaders, environmental experts, labor leaders, and more to voice support for offshore wind on Long Island. We recently compiled short videos from a variety of these prominent “Voices for Wind” in an interactive map, which allows our partners and the public to share why they support transitioning away from fossil fuels to offshore wind in their community. Check out our “Voices for Wind” series today!
If you would like to submit a video please contact CCE Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito at aesposito@citizenscampaign.org.
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Victory: Suffolk County Legislature Unanimously Passes Honeybee Protection Bill
Suffolk County agrees that honeybees must be protected, not exterminated!
Honeybees are an integral component of our food web, but unfortunately, global populations of honeybees have declined since 2005. Massive bee die-off events and colony collapse disorder are putting our ecosystem and food production at risk.
We worked with Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski to craft and introduce an important bill to prevent exterminators in Suffolk County from exterminating honeybee hives without first calling a beekeeper. Beekeepers can come to resident’s homes, remove the hive and provide the honeybees with a safe home. We are excited that Suffolk is leading the way to protect our agricultural industry, ecosystem, and critical pollinator populations.
Thanks to everyone who wrote their legislators and testified in support – the legislature has unanimously passed the Honeybee Protection Bill!
And thank you to the Long Island Community Foundation for your support of our work to protect honeybees!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
VISIT THE ATLANTIC’S ONLY MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT
ATTEND A VIRTUAL EXPEDITION INTO THE NORTHEAST CANYONS AND SEAMOUNTS
You are invited to attend a live stream of NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer Expedition into the Northeast Canyons and Seamount National Monument! Join Mystic Aquarium on July 27th for a rare glimpse of the explorer dive into the monument, followed by a live virtual Q & A session with experts from Mystic Aquarium, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA Okeanos Explorer. This event is part of NOAA’s 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts Expedition.
WHEN: Tuesday July 27, 1:00pm
REGISTER: Click here to register (we’ll email you the link for the live stream, notify you of any delays, and send you a recording afterward in case you missed the live stream)
MORE INFO: Visit the USFWS website
PLEASE NOTE: Dive schedule subject to change.
About the Monument
The Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a genuine biodiversity hotspot, located about 130 miles off Cape Cod. Established in 2016, the monument supports a multitude of marine species, including ancient corals, rare fin fish and marine mammals.
This area plays a critical role in bolstering threatened and endangered species throughout the region, including humpback whales, endangered wright whales, loggerhead sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and many others. Recent expeditions into the monument have led to incredible advancements in marine sciences—new species have been discovered with each expedition!
The Biden administration is taking steps to ensure that this national treasure is protected for generations to come. Join the virtual deep dive to learn about what makes this area so important!
Thank you for joining us. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Join us for an Informative Webinar on Bringing Hydropower to New York
Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the New York League of Conservation Voters for a webinar on “Bringing Hydropower to New York.” Join us to learn more about this proposal to bring existing, excess power from Canadian hydropower facilities to New York City via a transmission line down the Hudson River. The Hudson Champlain Power Express transmission line is approved and could bring 1,000 - 2,500MW of clean, renewable power to the NYC grid. Join CCE, NYLCV, and experts from Hydro-Québec to learn more about this project and the benefits of bringing Canadian hydropower to NYC.
New York has advanced the most ambitious climate legislation in the country with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which requires us to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon-free electricity by 2040. One major obstacle our state faces in reaching CLCPA goals is that there is a “tale of two grids,” with upstate New York using 88% zero-emission hydropower resources but only representing 1/3 of the state’s energy load, while downstate still relies primarily on fossil fuels while consuming 2/3 of the state’s total energy.
Advancing offshore wind, solar, and energy storage downstate is critical, but we will also need to bring additional renewable energy into the New York City energy mix if we are going to reach our CLCPA goals. Join us to find out more about how transporting excess Canadian hydropower to NYC can help us combat climate change and transition from polluting fossil fuel peaker plants to renewable energy in our communities.
Topic: Bringing Hydropower to New York
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Where: Zoom - click here to register today! After registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate.
Speakers:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Julie Tighe, President, NY League of Conservation Voters
Gary Sutherland, Director of Strategic Affairs and Stakeholder Relations, Hydro-Québec
Donald Jessome, CEO, Transmission Developers Inc.
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Victories in New York State!
Legislature passes laws to protect public health and our environment
While some important bills fell short, there is a lot to celebrate about the recently concluded New York State legislative session. The following CCE priorities passed in the legislature (most still need to be signed by the Governor):
Testing drinking water for emerging contaminants: Ensures that the drinking water for 2.5 million New Yorkers that are served by small water systems test for dangerous emerging contaminants.
Banning coal tar sealcoat: Coal tar sealcoat, which contains a known carcinogen, scrapes off roads and parking lots and ends up polluting our waterways and in our homes. Safer alternatives to “beautify” asphalt are readily available.
Keeping drinking water lead-free at schools: Sets a more protective standard for lead in school drinking water and increases the frequency of testing. There is no safe level of exposure to lead, especially for our children.
Environmental Bond Act: The $3 billion bond act will protect waterways, make our communities more resilient to climate change, and create jobs. The bond act will be considered by voters on the ballot in November of 2022.
Banning small plastic toiletry bottles at hotels: Hotels in NYC alone use an estimated 27 million of these unnecessary plastic bottles every year. The plastic bottles often end up in landfills, incinerators, or in our waterways.
Protecting our health and environment from fracking fluids: Bans fluids from oil and gas development from being spread on roads or on fields. Fracking fluids contain toxic chemicals and can be radioactive.
Thank you for your support—we could not have achieved this without you!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
NY, CT, and the Nation Deserve Clean Water
Tell Congress to Invest in Clean Water Infrastructure!
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity!
Congress is currently developing next year’s federal budget while also considering a major infrastructure package. This provides our nation with a critical once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally address our long-standing clean water needs! We have solutions to our clean water challenges, and it’s time to use them. Congress must act to:
Upgrade sewage and drinking water systems: The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a program to provide support to municipalities for the construction and repair of sewage infrastructure, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a program to upgrade drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe water at the tap. Congress should fund each program at $10 billion annually.
Replace Lead Service Lines: Between 6 -10 million homes nationwide continue to receive their drinking water through lead service lines, posing a serious risk to their health and disproportionately impacting low-income households. Congress should fund the Lead Service Line Replacement Program at $4.5 billion annually, which will provide grants for the full cost of replacing lead service lines.
Background Information
Aging and failing sewage infrastructure discharges raw or partially sewage into local waterways, jeopardizing human health, closing beaches, harming fish and wildlife, and damaging local economies. Our drinking water infrastructure is also in need of critical upgrades, with communities facing ever-increasing water main breaks every year and continuing to rely on lead service lines that threaten public health. Our water infrastructure has been ignored for far too long, causing needed repairs to pile up due to lack of sufficient funds. As the Congress looks to address the nation’s infrastructure needs, we need to ensure clean water infrastructure is an essential component of that effort.
The Costs of Inaction in New York, Connecticut, and the Nation: Antiquated sewage and drinking water infrastructure threatens our environment and our health, while compounding economic struggles.
There are an estimated 360,000 lead water service lines throughout New York (an estimated 6 -10 million homes nationwide) that pose a serious risk of leaching lead into our drinking water.
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave NY & CT’s infrastructure poor grades (NY drinking water infrastructure: C; NY wastewater infrastructure: D; CT drinking water infrastructure: C-; CT wastewater infrastructure: D+). We deserve better!
There are 5 overflows of raw or partially treated sewage into New York waters every day. More than 1 billion gallons of raw or partially treated sewage enter CT waterways each year.
Between 1.8 and 3.5 million Americans become ill annually from contact with recreational waters contaminated by sewage.
Clean Water Infrastructure Needs in NY & CT
While repairing and replacing NY & CT’s clean water infrastructure is imperative, it will also be costly. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) estimates that over $36 billion is needed to repair and upgrade sewage infrastructure, while the New York State Department of Health estimates drinking water infrastructure needs exceed $38 billion. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than $8.6 billion worth of investments are needed over the next 20 years to maintain, repair and upgrade sewage infrastructure in Connecticut.
We Need Federal Investment in Clean Water Infrastructure
The federal government’s contribution to investments in water infrastructure fell from 63% in 1977 to 9% in 2014. The lack of federal investment has left communities unable to keep up with the large maintenance costs for aging systems. Many projects get delayed, and, in other cases, the costs of large infrastructure projects are passed on to ratepayers—leading to skyrocketing water bills. In some communities, water bills have tripled over the last 10 years.
A major federal investment in water infrastructure will protect our environment, help ensure safe, clean, and affordable drinking water is available to everyone, and set the stage for economic revitalization in towns and cities across New York.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
ELIMINATE TOXIC PFAS IN FOOD SERVICE PACKAGING
Tell House Leadership to Call S.B. 837 for a Vote Today
With fewer than three days remaining in the Connecticut legislative session, we are running out of time to eliminate PFAS chemicals in our food packaging. We urgently need your help to get legislation (S.B. 837) called for a vote in the House so we can pass this important bill into law!
S.B. 837 restricts the use of takeout containers, fast food wrappers and other food packaging treated with toxic PFAS. These “forever chemicals” persist in our bodies and our environment for decades, and they contribute to serious human health issues, including developmental impacts and certain cancers.
The bill also authorizes the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to establish a take-back program for firefighting foams that contain PFAS and contaminate our environment and drinking water sources. This legislation brings CT in line with many neighboring states and has already passed the CT State Senate unanimously.
Why we are emailing you: we need your help today!
With so many important bills and limited time left in the session, we need to call on leadership in the House to call the bill and get it passed. Please take a moment to email House Speaker Matt Ritter and ask him to ban PFAS in food packaging today.
Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Honeybees must be protected, not exterminated: Support the Suffolk County Honeybee Protection Bill
Help us pass important legislation ensuring beekeepers can rescue honeybee hives before they are exterminated in Suffolk County
Honeybees are an integral component of our food web, but global populations of honeybees have declined since 2005. Massive bee die-off events and colony collapse disorder are putting our ecosystem and food production at risk. In honor of National Bee Day on May 20th, we worked with Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski to craft and introduce an important bill to prevent exterminators in Suffolk from destroying honeybee hives without first calling a beekeeper to rescue the hive!
This bill would require homeowners, pesticide applicators, and exterminators who want to address unwanted honeybee infestations first call a beekeeper, who can safely relocate the hive. To learn more about the importance of protecting honeybees and the Suffolk County honeybee protection bill, check out this video with CCE’s Adrienne Esposito and Legislator Al Krupki.
There are two important ways you can help!
You can also join us virtually for the Suffolk County Public Hearing on the Honeybee Protection Bill and submit supportive comments. Details for the public hearing:
Date: Tuesday, June 8
Time: 2:00pm
How to Submit Public Testimony
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Protect Our Pollinators!
Ban Dangerous and Unnecessary Uses of Neonic Toxic Pesticides in New York!
Pollinators, such as honeybees, beetles, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are essential components of our food web. Massive bee die-off events and colony collapse disorder are putting our ecosystem and food production at risk. This rise in bee deaths has been largely linked to the explosive growth in the use of neonicotinoids (A.K.A. “neonics”) and other harmful pesticides.
Neonics are pesticides that attack the nervous system of insects. These pesticides largely added as a seed coating to plants, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, and used as a spray for ornamental plants and turf. As a seed coating these chemicals persist and spread as the plant grows, making the entire plant toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Neonics are also threatening New York’s waters. A 2018 U.S. Fish and Wildlife study found neonics in New York’s streams “in excess of toxicity and regulatory thresholds.” Additionally, extensive testing of New York’s surface waters by the USGS in 2016 found the neonic imidacloprid in nearly 40% of samples. Neonics are persistent in our water and environment, posing a serious threat to health and pollinators.
Corn, soy, and wheat treated seeds account for an estimated 73% of all neonics used in New York, while lawn, garden, ornamental, and turf (aka cosmetic) uses make up an additional 15%. A 2020 report by Cornell University found that neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds provide "no overall net income benefits" to farmers yet pose significant risk to bees and other pollinators. Likewise, cosmetic uses posed some of the highest risk to pollinators but are easily replaced with safer alternatives.
The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.669B/A.7429) would ban these low benefit/high risk uses of neonics in NY. This will eliminate at least 85% - 90% of all neonics used in New York, protect water quality, and ensure we are not poisoning our birds, bees, and other pollinators with this toxic pesticide.
How You Can Help! Email NYS Senate and Assembly Leadership!
Send an email to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and tell them to pass the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.669B/A7429) to ban neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds and ban ornamental and turf neonic uses.
Thank you! Together we can make a difference.
All of Us at CCE
Tackling Plastic Pollution in Long Island Sound
Join us for the final virtual workshop:
“Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution: Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution”
Join Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution, a collaborative workshop series advancing local actions for cleaner waters and healthy watersheds in Long Island Sound. Hear from scientists and practitioners about approaches to combat pollution and clean up coastal waters in communities around Long Island Sound.
This final workshop will bring folks from across the Sound together to learn about advancements in technology and policy that tackles our biggest water quality challenge — marine debris and plastic pollution. Hear from expert speakers like Robert A. DiGiovanni from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Dr. Kelsey Leonard from Shinnecock Nation, and our own Executive Director Adrienne Esposito from Citizens Campaign for the Environment! Additionally, new research on plastics in the Sound will be presented by students from Brentwood High School and Northport High School.
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Topic: Marie Debris and Plastic Pollution
Hosts: Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Save the Sound and The Nature Conservancy; with generous support from the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative
Register here (after registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate)
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE
Webinar: Long Island’s Forever Chemical
Join us for a webinar on:
PFAS: Long Island’s Toxic “Forever Chemicals.”
Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment for a webinar on PFAS: Long Island’s Toxic “Forever Chemicals.” The EPA’s failure to regulate PFAS is causing tremendous health and economic damage on Long Island. This important discussion will identify steps the EPA should take to regulate PFAS, so that they do not pose unintended or unreasonable risks to humans, animals, and the environment.
The webinar will feature expert panelists, including Phil Brown, University Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Health Sciences at Northeastern University; Tim Whitehouse, the Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; Kyla Bennett, the Science Policy Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; and Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. The webinar will also be moderated by Christopher Sellers, the Professor of History at Stony Brook University.
Topic: PFAS, the “Forever Chemical”
Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Where: Zoom - click here to register today! After registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate.
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE