The Yale Superfund Research Center and CCE are Partnering to Understand the Impacts of 1,4-Dioxane Contamination on Long Island Residents and Communities

Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-holding-a-ball-while-drinking-from-water-fountain-8337476/

CCE is working to educate Long Island community members on how they can participate in the Yale Superfund Research Center’s study, which is being funding by the National Institute for Environmental Health and Sciences

1,4-Dioxane is an emerging contaminant of concern found in drinking water throughout the nation, including water supplies in Long Island. In fact, water suppliers in Nassau and Suffolk Counties have reported the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane contamination in the nation. Research is needed to understand the impacts of 1-4-dioxane contamination on Long Island’s residents and communities.

Learn more about the Yale Superfund Research Center Study
The Yale Superfund Research Center is in the initial phase of further investigating 1,4 dioxane exposure on human health in Long Island communities through studies of exposure and health. Its initial community sites include Nassau and Suffolk Counties, where high levels of 1,4-dioxane have been previously found in public supplies and private wells. We are working to educate community members on how to participate in this drinking water and blood sample study (with incentives). Ultimately the goal is to enhance understanding by partnering with the community in its investigation and sharing results as widely as possible.

We need your help—get involved!
If you would like to learn more about 1,4-dioxane in your community, how to get involved in community action and education, and learn about the Yale Superfund Research Center’s research study, please sign up here to learn more! If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to call us at 516-390-7150.

More info on 1,4-dioxane and the Yale Study
CCE co-hosted a Lunch and Learn virtual forum with Yale University on 1,4-dioxane contamination on Long Island and the new study. Check out the video to learn:

• The latest science on drinking water and health impacts of 1,4-dioxane

• More information on the large quantities of 1,4-dioxane in popular products

• The new partnership between Yale and CCE and the health study to begin this year for Long Islanders

In case you missed it, check out Newsday’s great coverage of recent exemptions for hidden carcinogen 1,4-dioxane in consumer products and the Yale health study on Long Island.

Additional Background on 1,4-Dioxane

What is 1,4-dioxane and why should I be concerned?
1,4-Dioxane, known as one of the “forever chemicals,” is an emerging contaminant of concern found in drinking water throughout the nation, including water supplies in Long Island. Past industrial practices that discharged 1,4- dioxane into the ground and eventually seeped into the Long Island aquifers have contaminated our public water supplies and private wells. The EPA has established that 1,4-dioxane is likely carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to this chemical is linked to tumors of the liver, gallbladder, nasal cavity, lung, skin, and breast.

Is there 1,4-dioxane in my community?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tested 4,400 water supply systems nationwide and Long Island was found to have some of the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane detection in the US, with some water systems in both Nassau and Suffolk containing levels over 100 times the EPA’s cancer risk guideline of 0.35 parts per billion (ppb). View CCE’s interactive map that shows the highest detections of 1,4-dioxane in each water district/distribution area across Long Island.

Exposure to 1,4-dioxane most likely occurs through drinking contaminated water, however, it may also be inhaled or absorbed through skin. 1,4-Dioxane is also found in everyday products, not as an additive or enhancer, but rather as an unwanted byproduct of the manufacturing process. CCE conducted independent testing of common household products and found 1,4-dioxane in 80% of personal care products, including baby products, shampoos, body wash, dish soaps and laundry detergents.

What is New York doing about 1,4-dioxane?  Is there more to be done?
New York is a leader in combatting 1,4-dioxane and currently has the strictest enforceable drinking water standard in the nation at 1 ppb. Water suppliers are required to remove this emerging contaminant and many Long Island water suppliers have already invested in and installed Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), a technology designed for the removal of this carcinogen. New York State is also a leader in banning 1,4-dioxane in personal care products. A law passed in NY requires manufacturers to reduce 1,4-dioxane down to 2 parts per million (ppm) by January of 2023 and down to 1 ppm or below by 2024.

There is more to be done! Long Islanders have been exposed to this harmful chemical for decades. 1,4-Dioxane is still unregulated at the federal level and EPA says more research is needed on the environmental and human health impacts of exposure to fully understand the long-term impacts of 1,4-dioxane.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Protect Our Drinking Water from Dangerous “Forever Chemicals”

Photo by Lisa Fotios: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-drinking-glass-1346155/

Support Strong National Drinking Water Standards for PFAS Chemicals

In recent years, communities across New York, Connecticut and the nation have discovered their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent, meaning they build up in our bodies and don’t break down in the environment. New science indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in our drinking water and we must do more to protect public health from this growing threat.

In order to protect drinking water and public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the first nationwide enforceable limits on the amount of six highly toxic PFAS chemicals allowed in drinking water.

EPA is now accepting public comment on the proposed drinking water regulations. Polluters will undoubtedly push to weaken these proposed regulations—EPA must stand firm and adopt these strong, health-protective standards! Adopting these drinking water standards will protect drinking water in New York, Connecticut and throughout the nation and prevent thousands of premature deaths. Submit a comment to EPA before the public comment period closes on May 30th!

Background

What is PFAS?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products for many decades, due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties. PFAS are used in cookware, packaging, clothing, furniture, adhesives, paint, firefighting foam, artificial turf, and other products. According to the U.S. EPA, there are at least 3,500 industrial sites across New York and 900 sites across Connecticut that may be handling or using PFAS chemicals.

PFAS Pollutes our Environment and Drinking Water
Due to widespread use of PFAS chemicals in numerous products and industries, PFAS chemicals have become ubiquitous in the environment, including our soil, air, and drinking water. Testing has revealed PFAS in water sources in communities across New York, Connecticut, and the nation.

PFAS Threatens our Health
Studies show that human exposure to PFAS is widespread and that nearly all people in the United States have some PFAS compounds in their blood. Exposure to PFAS can lead to higher rates of kidney and testicular cancer, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects and decreased immune response in children, and other adverse health impacts.

New Science Indicates That There is No Safe Level of Exposure to PFAS
Based on a growing body of new science, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its drinking water health advisory for two types of PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA. Drinking water health advisories indicate the amount of a chemical in drinking water that is expected to cause adverse health impacts. The EPA significantly reduced the health advisory from 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS down to a mere .004 ppt for PFOA and .02 ppt for PFOS. This means that there is essentially no safe level of exposure to these chemicals in our drinking water!

EPA Proposes Strong National Drinking Water Standards
Following the update of health advisories, EPA has now proposed the first nationwide enforceable limits on the amount of six highly toxic PFAS chemicals allowed in drinking water. For PFOA and PFOS, EPA proposed individual drinking water limits of 4 ppt per chemical. For the other four PFAS (PFNA, PFBS, PFHxS, and GenX), EPA proposed an enforceable limit designed to address those chemicals’ combined effects as a mixture. While we want to ultimately eliminate PFAS in drinking water, EPA’s proposed standards represent the strongest standards that are currently technically feasible.

Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Missed the Virtual Forum? Watch the Video of the Educational Forum on Whale Protection

Hear from the experts about whale strandings and deaths and what we can do to protect whales

Since 2016, we have witnessed an increase in whale strandings and whale deaths off the coast of America’s shores. These endangered species are under threat from several sources, including ship strikes, fishing gear, plastic pollution, and climate change. Unfortunately, misinformation about whale deaths and an association with offshore wind development has led to concerns about transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. These local wind projects are crucial to combat climate change, which is not only a threat to whales but also to marine mammals, fisheries, and our communities.

Citizens Campaign for the Environment, NY League of Conservation Voters and NY Offshore Wind Alliance hosted a virtual educational forum with whale experts from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Thank you to the almost 400 people who joined us for these great presentations and a lively Q &A. If you missed it, check out the video to learn more about the recent whale strandings and deaths, what is being done on the local, state, and federal level to protect whales.

Thank you for watching!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Lunch and Learn Virtual Presentation: 1,4-Dioxane Contamination on Long Island

Learn about the hidden carcinogen 1,4-dioxane and how this emerging contaminant impacts you, your family and your community

Learn about Yale’s new health study for Long Islanders

1,4-Dioxane is a toxic contaminant found in drinking water throughout our nation, including water supplies on Long Island. This hidden carcinogen was also found in 80% of personal care products that CCE had independently tested, including shampoos, bath gels, dish soap, laundry detergent, and baby products. Due to CCE’s work, NY State has adopted a law to limit the amount of 1,4-dioxane in household products. The law went into effect this year, however, the list of products that are deferred from complying is extensive!    

In addition, we are excited to announce that CCE has partnered with the Yale Superfund Research Center!  Yale Superfund Research Center has crafted a study to better understand the impact of 1,4-dioxane exposure on Long Island residents. CCE is providing education and outreach to inform Long Islanders about this new, exciting program. Find out how you can participate in Yale’s health study on 1,4-dioxane.   

Join us to learn more about:

• The latest science on drinking water and health impacts of 1,4-dioxane

• More information on the large quantities of 1,4-dioxane in popular products

• The new partnership between Yale and CCE and the health study to begin this year for Long Islanders

When: Monday, April 24, from 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Who:    Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Dr. Nicole Deziel, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health

Where: Via Zoom. Register today for this free virtual Lunch and Learn.

Thank you for joining us.
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Clean Water Video Series: Progress and Challenges in New York

On World Water Day, we look at what protecting clean water looks like in New York State

March 22nd is World Water Day, and to celebrate, we are releasing a video series on the progress and challenges associated with protecting NY’s water resources. From Long Island to the Finger Lakes to the Great Lakes, significant efforts have been made to protect and restore our treasured waters, and this video series provides a glimpse into our progress.

New York has an abundance of water resources that we rely on for drinking water, recreation, tourism, and a heathy environment. Major investments have been made in successful efforts to restore our waterbodies, combat harmful algal blooms, address emerging contaminants, and so much more.

We’ve produced six short videos that highlight what successful water quality protection projects look like and the many benefits they provide to New York. Learn more about the work that has been done to protect New York’s treasured waters, the work left to do, and why we need continued state and federal investments in protecting clean water in New York!

Videos in this series include:

• The Big Picture on Clean Water: Progress and Challenges in New York

• Great Lakes Success Story: Green Infrastructure in the City of Buffalo

• Great Lakes Success Story: Upgrading Erie County’s Southtowns Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Great Lakes Success Story: Nature Based Solutions to Protect Lake Ontario

• Combating Harmful Algal Blooms on Cayuga Lake

• Removing Emerging Contaminants from Drinking Water

You can view the entire video series and more on CCE’s YouTube channel. If you enjoy these videos and others on our channel, please subscribe!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling in New York

Hold manufacturers, not taxpayers, responsible for their waste. NYS must take action in the state budget—due April 1!

New York State is suffering from a solid waste and recycling crisis—recycling costs for municipalities and taxpayers have skyrocketed, recycling rates are abysmal, and our environment and health are suffering from pollution caused by excessive plastic packaging. Currently, corporate brand owners bear no responsibility in managing the product packaging waste they have created.

To help address this solid waste crisis, the Governor has included a Waste Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act in her executive budget proposal, while the NYS Senate has included an even stronger policy in their budget proposal. Both will require product manufacturers—not taxpayers—to be responsible for the cost of collecting and recycling the packaging and paper they create. Now the Governor, Senate, and Assembly must come together and agree on a strong waste reduction policy in the final budget that is due April 1!

A strong, effective waste reduction policy negotiated in the final state budget will:

• Reduce packaging waste by at least 50%

• Increase recycling rates up to 70%-80% (currently at 17%)

• Eliminate toxic chemicals in packaging, including PFAS and heavy metals

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change

• Provide agency staff to ensure the law is implemented and enforced

• Save local governments/taxpayers across the state upwards of $1 billion annually!

Email your NYS Assemblymember, NYS Senator, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Urge the legislature to include a strong Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act in the final 2023-24 budget.

Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Whale Tales and Whale Facts

Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay

Join us for an educational forum on whale protection: learn from the experts about threats to whales off NY’s coast and what we can do to protect these endangered species

Since 2016, we have witnessed an increase in whale strandings and whale deaths off of America’s shores. These endangered species are under threat from several sources, including ship strikes, fishing gear, plastic pollution, and climate change. Unfortunately, misinformation about whale deaths and an association with offshore wind development has led to concerns about transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. These local wind projects are crucial to combat climate change, which is not only a threat to whales but also a threat to marine mammals, fisheries, and our communities.

Join us for this virtual educational forum to hear from experts and learn more about the recent whale strandings and deaths, and what is being done on the local, state, and federal level to protect whales. Presentations will be followed by Q&A.

When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 12:00pm – 1:00pm zoom

Where: Via Zoom—register here

Who: Speakers include:

• Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

• Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters

• Fred Zalcman, Director, New York Offshore Wind Alliance

• Dr. Jill Lewandowski, Director, Division of Environmental Assessment and Center for Marine Acoustics, US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

• Robert DiGiovanni, Founder and Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society

• Meghan Rickard, Marine Zoologist, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Join us! 2023 Long Island Sound Summit: Funding & Strategies to Tackle Local Water Pollution

There has been significant progress cleaning up the Sound – and there is still more work to be done! Learn more from expert speakers from NY and CT.

CCE has partnered with The Nature Conservancy and Save the Sound to host the 2023 Long Island Sound Summit: Funding & Strategies to Tackle Local Water Pollution. Join us at this Long Island Sound summit to:

• Connect with clean water professionals from across the Sound

• Learn about Sound resources for clean water project design and implementation

• Discover new collaboration opportunities to advance key projects

The summit will include a plenary panel featuring presentations from NY and CT speakers and will include a panel discussion moderated by Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Learn about local water quality projects, their successes and challenges, and available resources.

The deadline to register for the Summit is March 23, 2023, at 5pm EST. There is a $25 registration fee which covers lunch for attendees. Scholarships to waive registration fees and attend the Long Island Sound Summit are available. Learn more about Summit scholarships here.

Date:
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Time:
10:00 am – 2:45pm
Location:
The Port Jefferson Village Center
101 E Broadway
Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Great Lakes Restoration Success Stories – Video Series Premiere!

Image by Ray Miller from Pixabay

Join Us on March 6th as we premiere short videos that demonstrate what successful Great Lakes restoration looks like in New York

To kick off Great Lakes Week*, CCE and our partners at Audubon NY are hosting a virtual premiere of our video series on Great Lakes restoration success stories in New York State.

New York's Great Lakes waters, including Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, provide drinking water to 6.2 million New Yorkers. The Great Lakes basin covers 40% of the entire surface area of the state! Major investments have been made in successful efforts to restore the lakes in NY, but what does “Great Lakes restoration” actually look like? We’ve produced four short videos that highlight what successful projects look like and the many benefits they provide to New York.

Video Premiere Details:
Date: Monday, March 6, 2023
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Zoom (register here)

The videos highlight the following projects:

• Protecting clean water and providing job opportunities with green infrastructure in the City of Buffalo

• Upgrading a wastewater treatment plant to stop sewage overflows in Lake Erie

• Using “nature-based solutions” to protect the health of Lake Ontario

• Fighting harmful algal blooms in Cayuga Lake (Finger Lake located within the Great Lakes watershed)

Learn more about the work that has been done to restore and protect New York’s treasured Great Lakes, the work left to do, and why we need continued state and federal investment in protecting clean water in New York!

*March 6th kicks off Great Lakes week in Washington DC. That week, CCE and our partners at the Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition will be in DC to meet with members of Congress on the importance of protecting our Great Lakes!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

Event: Protect our Drinking Water from Dangerous “Forever Chemicals”

Photo by Lisa Fotios: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-drinking-glass-1346155/

Join us for a lunch and learn webinar to learn how you can help push New York State to take strong action to protect our drinking water from dangerous PFAS chemicals

In recent years, many communities across New York State discovered that their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent, meaning they build up in our bodies and don’t break down in the environment. 

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) recently proposed new draft regulations for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Proposing new standards for additional PFAS chemicals is an important step forward; however, we cannot accept standards that are not adequate to protect public health. The proposed standards must be strengthened. NYS DOH is currently accepting public comments on their proposed regulations and it is imperative that the public weighs in!

Join experts from Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and learn about the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS exposure, the latest science on these emerging contaminants, and how you can weigh in with NYS on this important issue.

Presentations will be followed by Q & A. Free and open to the public. 

Date: Monday, Nov 21, 2022 
Time: 12:00 PM -1:00 PM
Where: Via Zoom (register today)
Speakers:

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Dr. Kyla Bennett, Director of Science Policy, PEER
Miriam Rotkin-Ellman MPH, Senior Scientist & Toxics Director, NRDC

*This program is also co-sponsored by Green Inside & Out.

Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely, 
Your friends at CCE

November 8 is Election Day!

Vote Yes on the 
Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act

This election day, clean water is on the ballot—please don’t forget to vote on this once-in-a-generation opportunity! The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act, which is Prop 1 on the ballot, provides $4.2 billion for:

• Protecting drinking water and upgrading outdated infrastructure

• Safeguarding communities from flooding and extreme weather

• Conserving open space and family farms

• Fighting climate change

• Advancing environmental justice

• Strengthening New York’s economy and creating over 100,000 jobs

Don’t forget to flip your ballot and vote “yes” on Prop 1 on November 8th. If you want to learn more, check out our webpage and  our videos on the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act. Please spread the word far and wide!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

How Do Long Island Congressional Candidates Plan to Fight Climate Change?

CCE joined Students for Climate Action and the Citizens Climate Lobby to co-host Congressional Candidate Climate Change Chats

Find out how candidates plan to protect Long Island from climate change 

Long Island is on the front lines on climate change. Our Congressional representatives from districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 will have a crucial role to play in ensuring protections for our coastal communities, local economy, and environment. We invited both major party candidates from each of these districts to have 15-minute discussions with us discussing their plans for fighting climate change. We asked each candidate their plans to mitigate the potential impacts facing Long Islanders, views on promoting renewable energy, climate policy, and support for local green jobs. If you missed the event live, be sure to check our climate chats with:

JACKIE GORDON, Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District 

ANDREW GARBARINO, Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District

BRIDGET FLEMING, Candidate for the 1st Congressional District

LAURA GILLEN, Candidate for the 4th Congressional District 

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, Candidate for 3rd Congressional District 

Congressional Candidate Climate Change Chats

Join CCE and Students for Climate Action (S4CA) virtually on the evening of October 20th to hear from Long Island candidates running for Congress—learn how they plan to address climate change if they are elected to Congress

Long Island is on the front lines of climate change. Our Congressional Representatives from districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 have a crucial role to play in ensuring protections for our coastal communities, local economy, and environment. Students for Climate Action and Citizens Campaign for the Environment invited both major party candidates from each of these districts to have 15-minute discussions with us to talk about their plans for fighting climate change. Join us for these informative climate chats! This zoom event is open and free to the public. 

Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Location: Register for the zoom event today

Schedule: 

7:45-8:00 JACKIE GORDON, Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District 

8:00-8:15       ANDREW GARBARINO, Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District

8:15-8:30 BRIDGET FLEMING, Candidate for the 1st Congressional District

8:30-8:45 LAURA GILLEN, Candidate for the 4th Congressional District 

8:45-9:00 ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, Candidate for 3rd Congressional District 

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act November 8th!

Join us for a virtual lunch and learn presentation to learn more about Prop 1: The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act

Join CCE, The Nature Conservancy, and the New York League of Conservation Voters for an informative presentation on the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act. If approved, this funding will allow our state to undertake urgently needed environmental improvement projects that are vital to New York’s future. This Bond Act, which is Prop 1 on the ballot this November, would provide necessary and overdue investments to solve pressing public health and environmental challenges. 

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act would provide $4.2 billion for:

• Protecting drinking water and upgrading outdated infrastructure

• Safeguarding communities from flooding and extreme weather

• Conserving open space and family farms

• Fighting climate change

• Advancing environmental justice

• Strengthening New York’s economy and creating over 100,000 jobs

Join us for this important presentation (free and open to the public):

When:       Tuesday, October 18, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where:      Register for the zoom forum today
Speakers:  Adrienne Esposito, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Julie Tighe, New York League of Conservation Voters
Jessica Ottney Mahar, The Nature Conservancy

Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

CANCELLED: Join us to learn about offshore wind projects off our coast!

CANCELLED!
Please note that this meeting is being rescheduled and as soon as we know the new dates we will send them to you. Thank you for your interest in Offshore Wind.

Join CCE and Equinor for informative public meetings about offshore wind projects in New York—Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2, which will be located off the coast of the Rockaways and Long Beach and provide enough power for over one million homes

New York has set ambitious goals of 70% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon-free electrical generation by 2040. A key asset in achieving this critical goal is to harness our vast offshore wind resources, which is why New York has set a goal of 9,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by 2035—enough to power 6 million homes. 

Empire Wind 1 will be located approximately 20 miles off the coast of the Rockaways and generate approximately 800 MW of energy, which will power 500,000 homes.

Empire Wind 2 will be located off the coast of Long Beach City, adjacent to Empire Wind 1. This project will generate 1,260 MW of energy for Long Island. Energy will be delivered to the south shore via a cable connection to the E.F. Barrett substation in Oceanside. The turbines will be built 20+ miles offshore. 

As these projects advance in New York, it is important for Equinor (the developer for Empire Wind 1 and 2) to give updates and hear from the public.  Please join us for the following public meetings:

Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Tell Us What YOU Think About Offshore Wind

Please Fill Out a Brief Survey Today.
Ensure Your Voice is Heard!

We are working throughout the state to educate residents, environmental stakeholders, and policymakers on offshore wind. New York has committed to 70% renewable energy by 2030 and offshore wind will be a key part of achieving that goal (NY has committed to a goal of 9GW of offshore wind by 2035—enough to power 6 million homes). The state’s first offshore wind farm is currently under construction and there are four more offshore wind projects moving through the permitting process. As offshore wind becomes a reality for New York, we want to hear from you! 

To help guide our educational campaign and help us provide feedback to key decision makers, we’re asking you to please fill out a brief survey. Let us know your thoughts on offshore wind. 

Thank you for taking action,
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

A Look Back at the New York State Legislative Session

Image by LoveBuiltLife from Pixabay

While some of our priority bills fell short, there were some significant achievements to celebrate from the recently concluded New York State legislative session! The following CCE priority bills were passed by the state legislature (still need to be signed by the Governor):

• Expanding Stream Protections: Protects an additional 41,000 miles of streams, which will help to protect drinking water supplies and preserve important habitat for fish.

• Conserving open space: Requires the conservation of at least 30% of land in the state by 2030, helping to fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and preserve forests and farmland.

• Making Polluters Pay for Drinking Water Contamination: Ensures that polluters, not taxpayers, pay for treatment of drinking water supplies when they are responsible for contaminating it.

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Carpets: Over 500 million pounds of carpets go to landfills and incinerators each year in NYS. Carpet EPR will help ensure that manufacturers—not taxpayers and local governments—take responsibility for managing their products throughout their entire life cycle. Not only will this save local governments money, but it will increase recycling of carpets, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce toxic chemicals in our homes.

 And let’s not forget the major victories from the state budget that was passed earlier in the legislative session!

• Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act: The $4.2 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 the upcoming November election.

• Increased Wetlands Protections: The program will protect an additional million acres of freshwater wetlands, which are critical to protecting communities from flooding, filtering pollution, fighting climate change, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife.

• Historic Funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF): The EPF was funded at an all-time high of $400 million and will support programs to protect the Ocean and Great Lakes, preserve valuable open space, fight climate change, increase recycling, and so much more.

• Fixing our sewer and drinking water systems: The state provided $500 million to upgrade failing sewer systems and improve treatment of drinking water.

We were also disappointed that some of our priority bills did not pass, including extended producer responsibility for product packaging and paper (makes brand owners—not taxpayers—pay for recycling of product packaging) and a ban on unnecessary uses of bee-killing neonic pesticides. We are eager to get these bills passed in the upcoming 2023 legislative session.

Thank you for your support—we could not have achieved these accomplishments without you!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

What are the Problems with Artificial Turf? You have questions, we have answers!

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Join CCE and PEER for a virtual lunch and learn presentation on the environmental and public health concerns associated with artificial turf fields

Throughout New York State, Connecticut, and the nation, natural grass playgrounds and athletic fields are being replaced with “artificial” or “synthetic” turf. The use of artificial turf raises significant environmental, health, and safety concerns that parents, schools, and policymakers must be made aware of. As schools continue to switch over to artificial turf, children who play on these surfaces are at increased risk of physical injury and exposure to toxic chemicals.

On Tuesday, June 28, Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) are co-hosting an educational presentation to discuss the significant problems with artificial turf. Join us to hear from experts and have the opportunity to ask questions. 

Speakers:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Dr. Sarah Evans, PhD, MPH, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy, PEER
Monica I. Mercola, Environmental Legal Fellow, PEER

Topics:

• PFAS and other hazardous chemicals used in artificial turf

• Water contamination

• Microplastic pollution

• Climate impacts

• Increased sports injuries

• Lack of recyclability

• Increased costs to schools

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual presentation on Zoom. Register today!

This event is free and open to the public. 

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely, 
Your friends at CCE

Preserve Plum Island

“Plum Island, aerial photograph”, by adrian, acediscovery, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Help to ensure this ecological gem located in Long Island Sound is permanently protected! 

Plum Island is an 840-acre island located 10 miles from Connecticut in the heart of Long Island Sound.  Approximately 90% of the island is undeveloped, allowing pristine wetlands and grassland areas to flourish and giving the island tremendous ecological value. Plum Island is home to over 111 species of conservation concern, contains one of the most significant seal haul-out sites in southern New England, and is home to 228 bird species that use the island for breeding or migratory purposes.

Plum Island has long been the home of USDA’s animal disease research facility, blocking it from public access. The facility is now being relocated to the Midwest, providing a unique opportunity for a new vision for Plum Island.

For over a decade, a broad, diverse coalition, which includes elected officials, environmental groups, businesses, and Indigenous nations, has worked together to save Plum Island from large-scale private development. We have been working for permanent protection and preservation, and now is the time to get it done! We are urging the Biden administration to designate Plum Island as a National Monument, ensuring that wildlife is protected, cultural and historical values are maintained, and people are able to enjoy this unique ecosystem for generations to come.

Email President Biden today. Urge him to designate Plum Island as a National Monument and ensure that this Island will be preserved for future generations.

Thank you for taking action,
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling in New York

Hold manufacturers—not taxpayers—responsible for their waste!

With only a couple weeks left in the New York State legislative session, it is critical that the Senate and Assembly come together and pass strong, unified legislation to tackle the state’s solid waste and recycling crisis before time runs out!

New York State is indeed suffering from a solid waste and recycling crisis—recycling costs for municipalities and taxpayers have skyrocketed, recycling rates have declined, and our environment and health are suffering from pollution caused by excessive plastic packaging. Currently, corporate brand owners bear no responsibility in managing the product packaging waste they have created.  

Bills have been introduced in both the NYS Senate and Assembly to help fix our solid waste crisis. The policy, known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), would require product manufacturers—not taxpayers—to be responsible for the cost of collecting and recycling the packaging and paper they create. 

A strong EPR policy will help:

• Reduce waste: EPR incentivizes producers to produce less plastic waste and packaging in the first place!

• Increase recycling: New York’s recycling rate is approximately 18%, while countries that have adopted an EPR policy have rates over 70%.

• Eliminate toxic chemicals: Prohibit the harmful “forever chemical” PFAS and other toxic chemicals often used in packaging.

• Reduce plastic pollution in our waterways: Lake Erie is polluted with 381 metric tons of plastic while Long Island Sound has an estimated 165 million plastic particles floating in the water at any given time.

• Save taxpayers money: Local governments (outside of NYC) pay $80 million annually to keep recycling programs going.

• Fight climate change: EPR can lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 2.3 million metric tons — the equivalent of taking half a million cars off the road or reducing the state’s GHG emissions from waste by 18%

Tell elected leaders in the NYS Assembly and Senate to support passage of a strong EPR bill this session! Act today, the legislative session is scheduled to conclude in early June.

Thank you for taking action. Together we make a difference!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE