CCE in the News

NAACP again intervenes to protest Yaphank waste transfer facility

NAACP again intervenes to protest Yaphank waste transfer facility

A truck transports waste.

A bill that would allow the Town of Brookhaven to eliminate a zoning requirement that protects open space to allow for a rail spur extension faces pushback from the New York NAACP and local chapters.

Eliminating a conservation easement would allow a proposed waste transfer station in Yaphank to connect to the freight system on the Long Island Rail Road. State NAACP officials warn that hauling away “thousands of tons of trash” by rail would disproportionately harm nearby communities of color.

EPA data shows 2021 had fewer toxic chemical releases in Connecticut

EPA data shows 2021 had fewer toxic chemical releases in Connecticut

Eva Stebel, water researcher, pours a water sample into a smaller glass container for experimentation as part of drinking water and PFAS research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response.

EPA Proposes New Drinking Water Standards Against 'Forever Chemicals'

EPA Proposes New Drinking Water Standards Against 'Forever Chemicals'

The proposed regulations focus on "forever chemicals" - chemicals that do not break down - found in drinking water.

FARMINGDALE, NY — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday proposed new enforceable drinking water standards, known as maximum contaminant levels, for two chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, found in drinking water, the agency announced.

Community offshore wind invests in youth STEM education

Community offshore wind invests in youth STEM education

One month after submitting a proposal to the state government for clean energy investment, Community Offshore Wind is already starting to invest.

The joint venture between RWE Renewables and National Grid has put over $100,000 into youth STEM education programs for the future workforce, collaborating with multiple community partners in downstate New York to provide access to museums, outdoor spaces, and environmental and marine education for hands-on learning experiences.

Commentary: Corporations, not communities, should be responsible for recycling packaging waste

Commentary: Corporations, not communities, should be responsible for recycling packaging waste

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act will reduce waste and ease the burden on municipalities.

New York state generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, with a lackluster recycling rate below 20 percent. Instead of being recycled, much of our waste is going to landfills, being burned in incinerators, or ending up as plastic pollution in our communities and waterways. Each year companies ship billions of products, exacerbating the paper and plastic waste crisis, yet they bear no responsibility for managing the packaging waste they create.

A real bus stop

A real bus stop

The general aggravation of bad weather became very specific for 30 Long Islanders gathered Tuesday morning at the Melville park ‘n’ ride on the Long Island Expressway. It was 6 a.m., and members of the Long Island Lobby Coalition were waiting in the cold and slush for the bus that would take them to Albany for their annual Long Island Lobbying Day — a bus that never came.

Long Island fourth nationally in potential risks due to climate change, Moody's report says

Long Island fourth nationally in potential risks due to climate change, Moody's report says

Long Island ranks fourth among major American population centers for exposure to the physical and economic risks of climate change, behind only San Francisco, Cape Coral, Florida and New York City, according to a report released last week by Moody’s Analytics.

Local officials adamant public drinking water near MacArthur Airport is safe, but some homeowners with private wells are concerned

Local officials adamant public drinking water near MacArthur Airport is safe, but some homeowners with private wells are concerned

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. -- There are concerns about the public drinking water in and around Long Island's MacArthur Airport.

Authorities say it's safe, but people with private wells tell CBS2's Jennifer McLogan they're worried.

At environmental forum, officials discuss host of issues including waste management, housing needs

At environmental forum, officials discuss host of issues including waste management, housing needs

A who’s who of leading environmental advocates joined elected officials in Riverhead last week to discuss and Long Island-wide conservation initiatives.

Bill shifts reducing plastic and paper waste in New York to manufacturers

Bill shifts reducing plastic and paper waste in New York to manufacturers

A bill proposed in New York would put the onus on corporations to reduce the amount of plastic and paper packaging they use, and relieve the burden placed on local governments. The goal is to reduce the tons of garbage that ends up at landfills.

Step by step, ridding East Meadow’s water of chemicals

Step by step, ridding East Meadow’s water of chemicals

There are 13 ongoing water remediation projects for the Town of Hempstead’s Water Department including three related to water in East Meadow.

The East Meadow project includes wells 1 and 3 on Prospect Avenue West, wells 5 and 11 on Prospect Avenue East, and East Meadow Site II with wells 6 and 8.

The town’s water department pumps 18 million gallons of water each day to over 120,000 customers. The East Meadow Water District, within the town’s water department, serves 40,000 customers, including several schools, Nassau University Medical Center, and Eisenhower Park.

Mother files lawsuit against Brookhaven, nearby school following death of 13-year-old son due to cancer

Mother files lawsuit against Brookhaven, nearby school following death of 13-year-old son due to cancer

BELLPORT, N.Y. -- A Long Island mother is fighting to have the school her son attended closed. She says it wasn't until his tragic death at the age of 13 that she learned that toxic air from the nearby landfill could have been the cause of his cancer.

Court papers blame teenager's fatal cancer on Brookhaven Landfill fumes

Court papers blame teenager's fatal cancer on Brookhaven Landfill fumes

Nacole Hutley, mother of Javien Coleman, stands beside photos of her late son on Jan. 23, 2023.

A pending lawsuit blames both the South Country Central School District and the Town of Brookhaven for the death of Javien Coleman, a teenager who is believed to have developed cancer due to toxins emitted from the Brookhaven Landfill while at school.

Cleaning East Meadow’s water

Cleaning East Meadow’s water

The funding is extremely timely, because the cost of the advanced oxidation technology is expensive.”

ADRIENNE ESPOSITO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The Town of Hempstead has received $5 million from Washington to continue improving East Meadow’s drinking water. The funding is part of the $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last month.

Patchogue mom will sue over claim her son died from Bellport school's toxic air

Patchogue mom will sue over claim her son died from Bellport school's toxic air

A Patchogue mother whose 13-year-old son died last year of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma took the first step Monday toward a lawsuit against the South Country Central School District and Brookhaven Town, arguing the teen's death was caused by toxic air at the Bellport school he attended for two years.

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