Highlights and Happenings: October 2020

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Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Reducing Nitrogen Pollution to the Western Bays 

For decades, nitrogen pollution from sewage has caused harmful algal blooms, depleted oxygen, killed fisheries, and threatened tidal marshes in the Western Bays on Long Island. Last month, we joined U.S. Chuck Senator Schumer, NY Senator Todd Kaminsky, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, SUEZ, and our partners in the fight to restore the Western Bays to celebrate. Major infrastructure upgrades have been made at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant that will drastically reduce nitrogen pollution entering the local bays and help restore water quality in these treasured waters! 

Implementing New York’s Plastic Bag Ban! 

While New York’s ban on carryout plastic bags was scheduled to go into effect on March 1, an industry lawsuit, coupled with the pandemic, caused the implementation date to be set back. After defeating the industry challenge in court, New York State officially began to enforce the ban on plastic bags on October 19! Make sure to always bring your own bag to the store and keep an eye out to make sure stores are not distributing single-use plastic bags. You can report non-compliance through an online form or by calling DEC at 518-402-8706. 

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Happenings

Fighting for NY’s First Offshore Wind Farm 

NY has committed to 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035 and our first offshore wind project will be the South Fork Wind Farm off Montauk on Long Island. October brought another big milestone for the project, as Governor Cuomo signed a joint proposal to move the project forward with state agencies. But the fight isn’t over. We need New York to approve a cable connection carrying energy from the offshore turbines to an electrical substation in Town of East Hampton. Dozens of studies are already completed to ensure the project is responsibly developed, mitigates potential impacts on wildlife, and protects the coastline. Tell the NYS Public Service Commission to approve the South Fork Wind Farm cable connection. 

Another Summer of Discontent for Long Island’s Waters 

Last month, we joined Dr. Chris Gobler of Stony Brook University and our Long Island clean water partners to release an annual water quality map that includes harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills. Unfortunately, the news was not good. Once again, nitrogen pollution has caused water quality impairments in nearly every major bay and estuary across the island. You can check out the map of water quality impairments and a video of the press conference for more info. 

Fighting for the Great Lakes “in Washington” 

While we usually lead a group of advocates down to Washington D.C. every fall to meet with Congressional offices, this year we instead held a virtual Great Lakes day via zoom with D.C. offices. We recruited strong partners to join our virtual meetings—fishing groups, wastewater treatment operators, water suppliers, and environmental justice advocates—to speak in one voice on all the issues that must be addressed to protect our lakes. Funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, fixing our aging sewer systems, ensuring affordable drinking water, and fighting invasive species were all identified as Great Lakes priorities for the year ahead. 

Stop Sucking and Start Sipping! 

Take the pledge to reduce the amount of plastic you use when getting take-out from restaurants. Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen a surge in the use of disposable plastics. In the U.S. we use millions of plastic straws and utensils every day, many of which ending up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. It’s time to get back on track and reduce the amount of disposable plastics we get when ordering takeout from restaurants. Break the throw-away plastic habit and sign the pledge to reduce plastics by choosing reusable straws, utensils and bags when getting takeout at restaurants! Take the pledge TODAY! 

Improving Recycling in Connecticut 

We’re happy to announce that CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch was re-elected to the CT Recyclers Coalition (CRC) board of directors at their annual meeting in October. The CRC's membership includes municipal recycling authorities, non-profit organizations and private businesses working to advance Connecticut's recycling and materials management programs at both the local and state levels. We are looking forward to working with our partners at the CRC to educate the public on important recycling issues including municipal solid waste reduction, modernizing Connecticut’s bottle bill, and increasing recycling education for CT residents and businesses. 

Investigating Incinerator Ash 

Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, is an official member of the Ad hoc Committee on the Ash Fill formed by Brookhaven Town (NY). The committee is evaluating a proposal to locate a regional ash monofil at the current Brookhaven landfill. As part of their due diligence, we joined our fellow committee members for a visit to Covanta’s advanced metal recycling facility in Pennsylvania. The facility is able to extract gold, silver, aluminum, copper, iron and even coins and jewelry from incinerator ash. The facility is piloting options to re-use ash in roads and construction projects. The Committee also went to visit the Babylon Ash Monofill. This ashfill is located in an industrial area, bordered by cemeteries and accepts incinerator ash from the Babylon Covanta facility. The committee is tasked to provide a report on the ash fill proposal to Brookhaven Town by the end of January. 

Discussing Climate Change in NY Congressional Districts 1 & 2 

Long Island is on the frontlines of climate change. Our next Congressional representatives from NY-01 and NY-02 will have a crucial role to play in ensuring protections for our coastal communities, local economy, and environment. In October, we joined the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Students for Climate Action to host a free virtual Town Hall on Climate Change for NY Congressional Districts 1 & 2. We had a great turnout and a lively panel discussion with climate experts on the issues facing Long Island. You can check out the entire event here. 

Highlights and Happenings: August 2020

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Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

New York Plastic Bag Ban Upheld by State Supreme Court!

After over a decade of fighting to prevent plastic pollution throughout New York, we successfully worked to pass a statewide ban on plastic bags in 2019. The ban was due to go into effect in March of 2020, but an unfortunate lawsuit by plastic bag manufacturers and bodega owners delayed the implementation. Now, we are closer than ever to finally be plastic bag-free. NY won the court challenge in August, and the state is expected to announce the new implementation date soon. We can’t wait to celebrate once the date is announced, but don’t wait until then to act—start (or continue!) using your reusable bags when you shop!

Tackling Climate Change, COVID, and our Economic Crisis in Connecticut

We’re thrilled to be working with RENEW CT, a large coalition of non-profits, businesses and labor groups aiming to a progressive policy framework for CT. The goal is to simultaneously achieve progress on the three major challenges of our time: climate change, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. We’re fighting to craft and implement policies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while investing in environmental justice communities and creating jobs in our state. This is a big challenge, and we will need to implement policies on clean energy, transportation, clean air and water, food security, healthcare and affordable housing in order to protect our CT communities. Make sure to stay tuned for information on RENEW CT as developments occur.

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Happenings

Getting Clean Energy Back on Track

While New York is pushing forward with three offshore wind projects and a new solicitation for up to 2,500 MW of additional offshore wind power, the federal government has stalled. We need the U.S. Department of Interior to designate additional “Wind Energy Areas” (areas appropriate for offshore wind farm siting) off the coast of New York. These areas should have been designated in 2019, and we cannot afford further delays as we push to meet our state mandate of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. In July, we joined Congresswoman Rice, NYS Senator Kaminsky, environmental organizations, and labor groups in Long Beach to call on our federal government to stop delaying and announce new “Wind Energy Areas” in 2020.

Exploring the Potential for Offshore Wind in the Great Lakes

NY’s nation-leading climate law mandates 70% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon-free electricity by 2040. Offshore wind power in the Atlantic, and potentially in the Great Lakes, will play a critical role in meeting these important and ambitious clean energy mandates. Therefore, the state recently proposed to study the feasibility of offshore wind in the Great Lakes (there are currently no wind farms in the Great Lakes). As New York considers the potential for offshore wind in the Great Lakes, it is essential that the public has access to fact-based information about offshore wind and its potential benefits and impacts on the lakes. Therefore, we have put together an educational page on our website with a series of fact sheets on Great Lakes offshore wind—we invite you to take a look and learn more!

Protecting Connecticut’s Water Resources

Last year, Connecticut approved the State Water Plan (SWP), which will ensure that water is a public trust and that CT’s current and future water supply needs are met equitably for years to come. We are now working to see this landmark water protection plan implemented and engage the public in the process. In July, CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch became chair of the newly-formed Outreach & Education subcommittee of the SWP Implementation Working Group. This new subcommittee will develop a public outreach strategy for individuals, community groups and businesses about the SWP and what it means for CT communities and regulated industries. We’ll be working with our subcommittee partners to do outreach on public water use, water conservation, drinking water quality, and more.

Image from DEC https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

Harmful Algal Blooms are Still a Threat Across New York!

It’s late in the summer, but harmful algal blooms (HABs) are STILL posing an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2019, over 1,000 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form!

Highlights and Happenings: July 2020

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Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victories! Environment Wins Big in NY Special Legislative Session 

Several of our priority bills were passed by the NY Senate and Assembly this July during a special session of the legislature. Governor Cuomo has already signed the bill closing the hazardous waste loophole into law, and we are working to ensure he signs all these crucial environmental bills: 

• Streams protection: Expands state protections to an additional 41,000 miles of important streams throughout the state. 

• Closing the hazardous waste loophole: Hazardous fracking waste will no longer be able to be sent to traditional landfills or wastewater treatment plants, which are ill-equipped to handle hazardous waste—threatening our health and water. 

• Banning TCE in products: Trichloroethylene ("TCE") is a solvent and used in paint strippers. It is also unnecessary, causes cancer, and regularly pollutes drinking water sources. 

• Stopping illegal dumping: Dangerous construction and demolition debris is all too often dumped in parks and open spaces, threatening our environment and public health. This legislation holds polluters accountable with significant increased penalties for illegal dumping. 

• Banning PFAS in food packaging: PFAS, a dangerous suite of chemicals that are harmful to public health, are widely used in food packaging to provide water and grease resistance. This bill bans these harmful—and unnecessary—chemicals in food packaging. 

• Banning glyphosate on state property: Glyphosate is a dangerous herbicide that is a probable carcinogen, is ubiquitous in our waterways, and is harmful to pollinators. This bill makes our state lands glyphosate-free! 

• Pilot project for Adirondack road salt reduction: The over-application of road salt is damaging ecosystems, harming aquatic life, and destroying drinking water sources. This project will develop best practices to protect the Adirondack Park, and ultimately expand statewide. 
  

NYS Sets Nation’s Strongest Drinking Water Standards for Emerging Contaminants 

After three years of hard work advocating for the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to adopt drinking water standards for the toxic chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, the DOH officially adopted strong, enforceable drinking water standards for these contaminants in July! The Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)—10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 1 ppb for 1,4-dioxane—are the toughest MCLs adopted in the US and will ensure that our tap water is treated for these toxic chemicals. In fact, NY is the first state to set a 1,4-dioxane standard, and we look forward to seeing other states do the same!   

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Happenings

Working to Improve CT’s Bottle Bill 

As part of our continuing campaign on Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (aka “the Bottle Bill), we participated in the CT Recycler’s Coalition presentation about challenges and solutions for modernizing Connecticut’s Bottle Bill. Some important steps we could take include: increasing the deposit value from 5 to 10 cents, and expanding the deposit to juices, teas, sports drinks and other non-carbonated beverage containers. After creating a comprehensive stewardship program for beverage container recycling, Oregon and B.C. Canada have achieved redemption rates between 80-90% on covered containers (as opposed to CT, which lingers just over 50%). Stay tuned for more information on how you can help push CT to successfully modernize its Bottle Bill. 

Image by doskey12 from Pixabay

Big News for Offshore Wind 

In July, Governor Cuomo announced the largest combined clean energy solicitation ever introduced in the US. NY's offshore wind projects seek up to 2,500 MW (the largest in the nation's history), and could bring NYS halfway to our offshore wind goal of 9,000 MW by 2035 (when combined with previously approved projects). While New York has once again proven to be a leader in combating climate change, our neighbors in Massachusetts are also making an important stride towards offshore wind. The nation’s first large-scale offshore wind farm (the US has one small project in operation off Rhode Island), Vineyard Wind 1, could be approved by the end of this year. Last month, we submitted public comments, worked with coalition partners, and garnered emails from NY and CT residents in support of the project. We will keep pushing federal leaders to give the final approval for Vineyard Wind 1 by the end of 2020 and make large-scale offshore wind a reality for the US. 

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

U.S. House Takes Big Step Forward for Clean Water 

As we continue our campaign to urge the U.S. to support a green economic recovery from the devastating impacts of the pandemic, the U.S. House stepped up with a strong budget for FY 2021 that supports clean water and jobs. The House-passed a budget that includes major funding increases for the Great Lakes restoration, upgrades for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and lead drinking water line replacement. We are now urging the U.S. Senate to follow suit! 

Protecting Suffolk County NY’s Land Preservation Program 

Suffolk County’s land preservation program, which began in the late ‘80s, has been the most important water quality protection initiative in the county’s history (protecting important open spaces is critical to protecting water quality). Due to current budget shortfalls from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Suffolk County Executive proposed putting forth a ballot initiative that would have allowed the county to raid funds from the land preservation program. This pandemic highlighted the importance of our parks and open spaces, and we fought hard in opposition to the potential decimation of one of the county’s pivotal environmental programs. Last month, the Suffolk County Legislature and County Executive decided to withdraw the legislation and keep this landmark program intact! 

Highlights and Happenings: June 2020

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Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

We’re Back Out in Force!

Back in March, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated that we suspend our direct grassroots community outreach in order to protect the health of our employees and the public (our phone outreach staff and other staff continued to work remotely throughout). As much of NY and CT reopens, we are excited to announce that we are all back in action! While we have implemented new practices to help keep everyone safe as we organize, we are back out in force fighting for a green economic recovery, renewable energy, clean water, and more. Thank you so much to all who helped support us during the height of the pandemic – we could not have gotten through it without you!

Victory! Suffolk County, NY Bans Littering of PPE

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for public health protection, but unfortunately we are seeing more plastic masks, gloves, and wipes littering our parking lots and parks. In June, we worked to pass legislation in Suffolk County to ban the littering of PPE (offenders face increased fines). This will not only help to prevent plastic pollution, it will also protect the health of Long Islanders who are cleaning up or coming in contact with discarded PPE. Thanks to the Suffolk County Legislature for leading the way and passing this bill unanimously.

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Happenings

Creating a Buzz for our Pollinators

For National Pollinator Week, we assembled an expert panel and hosted a free virtual forum to provide information about the importance of pollinators, the threats they are facing, and how the public can protect them. Pollinators are un-BEE-lievably important to our ecosystem and food production, yet their populations are rapidly declining. Our expert panelists discussed how widespread use of toxic pesticides, habitat destruction, and other stressors are contributing to the decline as well as ways you can be a bee friendly consumer and manage garden pests responsibly. Missed the forum, but still want to get the BUZZ on bees?  Watch the entire recorded forum or watch an abbreviated highlight (approximately six minutes) version.

Calling on Our Elected Leaders to Protect the Health of our Great Lakes

In response to a recent report on the health of the Great Lakes—which diluted and minimized the ongoing suffering and degradation of our lower Great Lakes system in New York State—we joined with our friends at Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to call on our elected officials to take action in support of our lakes.

Defending Our Ocean National Monument  

On June 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order to allow commercial fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. This monument, off the coast of New England, was established under the Antiquities Act in 2016 and has since become a virtual treasure trove of marine life, including threatened and endangered marine mammals, sea turtles, rare deep sea corals, and many others. We fought to get this area declared a national monument and we will continue to fight to keep it protected from commercial fishing and other threats. For more information, check out CCE CT Program Director Lou Rosado Burch’s recent Op-Ed on the importance of this underwater marvel.

Improving CT’s Bottle Bill

Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (aka “the Bottle Bill) is a proven, effective way to incentive recycling and keep our communities clean and litter free. However, CT’s bottle bill needs to be improved and modernized. Last month, we joined the CT Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to discuss the challenges and pathways forward on modernizing Connecticut’s Bottle Bill. CEQ is Connecticut’s independent environmental watchdog –the council meets monthly to discuss current and ongoing environmental priorities, including solid waste & recycling issues, water protection, pesticide use and enforcement and many others.

Wind Works Long Island

Image by doskey12 from Pixabay

We have joined our environmental, labor, community, and faith-based partners to launch Wind Works Long Island. The coalition is a growing force behind educating the public on the science-based benefits of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind.  In June, we continued our work to support responsibly-sited offshore wind farms, including the South Fork Wind Farm, which will bring renewable energy to 70,000 LI homes. If you want to find out more about the coalition and what you can do to support offshore wind, check out the new website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Highlights and Happenings: May 2020

Photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Pushing for a Green Economic Recovery for America 

As states have begun to “re-open,” we are working to ensure we build back stronger, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable than ever. In May, we kicked off our campaign to push Congress to pass a green economic stimulus, including investments in clean water infrastructure and renewable energy (and NOT fossil fuels). This would create good jobs and revitalize local economies—while protecting public health and our environment. Join us in urging Congress to act! 

We are also fighting on the state level in Connecticut for a green recovery, including rejecting fossil fuel infrastructure, investing in renewable energy resources (including offshore wind), and fully funding the CT Energy Efficiency Fund to save ratepayers money and create green jobs. Take action on this important campaign today! 

Fighting Plastic Pollution: Resuming Enforcement of Existing Laws 

Both NY and CT suspended enforcement of their bottle bill deposit programs and plastic bag laws in order to help struggling retailers during the pandemic. It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence that returning bottles or using reusable bags presents a risk to public health. While it is understandable to help busy retailers during this difficult time, as our states reopen, it is time to resume enforcement of important environmental laws to protect public health and reduce plastic pollution. In May we were busy pushing both states to resume enforcement—here is where both states currently stand: 

• Both NY and CT set a final deadline of June 3rd to resume enforcement of their bottle deposit programs (please let us know if you see stores out of compliance!). 

• Connecticut has agreed to resume its statewide plastic bag fee on June 30. 

• New York has set a date of June 15 to implement its statewide plastic bag ban. After multiple delays, we need to hold them accountable to that deadline—send state leaders an email today! 

New York Suspends Water Shutoffs! 

Water is essential to life; we cannot live without it. It is critical that every New Yorker has access to clean water, especially during the pandemic. We joined with many environmental, faith-based, labor, senior, and civil rights groups in calling for New York to suspend water shutoffs. We were thrilled when the NY legislature returned to session in May and passed legislation to prohibit utility shut-offs during the COVID-19 state of emergency, including water service shutoffs. 

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Happenings

Combating PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Pollution 

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for public health protection, but unfortunately we are seeing more plastic masks, gloves, and wipes in our parking lots and parks—contributing to plastic pollution in our communities and waterways. We are working with Nassau and Suffolk Counties in NY to pass legislation to help prevent PPE litter throughout Long Island—to both protect our environment and the health of those tasked with cleaning up the litter. You can find out more about our fight to end PPE litter here. 

Wind Works 4 Long Island 

We have joined our environmental, labor, community, and faith-based partners to launch Wind Works 4 Long Island. The coalition is a growing force behind educating the public on the science based benefits of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. In May, we continued our work to support responsibly-sited offshore wind farms, including the South Fork Wind Farm, which will bring renewable energy to 70,000 Long Island homes. If you want to find out more about the coalition and what you can do to support offshore wind, check out the new website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Highlights and Happenings: March 2020

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Continuing the Fight to Protect our Environment During this Pandemic

As we practice social distancing, largely from our homes, we are constantly reminded of how important our work continues to be.  Drinking water from our kitchen tap, using personal care products (without toxic chemicals), and visiting local parks to get fresh air and exercise—all demonstrate that our work to protect public health and the environment is as important as ever.  Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that we suspend our direct grassroots outreach in order to protect the health of our employees and the public. This has created a financial hardship on us.  CCE is a strong organization with excellent staff and we are determined to weather this storm, but we truly need your help during these difficult times.  If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a financial contribution today to support our work to protect clean water, fight climate change, conserve open space, and so much more.  

Victory!  A Green Budget for New York

CCE priorities in the final New York State budget include:

• $3 Billion Environmental Bond Act: This funding will help our communities become more resilient to the challenging impacts of climate change, including increased flooding and sea level rise, while also protecting and restoring our water resources. The Bond Act will need to be approved by the voters in November.

• Ban on Styrofoam food packaging and packaging peanuts: Styrofoam litters our communities and threatens public health. There is no need to continue using this antiquated product when safe and environmentally friendly alternatives are readily available.

• Permanent ban on fracking: While Governor Cuomo wisely instituted a regulatory ban on fracking in 2015, this permanent ban set in law will help ensure the dangerous process of fracking for gas will not be taken up by future administrations.

• $500 million for clean water infrastructure: Increased investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure will not only protect our drinking water and reduce dangerous sewage overflows; it will help put thousands of New Yorkers to work.

• Fully funding the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $300 million: Since 1993, the EPF has been New York’s most important source of environmental funding, benefiting every community in the state. EPF projects protect drinking water, build community parks, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, and so much more.

Victory! Suffolk Legislature Votes Yes on Clean Water Plan

Nitrogen pollution from sewage and septics poses a significant threat to Long Island’s water resources. To combat this problem, Suffolk County has worked diligently to create a comprehensive Subwatersheds Wastewater Management Plan, which analyzes the sources of nitrogen pollution in 191 subwatersheds and prescribes a path for ecosystem restoration in each water body. The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously voted “yes” in March to adopt the Final Generic Environment Impact Statement (FGEIS) for the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan. This vitally important vote moves the process forward and allows critical components of the plan to be considered by the Legislature in the future. 

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Happenings

Pushing for our Priority Bills in CT 

The Connecticut legislative session is currently suspended due to COVID-19, but the fight isn’t over. We spent the first half of March pushing for our priority bills and we will continue working to ensure our CT environment is protected during this shutdown. We testified at public hearings and urged key committee member to support critical bills for 2020, including phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighting foams and food service packaging, requiring testing for PFAS in public drinking water supplies, prohibiting Styrofoam food packaging, and establishing a Climate Change and Green Jobs plan for CT. Stay tuned for more information on how you can add your voice to support these important bills. 

Tackling Emerging Contaminants on Long Island 

The NYS Department of Health is in the final phase of deciding drinking water standards for 3 emerging contaminants: 1,4-dioxane, PFOS and PFOA. The quicker these standards are finalized, the sooner it will be mandated that these chemicals are filtered out of our drinking water. Bethpage and Calverton residents live in communities with water wells impacted by toxic plumes, which include the aforementioned contaminants, and will be directly impacted by these new standards. In March, we joined community groups from Calverton and Bethpage in calling on NY to move forward without further delay in setting drinking water standards for these emerging contaminants. These residents—and everyone—deserve clean drinking water! 

Fighting for the Great Lakes in D.C. 

In early March, we joined with a team of advocates from New York and traveled down to Washington D.C. for Great Lakes Days. We met with the New York congressional offices on our Great Lakes priorities: Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, increasing funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, stopping the invasion of Asian carp, fighting clean water rollbacks from the administration, and more. 

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System 

While our series of community forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools is temporarily suspended to observe social distancing recommendations, our nitrogen pollution problem is not going away. These forums are designed to help Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems and we will be picking up the series and rescheduling meetings as soon as we can. In the meantime, you can get information on the grant program or fill out an application here. 

Highlights and Happenings: February 2020

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Plastic Bags are Banned in New York!

After over a decade of working to prevent plastic pollution throughout New York, we’re thrilled that NY is now plastic bag free. In 2019, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders included legislation banning plastic bags in the state budget. The bill went into effect on Sunday, March 1 st . We threw a party to kick off the weekend, joining our environmental allies and NYS DEC to celebrate the death of the plastic bag. We’re overjoyed to see the public make the switch and remember to #BYOBagNY!

Fighting for our 2020 Priority Bills in CT 

The CT Legislature is considering several of our key priorities this session. We are supporting bills (and will need your support!) that would: 

• Restrict the use of firefighting foams containing toxic PFAS chemicals; 

• Ban toxic PFAS in food packaging; 

• Expand Connecticut’s Bottle Bill (to include a deposit on additional beverage containers); 

• Ban Styrofoam food packaging; 

• Prohibit the use of toxic chlorpyrifos pesticides; and 

• Create a Climate Change and Green Jobs plan to help speed Connecticut’s transition to 100% carbon-free energy. 

Great Lakes Restoration Bill Passes U.S. House! 

In February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed one of CCE’s highest priority bills—federal legislation to reauthorize the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program and increase funding to $475 million annually by 2026! The GLRI has been a resounding success in recent years, helping to clean up the Buffalo River and other toxic hot spots, fight invasive species, restore critical habitat, and provide immense economic benefits to Great Lakes communities in New York. Now we need the U.S. Senate to pass this important legislation! 

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Happenings

Protecting Pollinators from Toxic Pesticides

The use of neonicotinoid (a.k.a. “neonics) pesticides decimates bee populations, threatens food production, and pollutes our drinking water. In February, we joined our allies in Albany for a lobby day to support the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which would put a 5 year moratorium on neonics in New York State. We’re urging NYS to take immediate action and pass legislation this session!

Fighting for a Strong NY Environmental Protection Fund

For the past 27 years the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has invested over $4 billion in projects that protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, protect our oceans and Great Lakes, increase recycling, and much more. We joined our coalition partners in Albany to urge our elected leaders to ensure at least $300 million for the EPF in the final state budget.

Holding Polluters Responsible for the Navy Grumman Plume

The Grumman/Navy Bethpage Plume is the largest on Long Island: 4.3 miles long, 2.1 miles wide, and as much as 900 feet deep. The plume travels under parks, schools, homes, and businesses; and is contaminating drinking water supply wells for thousands of residents. In February, Newsday released comprehensive coverage and previously undisclosed documents verifying the U.S. Navy & Grumman knew toxic chemicals from their operations were contaminating groundwater and putting public health in jeopardy. Their response was to perpetrate a decades-long cover up. We are now calling on our state and federal leaders to take immediate action and bring forth criminal charges against the Navy and Northup Grumman.

 Long Island Lobby Day

We traveled to Albany for our annual Lobby Day trip with the Long Island Lobby Coalition, which represents over 100 groups working to advance infrastructure projects, small business assistance, human services issues, environmental protection, and public transportation. We spoke with Assembly Members, Senators, and Governor Cuomo’s office about critical environmental issues impacting Long Islanders, including advancing solar and offshore wind, protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants, investing in sewage infrastructure, and improving public transportation.

Pushing for our 2020 NY Clean Water Priorities

To ensure that current and future generations can rely on abundant, clean, and affordable water resources in New York, CCE has brought together a diverse network of organizations to collaborate on water protection in New York State. In February, the coalition hosted a Clean Water Breakfast in Albany. CCE and coalition partners educated state elected leaders on the priority water issues that need to be addressed in NY, including funding water infrastructure improvements, removing emerging contaminants in drinking water, expanding drinking water testing, and protecting streams and wetlands that feed our drinking water supplies. On the day of the breakfast, we were thrilled that the NYS Assembly passed legislation to further protect streams in NY (Pictured: CCE and coalition partners celebrating with Assemblyman Sean Ryan, lead sponsor of the Streams legislation)!

CCE Executive Director Adrienne Esposito Makes the LI Power List

Each year, the Long Island Press publishes a list of the top 100 leaders in business, education, philanthropy, unions, and politics on Long Island. Adrienne made the list and attended a great celebration this February, where she was honored as one of this year’s “Change Makers.”

Joining Senator LaValle for his Environmental Roundtable

We attended Senator LaValle’s annual Environmental Roundtable, which brings together advocates and Long Island policymakers to discuss important environmental and public health priorities for NYS. Senator LaValle has been a champion of environmental issues and we look forward to working with him in his last year as a New York Senator.

Upcoming: Change Out Your Septic System in Suffolk County, NY

We are continuing our series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools into the spring. These forums are designed to help Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems. You can get information on the grant program or fill out an application here.

Highlights and Happenings: November 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Tompkins County, NY Passes Fee on Carryout Paper Bags

The Tompkins County Legislature unanimously passed a local law placing a 5-cent fee on carryout paper bags. CCE staff attended the public hearing and provided testimony to the legislature on the environmental and economic impacts of paper bags. This local law, in conjunction with the statewide ban on plastic bags, is necessary to fully address disposable bag pollution and encourage the public to change their behavior and bring their own bag. Tompkins now joins Albany County and NYC, who passed similar laws earlier this year.  We still need more cities and counties to step up and do their part to address single-use bags!

Victory! Long Island Towns Ban Balloon Releases

The Town of Hempstead, the largest town in America, and the Town of North Hempstead, have banned the intentional release of balloons. Suffolk County and Long Beach had previously passed similar laws to prevent plastic pollution, reduce beach litter, and protect wildlife. Now that most of Long Island now has balloon release bans, we have one town left to go. Next up in our fight to prevent balloon pollution – the Town of Oyster Bay (not to mention all of NYS!).

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Happenings

Eighth Annual “Water We Going to Do?” Conference

The Long Island Clean Water Partnership held our annual “Water We Going to Do?” Conference in November. We heard great updates from our federal, state, and local officials, as well as scientific experts, on the threat nitrogen pollution and other threats pose for Long Island’s waters. It was a great opportunity to learn about our water quality improvement campaign’s progress, discuss ongoing clean water projects, and set the stage for what needs to happen in the next year. Thanks to everyone who turned out and made it our best conference yet!

Gearing up for our NYS Water Priorities in 2020

In November, we attended several hearings of the NYS Assembly Minority Water Quality Task Force across New York State to discuss water protection priorities for next year’s legislative session, including funding for clean water infrastructure, a stronger Environmental Protection Fund, protecting NY’s streams and wetlands, establishing drinking water standards for emerging contaminants, banning toxic pesticides, and combating PFAS contamination. Stay tuned for more info on our upcoming 2020 campaigns!

Talking CT’s Environment

Want to hear more about some of our Connecticut campaigns? CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch appeared on WLIS/WMRD radio program “CT Outdoors with Suzanne Thompson” to speak about the state-wide disposable bag law as well as our campaign to keep toxic PFAS out of Connecticut’s water. You can check out the interview here.

 Examining NYS Cancer Clusters

The New York State Health Department identified several communities across NYS, including Centereach, Farmingville, and Selden in Suffolk County, which have higher rates of leukemia, bladder, lung, and thyroid cancers then average. After a year-long investigation into the cause of these cancer rates, the health department failed to thoroughly investigate possible environmental exposures in air and water quality issues. In November, we attended a public meeting where the health department released their findings and we were outraged to hear about the state’s lack of serious investigation into this public health crisis in our communities. 

Upcoming Event: Suffolk County, NY: Change Out Your Septic System

We’re continuing our series of forums in 2019 and 2020 highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools and helping Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems. Our next forum is on December 16 at 7pm at the Setauket Neighborhood House.

Highlights and Happenings: July 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Governor Cuomo Signs Nation’s Strongest Climate Bill into Law

We were excited to witness history as Governor Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act into law. This law requires net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, 70% renewable energy by 2030, funding for low income and frontline communities, carbon-free electricity by 2040, and more. In addition, Governor Cuomo announced two new offshore wind projects, off of NYC and Long Island, which will generate 1,700MW—enough to power over one million homes with clean, local energy! Thank you again to Senator Kaminsky and Assemblyman Englebright for championing this legislation through the legislature.

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Happenings

Calling on Presidential Candidates to Support Great Lakes Restoration
We joined with our partners at the Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition to release a Great Lakes platform and urge presidential candidates to explain how they will support efforts to restore the Great Lakes and protect New York’s drinking water. The platform highlights the need for presidential candidates to support a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, triple water infrastructure funding, uphold clean water protections, reduce harmful algal blooms, and prevent Asian carp from entering the lakes. CCE is not endorsing, nor opposing, any candidate.


Celebrating Water Reuse on Long Island
SUEZ and Nassau County have invested in Long Island’s largest water reuse project at their Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plant in Wantagh, NY. The project will save almost one million gallons of water per day and the water treated from the sewage treatment plant will be reused for plant operations. In July, CCE joined County Executive Curran, the SUEZ team, and other water protection advocates for a press conference and a tour of the water reuse operation at the facility.

Keeping Up the Fight Against 1,4-Dioxane
The New York State Legislature passed a bill banning 1,4-dioxane in household products, and we are now pushing for the Governor to sign the bill into law. In July, the NYS Department of Health proposed the strongest drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane in the nation (1 part per billion)! While we push at the state level, we are continuing to work with municipalities to combat this emerging contaminant local level. In July, we joined several Long Island water suppliers and Nassau County Legislators for a press conference and a public hearing, including a panel discussion with CCE’s Adrienne Esposito, to discuss what Nassau County can do to protect our drinking water and public health from 1,4-dioxane at the local level.

Tackling PFAS Contamination in Connecticut
On June 12, 50,000 gallons of water and PFAS foam stored at Bradley Airport leaked into the Farmington River. In July, CCE joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, along with environmental advocates and local leaders, to call on congress to reclassify PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. This effort failed, but CCE and the Senator continue to push for federal regulation of PFAS chemicals by the EPA, and funding to clean up existing drinking water contamination from PFAS chemicals. In addition, we joined the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for a public forum to discuss the PFAS contamination in the Farmington River. For those in the area, contamination levels in the river have fallen, but DEEP still recommends avoiding eating fish caught in the river.

Next Up in the Fight Against Plastic Pollution: Balloons
The balloons we release into the air do not just fly away; they end up in our lakes and oceans, killing wildlife and breaking down into harmful microplastics. Earlier this year, the Town of East Hampton, NY banned the intentional release of balloons, and now Suffolk County is considering following suit. In July, CCE and our partners in the fight against plastic pollution testified in favor of a county law banning the intentional release of balloons and requiring signage to educate the public on this important issue. Thanks to all who came out to the public hearing and supported the bill. We’ll keep working until we get this local law passed!

Welcoming New Research to Combat Nitrogen Pollution
We were proud to stand with Dr. Chris Gobler, Senators Kaminsky and LaValle, Assemblymembers Englebright and Thiele, the NYS DEC, and Suffolk County for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology’s new Wastewater Research & Innovation Facility (WRIF) in Suffolk County, NY. The facility is designed to test advanced nutrient removal systems to be used as alternatives to traditional on-site septic systems. To conduct research, the facility utilizes a constant supply of domestic wastewater from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works' (SCDPW) existing wastewater pumping station. This research is part of an ongoing commitment from Suffolk County and NYS to reduce nitrogen and other pollution from septic systems.

Reimagining the Erie Canal
The Reimagine the Canals Task Force is in the process of examining how the historic Erie Canal system can be redeveloped to become a more vital force for boosting local economies, tourism, recreation, and strengthening environmental resiliency. We attended a public meeting in Syracuse to raise and discuss environmental priorities as the task force begins to develop their recommendation to the Governor. We highlighted that this is an opportunity to address invasive species, improve climate change resiliency, restore habitats, mitigate flooding, and increase equitable recreational opportunities. We are continuing to work to ensure that environmental benefits are a priority as recommendations for the Canal are developed.

Trawling for Microplastics in the Great South Bay, LI
CCE has joined with Protecting the Environment in Patchogue, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fire Island National Seashore, and St. Josephs College to further understand microplastics in rivers, bays, and harbors. In the next few months we will be seen out on Patchogue River and in the Great South Bay collecting water samples that will be analyzed for microplastics by St. Josephs College. Stay tuned for results!

In June, the Public Service Commission held public hearings on South Fork Wind Farm and the much-needed cable connection between the offshore wind turbines and the East Hampton power grid. We came out in force and testified on the importance of bringing 130mw of clean wind to Long Island.  CCE thanks everyone who came out to support wind power. If you missed the hearings, you can check out Adrienne Esposito’s testimony here and submit your own letters of support to secretary@dps.ny.gov.

Save the Date: Water and Marine Mammals Forum on Fire Island
Join CCE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a discussion on efforts to protect drinking water quality and marine mammals, including the record number of whales returning to our area. The forum is free and open to the public. It will be held on August 12, 11am-12:30pm, at Saltaire Library (103 Broadway) on Fire Island, NY.

Highlights and Happenings: June 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

New York and Connecticut Legislative Victories

CCE had one of our most successful years lobbying in Albany and Hartford ever. Here are the highlights:

Connecticut:

• Approved the State Water Plan, which will ensure that water is a public trust and that CT’s current and future water supply needs are met equitably for years to come.

• Placed a 10 cent charge on plastic bags and bans them completely by August 2021.

• Banned hazardous hydrofracking waste statewide.

• State mandate of 2,000 MW  offshore wind procurement by 2030.

• Passed a package of “New Green Economy” initiatives that will extend existing renewable energy programs, encourage solar development, and invest in net metering.

New York:

• Banned hidden carcinogen 1,4-dioxane in household products.

• Passed the Climate and Community Protection Act, which requires net-zero green house gas emissions by 2050,   70% renewable energy by 2030, funding to help disadvantaged communities, and more.

• Banned toxic chemicals from children’s products.

• Required that large generators of food waste to donate edible food to the needy, and send food scraps to create compost or generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion.

• Banned plastic bags. The law will go into effect March, 2020.

• Prohibited offshore drilling off  NY’s coast.

• Protected Menhaden, (aka bunker fish) from dangerous overfishing.

• Required manufacturers to establish a paint recycling program, which takes the burden off municipalities and taxpayers for disposing of unwanted paint.

• Funded the Environmental Protection Fund at a historic $300 million.

• Allocated an addition $500 million to upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.

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Happenings

Welcoming “Shelley the Turtle” to Sunken Meadow State Park

CCE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society are working to keep plastic pollution out of Long Island Sound. In June, we held a beach cleanup at Sunken Meadow State Park. Following the clean up we unveiled Shelley the Sea Turtle, a 3D art instillation crafted from mesh metal and filled with the plastic pollution we collected. Shelley the Turtle will be a lasting reminder for the public to never leave garbage on the beach and to reduce their use of throw-a-way plastics.

Cleaning Up the Bethpage Plume

The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation proposed a comprehensive plan to clean up contamination at the US Navy/Grumman Plume in Bethpage, Long Island. The plume, which  contains 24 contaminants including known and likely carcinogens, has impacted the drinking water and human health of residents in and around Bethpage for decades. CCE is supporting the state’s proposal but will be also be urging NY to include a plan for public involvement, soil remediation, an expedited clean up timeline, and treatment for contaminants like 1,4-dioxane and Radium in their final plan.

Fighting for a More Resilient Lake Ontario Coastline

As Lake Ontario homes and businesses continue to suffer from coastal flooding caused by record snowmelt and precipitation, we continue our efforts to build a coast that is more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather.  We welcomed the news in June that the Governor committed $300 million for Lake Ontario resiliency, and CCE is working to ensure that nature-based solutions, like wetlands and green infrastructure, play a key role in those resiliency efforts.

Calling for Federal Action on Emerging Contaminants

In Connecticut, about 50,000 gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS was spilled into the Farmington River near Bradley airport. CCE and our partners stood in support of federal legislation, sponsored by Senator Blumenthal, which will provide funding to clean up toxic PFAS in our groundwater and identify safer alternatives to PFAS in firefighting foam.  In New York, we joined our Long Island Congressional Representatives, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Suffolk County Water Authority, environmental groups, and residents for a press conference calling on the EPA to set safe drinking water standards for emerging contaminants 1,4-Dioxane and PFAS chemicals.

Celebrating the Kings Park Solar Farm

New York has passed the most aggressive plan to fight climate change in the country. The only way we'll get there is to promote local renewable energy projects, which is why we were thrilled to stand with NextEra Energy Resources and PSEG Long Island for a ribbon cutting at the Kings  Park Solar Farm. The project will bring 4 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to 1,000+ Long Island homes!                               

Polluters, not the Public, Must Pay for Clean Drinking Water

CCE was proud to stand with Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen to demand that polluters pay to remove contaminants PFOA and PFOS from our drinking water. Treatment for emerging contaminants will cost millions. The companies that contaminated our water must pay to clean up their mess. Now, we need Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation (passed by the Senate and Assembly) that will allow the Town of Hempstead and other municipalities to sue the manufacturers of products containing these emerging contaminants.

Say YES to Wind for LI’s South Fork

In June, the Public Service Commission held public hearings on South Fork Wind Farm and the much-needed cable connection between the offshore wind turbines and the East Hampton power grid. We came out in force and testified on the importance of bringing 130mw of clean wind to Long Island.  CCE thanks everyone who came out to support wind power. If you missed the hearings, you can check out Adrienne Esposito’s testimony here and submit your own letters of support to secretary@dps.ny.gov.

Restoring  Long Island’s Shellfish

We joined Governor Cuomo and many of our water protection partners in Bellport to support the Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project. It was a beautiful day to head out on the boat and help seed native clams, which will help improve water quality in the bay.

Nominations are Open Now for the South Shore Estuary Reserve Stewardship Award

The SSER Council Stewardship Award Program recognizes citizens and organizations that have made significant contributions to protect and restore the South Shore Estuary’s unique natural environment and maritime traditions. Do you know someone who has made contributions to preserve and protect the South Shore Estuary? Nominate them for the 2019 South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Award by July 31st here.

Highlights and Happenings: May 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Celebrating 34 Years of Advocacy at Our Annual Gala

We celebrated 34 years of working to protect public health and the natural environment at our annual Environmental Equinox Gala this May. We were proud to honor Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for his commitment to protecting Long Island’s waters, and Estee Lauder Companies for their dedication in fighting climate change by investing in renewable energy. Thanks so much to everyone who attended and celebrated with us!

Say NO to Plastic Pollution

• Victory! Nassau County, NY Bans Polystyrene: Long Island will soon be Styrofoam-free! In April, Suffolk County banned polystyrene foam, aka Styrofoam. In May, the Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously to pass its own ban on polystyrene. Big thanks to all who came to the public hearing and vote, and special thanks to Legislators Ford, Schaefer, and Mule for their leadership on this bill. Next up – Westchester County!

• Victory! Westport, CT Bans Plastic Cups, Straws, Stirrers, and Polystyrene Containers: After being the first municipality east of the Mississippi River to ban plastic bags over a decade ago, Westport, CT is once again leading the way in the fight against plastic pollution. With this ban on many of the most common single-use plastic items found in our parks and beaches, Westport has one of the most comprehensive laws to curb plastic pollution in the nation.

• Stamford, CT BYOBag Law Takes Effect. Stamford’s ban on plastic bags, along with a 10 cent fee on paper, went into effect in May. Thanks again to the Stamford Board of Representatives for their leadership in the BYOBag movement.

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Happenings

Cleaning Up the Navy/Grumman Plume in Bethpage, NY

The contaminated groundwater plume in Bethpage continues to threaten drinking water and public health on Long Island, but there is some good news. NYS recently released a comprehensive plan to contain and remediate the plume. In May, we attended a roundtable discussion hosted by Congressman Tom Suozzi, and included the EPA, NYS DEC, Congressman King, the Supervisor of Oyster Bay, water providers, and other stakeholders. The attendees discussed the Navy’s plan and the state plan, and the crucial next steps we must take to remediate the plume. Now, we need your help. Join us on June 10th at 5pm at Bethpage High School for a public meeting and support the plan to finally clean up the Navy/Grumman Plume.

Fighting to Ban Offshore Drilling off of CT

CCE’s Lou Burch joined Senator Richard Blumenthal for a press conference highlighting the need to protect the Atlantic coast from dangerous offshore drilling and supporting a federal ban on offshore drilling. We spoke about how we must embrace renewable energy, not remain “fossil fools,” and the dangers posed to our waterways and our communities by allowing offshore oil and gas exploration in our region.

Collaborating in Buffalo, NY on Water Equity

In May, we participated in a water equity learning exchange held by the U.S. Water Alliance. Representatives from Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Camden and other cities around the nation shared information on challenges and best practices to ensure clean water is available to all, particularly those in low-income communities.   Issues included drinking water affordability, lead in drinking water, climate change and urban flooding, and workforce development.

Tackling Odors from the Brookhaven Landfill

After years of complaints about the landfill being ignored by the Town of Brookhaven, we went to NYS Senator Monica Martinez for help. CCE joined residents, as well as teachers and parents from the nearby Frank P. Long School, for a meeting with the Senator to discuss the unbearable odors impacting local quality of life and the myriad of health impacts experienced by those living and working near the landfill. If the Town won’t help the community, we need our NYS leaders to step up and protect our air, health, and quality of life!

Protecting a National Treasure in the Atlantic Ocean

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is located 150 miles off the coast of Cape Code and is about the size of Connecticut. It is the only marine national monument in the Atlantic and is home to a plethora of marine life including endangered sea turtles, whales, seabirds, and rare deep-sea corals. Unfortunately, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts are under attack from the Trump Administration’s attack on national monuments. In May, CCE and our allies met with U.S. Senator Murphy to discuss the importance of this national treasure. We are now gearing up for a big campaign to protect this National Monument, so stay tuned for more on how you can help to protect this treasure.

Talking Plastic Pollution in Western New York

CCE’s Brian Smith presented at an event held by the Tonawanda Commission for Conservation of the Environment on the threat that plastic pollution poses to the Great Lakes, and how the public can help address this problem. By bringing your own reusable bag, coffee mug, takeout container, straw, and more, everyone can help protect our lakes from plastic pollution.   Furthermore, he urged the public to contact their elected officials and support common sense policies to reduce single use plastic pollution, such as a ban on Styrofoam containers.

Working with our Great Lakes Allies in Detroit

In May, we attended the Healing Our Waters Great Lakes conference that was held in Detroit, MI.  This is the region’s largest Great Lakes gathering, and allowed us an opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders from all the Great Lakes States on how to continue to advance Great Lakes restoration.  Critical issues included ensuring increased federal funding, upgrading failing water infrastructure, drinking water affordability, keeping Asian carp out of the lakes, and more.

CCE’s Adrienne Esposito Makes City and State’s Long Island Power 100 List

CCE's Executive Director made the Long Island Power 100 List from City and State, which identify Long Island leaders making a difference on Long Island. Adrienne was honored for her work fighting to protect drinking water, reduce food waste, combat plastic pollution, and more.  Check out the full list here.

Heat Your Home Without Fossil Fuels!

We are an active member of the HeatSmart CNY campaign, which has been working to help CNY residents and businesses install modern, clean geothermal systems. HeatSmart CNY is a grassroots community initiative to support residents and businesses in exploring ways to improve the efficiency of their buildings, including air source, ground source, and hot water heat pump technologies. To learn more about geothermal technologies, join us at upcoming HeatSmart events. If you own a home or business in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, or Oswego Counties, you can sign up for a free, no obligation energy assessment!

Highlights and Happenings: April 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health
and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Governor Cuomo Signs Offshore Drilling Ban

While the federal government may want to open the Atlantic to offshore oil and gas drilling, NYS has stood up and said NO! We were thrilled to join our partners, Governor Cuomo, and Billy Joel at Jones Beach for the signing of this critical legislation that will prohibit drilling off of NY’s coast to protect our waters and coastal communities. Thank you again to Senator Kaminsky and Assemblyman Englebright for your leadership.

Victory! NYS Atlantic Menhaden Protection Bill Becomes Law

Atlantic Menhaden (AKA bunker fish) are one of the most important species in the ocean and a major food source for whales, dolphins, coastal sharks, predatory fish, seals, and seabirds. Great efforts have been made to restore the once overfished Menhaden, with the species reaching historic levels in New York’s waters, but this increase in Menhaden population comes with an increased risk of overfishing by industrial fishing operations. With the signing of the Atlantic Menhaden Protection bill, NYS has stepped up to further protect this crucial species.

Ramping Up the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

• NYS Victory! April was a big month for our campaign to reduce plastic pollution. We joined Governor Cuomo on Long Island as he signed NYS’s plastic bag ban into law on Earth Day. This is a huge leap forward in the fight to break our single-use plastic habit and we are beyond excited to see a plastic bag-free NY in March of 2020.

• NYC Victory! To compliment the statewide ban on plastic bags, NYC passed a law placing a 5-cent fee on paper bags that will go into effect the same day as the state’s plastic bag ban. This will incentivize reusable bags and ensure that millions of New Yorkers don’t just switch from plastic to paper.

• Suffolk County Victories! After showing great leadership by implementing a carryout bag fee in 2018, Suffolk continues to tackle single-use plastics. In April, the Suffolk County Legislature passed bills to ban plastic straws, ban polystyrene (Styrofoam) packaging, and ban single-use plastics in county parks.

• CT BYOBag and Bottle Bills: We are fighting to pass a statewide #BYOBag law and modernize the bottle bill during the last six weeks of the legislative session in CT this year.  In April, we joined together with UConnPIRG and League of Women Voters of CT to lobby our legislators these much-needed plastic reduction bills.

Victories! NYS Legislature Passes “Earth Day” Package of Bills

The NYS legislature passed a package of critical measures to protect public health and the environment in April, which will next be sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature.  CCE priority bills that passed include:

• Child Safe Products Act: This bill, which we have been working on for several years, will prohibit toxic chemicals like mercury and arsenic from being used in products designed for children.

• Ban on Chlorpyrifos: This bill will ban the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos, which islinked to impaired brain development in children and lower IQs, and declines in pollinators such as bees.

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Happenings

CCE Celebrates Earth Day!

April was Earth Month, and CCE participated in great events throughout NY and CT focused on protecting our air, land, water, and public health.  Some of the highlights include:

• Keeping Plastics out of Long Island Sound Forum – We joined Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Town of Huntington for a great public forum and discussion on the impact plastic pollution has on Long Island Sound and what you can do to help.

• Rock to Rock Earth Day Bike Ride – We participated in the 2019 Rock to Rock Bike Ride for Environmental Awareness. Thanks to all who donated and all who came out for a great event.

• St. Joseph’s College, Stony Brook University, and Half Hollow Hills Library Earthstock – On Long Island, we tabled at Earth Week events focusing on protecting our drinking and surface waters from nitrogen, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants.

• Speaking about plastic pollution in Western New York: We joined with University of Buffalo and other local partners for a Beyond Plastics event with former EPA regional administrator Judith Enck for a discussion on how to reduce plastic pollution, including bags, straws, and Styrofoam.  We also presented to the Orchard Park Garden Club on the threats that plastic pollution poses to the Great Lakes.

Tackling Food Waste and Hunger

New York generates an estimated 4 million tons of excess food annually, which makes up 18% of the state’s municipal solid waste stream (most goes to landfills).  To address this problem, NYS passed the Food Redistribution and Recycling law, which requires commercial establishments that produce more than 2 tons of food waste each week to donate the edible food to food banks and the food scraps for compost/anaerobic digestion.  In April, we were proud to stand with Senator Kaminsky, Assemblyman Englebright, other legislative champions, and our partners for a press conference celebrating the passage of this game-changing law.

NYS: Ban 1,4-Dioxane in Products!

Last month, we reported that 65 out of 80 common household products we tested contained hidden carcinogen 1,4-dioxane. The only way to prevent further contamination of our water resources and protect public health is to ban 1,4-dioxane from products. In April, we headed to Albany for a lobby day and press conference where we presented 12,000+ petition signatures urging our state representatives to ban 1,4-dioxane in consumer products. If you haven’t yet, find out how you can take action to support legislation banning 1,4-dioxane in household products.

Next Steps on Restoring the Western Bays

CCE, Operation SPLASH and The Nature Conservancy hosted a forum to update community members in south shore Nassau County on the plan to divert sewage from the Western Bays. It was great to hear from the scientists, local and state agencies, and wastewater experts on how far we have come with the proposal to connect the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility and Long Beach Sewage Treatment Plant to an existing ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant. We also got some important updates on the upgrades that have been made to South Shore WRF to reduce nitrogen and other pollutants entering our local waterways. Thanks to all who came out!

Expanding Bottle Recycling in CT

CCE’s Louis Burch joined legislators, municipal recycling coordinators, town mayors and first selectmen for a press conference in April urging the state to modernize the bottle bill. The 5-cent deposit on bottles is one of the most successful environmental laws in the state’s history, but it needs to be updated and expanded to improve recycling and ease the burden on municipalities faced with skyrocketing recycling costs. We are pushing to ensure legislation modernizing the bottle bill is passed in 2019.

Brookhaven Town Residents Fight Back Against Landfill

In April, residents of Brookhaven, along with teachers and parents at the Frank P. Long School, filed a lawsuit against the Town due to excessive odors and numerous health impacts from the Brookhaven Landfill. CCE has worked with residents and those at the school to fight to control odors at the landfill for years, but the Town continues to turn a blind eye to the problems faced by the community. Now, with no options left, over 20 impacted community members will be taking the Town to court.

February Newsletter

Highlights and Happenings: February 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! NYS Senate and Assembly Pass Offshore Drilling Ban, Menhaden Protection Bill

CCE joined Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Kaminsky and Assemblyman Englebright in support of two critical bills; one banning offshore oil and gas drilling in New York’s waters, and another protecting Menhaden (bunker fish), the fish that whales rely on for a primary food supply. These bills have passed the Senate and Assembly and we are looking forward to Governor Cuomo signing them into law. We thank the Senate and Assembly champions for their commitment to defending NY’s ocean and wildlife.

Victory! Long Island Sound Federal Funding Reaches Record $14.6 Million; Great Lakes Fully Funded at $300 million

Congress has passed an appropriations bill funding the Long Island Sound at a record $14 million, plus an addition $600,000 through the National Estuary Program! This is not only a much-needed $2 million increase over last year’s  funding but also comes after President Trump proposed to completely defund the Long Island Sound program in his 2019 budget. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was once again funded at $300 million, allowing efforts to clean up toxic hot spots, restore habitat, and fight invasive species to continue.  A huge thank you to our House and Senate champions who stood with the public and stakeholders and fought for this critical funding.

Victory! CT Fighting Back Against Plastic Pollution

The Hamden Legislative Town Council has voted yes to a ban on single-use plastic bags and to ban plastic straws at food service establishments throughout town! This makes Hamden the most recent in a growing list of Connecticut municipalities taking action to curb pollution from single use plastics and make the switch to reusable products.

On the state level, we attended a BYOBag press conference at Compo Beach in Westport with Surfrider, BYOCT, the CT Food Association and a bi-partisan group of Legislators including Rep. Steinberg, Rep. Lavielle, Rep. Michel, Senator Haskell and Senator Hwang . This event marked the historic 10 year anniversary of the Westport plastic bag ban and highlighted this year’s push for statewide bag ban.

Happenings

CCE Heads to Albany

CCE has been hard at work lobbing our state legislators to pass our budget and legislative priorities for 2019. We joined our partners in the fight for clean air and water in a series of lobby days this February:

• Environmental Protection Fund Lobby Day: For the past 26 years the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has invested billions in projects that protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, protect our oceans and Great Lakes, and much more.  Governor Cuomo included $300 million for the EPF in this year’s Executive Budget. CCE joined our coalition partners in Albany to urge our elected leaders to ensure at least $300 million for the EPF in the final state budget.

• Clean Water Day:  A broad coalition of organizations made up of water suppliers, waste water treatment operators, government agencies, environmental organizations, academia, construction contractors and other water stakeholders came together in Albany for our Clean Water Coalition Breakfast. After breakfast, we met with legislators from Buffalo to Montauk to discuss the immense clean water needs of New York.

• Oceans and Great Lakes Lobby Day: CCE joined the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Coalition to request $17.25 million for the Ocean and Great Lakes Program as part of a $300 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The funding goes toward various initiatives to protect our ocean and Great Lakes, including whale and turtle monitoring programs, ocean acidification research, and resiliency initiatives along the Great Lakes coast.

Pushing our CT Legislative Priorities for 2019

In early February, we testified Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee in support of bills to permanently ban hazardous fracking waste, require gas companies to limit methane gas leaks, and prohibit the release of helium balloons. Later in the month, CCE’s Louis Burch participated in a legislative panel discussion at the CT Recyclers Conference in Plantsville, CT. We highlighted some of our key solid waste reduction goals, including eliminating plastic bags, expanding the Bottle Bill (include a deposit on additional beverage containers), and implementing curbside food waste collection.

Fighting for Federal Regulation of PFOA and PFOS

We joined U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer for a press conference at our Farmingdale office to call on the EPA to regulate PFOA and PFOS, two possible carcinogens that have been found in drinking water supplies throughout the state. While NYS has recommended strict drinking water standards for these contaminants, it is critical that the federal government act to ensure the public is protected from these emerging contaminants. You can watch the press conference here.

NY Must Take Action to Fight Climate Change

The NYS Senate held a series of public hearings on the Climate and Community Protection Act, which aims to codify aggressive carbon reduction and renewable energy targets into law, ensure a just transition to renewable energy for workers and communities, and protect vulnerable coastal communities. CCE testified on Long Island, highlighting the necessity of offshore wind, large scale solar projects, and the importance of closing our outdated fossil fuel plants.  Watch CCE’s Adrienne Esposito testify here. We also testified in Syracuse, focusing on how climate change impacts the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms, contributes to the proliferation of mosquitoes and other disease-bearing insects, and puts additional stress on farmers, their crops and livestock.

Central NY: Heat Your Home Without Fossil Fuels

We are an active member of the HeatSmart CNY campaign, which has been working to help CNY residents and businesses install modern, clean geothermal systems. HeatSmart CNY is a grassroots community initiative to support residents and businesses in exploring ways to improve the efficiency of their buildings, including air source, ground source, and hot water heat pump technologies. To learn more about geothermal technologies, join us at upcoming HeatSmart events. If you own a home or business in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, or Oswego Counties, you can sign up for a free, no obligation energy assessment!

Addressing New York’s Solid Waste Crisis

At the local, state, national level—we are all experiencing a solid waste and recycling crisis. We are facing waste challenges across NYS, but we also have chance for new opportunities; a chance for new solutions, new policies, and a renewed focus on reducing our waste stream and making our communities more sustainable. CCE staff participated in the NYS DEC’s Solid Waste Management Plan stakeholder meetings to develop a new vision for handling the state’s waste. We stressed the need for increased education to “Recycle Right (only recycle what is actually recyclable!), an expanded and modernized the Bottle Bill (to include a deposit on additional beverage containers), banning plastic bags (with a fee on paper), a program to utilize extra food from large food generators (e.g. restaurants, supermarkets, institutions) for composting, anaerobic digestion, and to feed the hungry. 

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Throughout 2018 we hosted a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. We continued the series in 2019 with presentations in Holbrook, Port Jefferson, and Port Jefferson Station. Our March presentations will be at Bayport-Blue Point Library on March 7 at 7pm and at Connetquot Public Library on March 19 at 7:00pm. We hope to see you there!

January Newsletter

Highlights

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.  

Highlights

Governor Cuomo Releases Pro-Environment Budget

• Governor Cuomo's 2019-2020 Executive Budget proposal included many of our top legislative and funding priorities for the year: 

• $2.5 billion in clean water infrastructure funding.

• Increasing NY's renewable energy goal to 70% by 2030, and carbon-free electricity by 2040.•Increasing NY's offshore wind goal to 9,000 megawatts by 2035.

• Banning plastic bags and expanding the state's bottle deposit to additional beverage containers.•$300 million for the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.

• Banning offshore drilling in NY's waters.

CCE's Adrienne Esposito testified at the Legislature's budget hearing to ensure that these and other priorities are strengthened and make it into the final state budget. We will continue pushing these and other important policies, including banning 1,4-dioxane from consumer products, protecting menhaden (a fish species crucial to whale survival), fighting climate change, and more throughout the 2019 legislative session.

Suffolk County Residents Vote Yes for Sewers!

In January, the Carlls River and Forge River sewering projects were approved with 73% of the vote! In the largest sewer expansion on Long Island since the1970's, 6,500 homes in Mastic and Babylon will be connected to sewers, greatly reducing nitrogen entering our local waterways. A huge thank you to all the Suffolk residents who came out and voted for clean water. We're looking forward to seeing improved water quality, healthier fisheries, and less harmful algal blooms thanks to these much-needed sewering projects.

Working with CT's New Governor to Advance CCE Priorities

As a member of the environmental policy subcommittee, we briefed Governor Lamont and his transition team on key issues in CT, including eliminating single-use plastics, expanding food waste composting, and improving the state's recycling system. We look forward to advancing these and other key priorities in CT this year!  

Happenings

Product Testing for 1,4-Dioxane: Part II

1,4-Dioxane is hidden carcinogen lurking in an estimated 46% of personal care products, but it is not listed on their labels. Last year, we had 30 baby products, detergents, shampoos and body washes tested for the contaminant. Unfortunately, 23 out of the 30 products contained 1,4-dioxane. After releasing a report on these results, we received calls from the public asking us to test additional items, including generic and discount brands. We just sent an additional 50 products to a certified lab to be tested for 1,4-dioxane. The results will be coming this spring along with a shopper's guide of all 80 tested in total, so stay tuned!

Central NY: Stay Warm This Winter with Geothermal!

We are an active member of the HeatSmart CNY campaign, which has been working to help CNY residents and businesses install modern, clean geothermal systems. HeatSmart CNY is a grassroots community initiative to support residents and businesses in exploring ways to improve the efficiency of their buildings, including air source, ground source, and hot water heat pump technologies. To learn more about geothermal technologies, join us at upcoming HeatSmart events. If you own a home or business in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, or Oswego Counties, you can sign up for a free, no obligation energy assessment!

Fighting Ocean Acidification in NY Waters

New York waters are already showing signs of ocean acidification. This is the result of greenhouse gas emissions combined with polluted runoff from land. This acidity can negatively impact shellfish, finfish, and other marine organisms. The New York Ocean Acidification (OA) Task Force was established to ensure that the best available science is used to assess and respond to this emerging threat to New York's marine waters and fisheries. CCE attended the January task force meeting, and we will continue to monitor the task force and look forward to its plan on how to address ocean acidification in New York waters.

Reducing Plastic Pollution on the South Fork of Long Island

In January, the Town of East Hampton passed a ban on polystyrene foam containers (commonly called Styrofoam)! The Town is also considering banning the intentional release of balloons. Meanwhile, in Southampton, we testified at a public hearing last month to ban polystyrene and plastic straws. These crucial efforts will curb single-use plastics polluting our beaches, bays, and ocean on the South Fork.

Upcoming: Support a Healthy Environment and Healthy Economy at EPF Lobby Day!

A clean, healthy, and thriving environment is the backbone of economic development throughout New York. For the past 26 years, the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has invested billions to protect and restore our precious environment in every region of the state. Governor Cuomo included a fully-funded EPF at $300 million in this year's Executive Budget. This funding will support capital projects that protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, revitalize waterfronts, protect our oceans and Great Lakes, and much more. Join us in Albany on February 12 for the annual EPF Lobby Day and help us fight for a fully-funded EPF in the final state budget! Register for the EPF Lobby Day.

Upcoming: Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Throughout 2018 we hosted a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. We continued the series in 2019 with presentations in Holbrook and Port Jefferson Station. Our next forum will be at Connetquot Public Library on March 19 at 7:00pm. We hope to see you there!

December Newsletter

Highlights and Happenings: December 2018

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.  

Highlights

Working with CT Governor-Elect Lamont to Tackle Solid Waste and Recycling

Our Connecticut Program Director Louis Burch was invited by Governor-Elect Ned Lamont's transition team to participate in its environmental policy subcommittee. We are helping to identify and outline the new administration's top priorities regarding solid waste and recycling, including eliminating single-use plastics (e.g., bags), improving public education on recycling, expanding curbside food waste composting, and modernizing CT's Bottle Bill. The subcommittee unveiled its priority recommendations at a public meeting in December.

NYS Drinking Water Council Recommends Toughest Standards in the Nation for Emerging Contaminants!

The NYS Drinking Water Council has voted to set a standard of 1 ppb for 1,4-dioxane and 10 ppt for PFOS and PFOA. These will be the most rigorous drinking water standards in the nation for these harmful emerging contaminants. Long Island has the highest detected levels of 1,4-dioxane (a likely carcinogen) in the nation. PFOS and PFOA are also toxins that may cause cancer and have been detected at high levels in drinking water wells throughout NY. We look forward to NYS expeditiously adopting these stringent, enforceable standards to protect New Yorkers from harmful toxins and hopefully serve as a model for other states!  Happenings

Governor Cuomo Pledges to Make NY's Electricity 100% Carbon Neutral by 2040

We were thrilled to attend a press conference in December where Governor Cuomo announced a new goal to launch a "Green New Deal" and achieve zero carbon emissions in the electric sector by 2040. This effort builds on his 50% renewable energy by 2030 and offshore wind goals and presents a big opportunity to finally transition away from polluting fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy statewide. We look forward to learning more about the Green New Deal and fighting to advance good wind, solar, and other renewable projects.

Going Strawless for Sea Turtles

In December, we received a grant from Long Island Sound Futures Fund focused on preventing plastic pollution entering Long Island Sound. We'll be working in Nassau and Suffolk communities to educate the public on going strawless and conducting coastal cleanups, so stay tuned for more!

Central NY: Stay Warm This Winter with Geothermal!

We are an active member of the HeatSmart CNY campaign, which has been working to help CNY residents and businesses install modern, clean geothermal systems. HeatSmart CNY is a grassroots community initiative to support residents and businesses in exploring ways to improve the efficiency of their buildings, including air source, ground source, and hot water heat pump technologies. To learn more about geothermal technologies, join us at upcoming HeatSmart events. If you own a home or business in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, or Oswego, you can sign up for a free, no obligation energy assessment!

Working to Ensure Affordable Drinking Water in the City of Buffalo

From 2010 to 2017, water costs increased 41 percent across the country as water shutoffs also increased. As we work to make investments in protecting drinking water, we are also working to ensure that water remains affordable, particularly to low-income residents. In December, CCE's Brian Smith testified at a City of Buffalo Water Board hearing calling for a robust water affordability program. We commend the Water Board for moving forward with a program to provide low-income residents with a credit to ensure that their water bills don't increase in the short term; however, we recognize that this is only a first step and more needs to be done to ensure that water rates remain affordable in the years to come.

Implementing the New York State Drug Take Back Act

In 2018—with your help—we passed the monumental NYS Drug Take Back Act, which will require the pharmaceutical industry to fund a robust, statewide drug take-back program to keep drugs out of our waters and prevent drug abuse. While the law begins to take effect on January 6, 2019, much work remains to ensure that the program is effectively rolled out throughout 2019. In December, we attended a meeting held by the Governor's office and called for the program to provide convenient access to drug drop boxes for every community throughout the state.

Upcoming: Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Throughout 2018 we hosted a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. We'll be continuing the series throughout the winter and spring of 2019, and our next forum will be at Sachem Public Library on January 14 at 7:00pm. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming: Vote "Yes" to Protect the Forge, Carlls, and Connetquot Rivers

On January 22, voters who live around the Carlls, Connetquot, and Forge Rivers in Suffolk County will be able to vote on a ballot referendum that provides funding for homeowners to hook up to sewage treatment facilities. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these communities to receive $390 million in state and federal funds that will allow residents to ditch their outdated septics and cesspools and move to sewers. Join us at community meetings (below) to learn more about each project and find out if you are eligible to vote. If you live in one of the project areas, don't forget to vote "Yes" on January 22. Community meetings include:

• Forge River: January 8, 11:00am and 7:00pm, Mastic Fire Department, 1080 Mastic Road, Mastic, NY.

• Carlls River: January 10, 6:00pm, North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company, 20 Hale Road, North Babylon, NY.

• Connetquot River: January 18, 7:00pm, Timber Point Elementary School, 200 Timber Point Road, East Islip, NY.

October Newsletter

Highlights

Don't Drown Our Communities to Save NYC

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is creating a plan to combat future flooding in the New York metropolitan area, which could include massive storm barriers spanning New York Harbor, Western Long Island Sound, and other bays and tributaries. These storm surge barriers could permanently alter the landscape and health of these waterbodies and flood coastal communities in Long Island, Connecticut, and Westchester. They would also do nothing to address the real issue of climate change! In October, we worked with Congressman Tom Suozzi to get the Army Corps to hold a public meeting about its plan on Long Island. Prior to the meeting, we held a press conference with our partners at Save the Sound, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, Coalition to Protect Hempstead Harbor, and Friends of the Bay to raise concerns about this "Gates from Hell" proposal.

CCE's Adrienne Esposito Launches "Earth Witness News" Radio Show

Want to get the latest on cutting edge environmental issues from the person fighting for all of us 365 days a year? Adrienne Esposito is now hosting a radio show on WCRN 103.9 on the first Friday of the month at noon. The show premiered on October 5, and we just had another great show on November 2, featuring Carl LoBue from The Nature Conservancy discussing ocean protection. Tune in next month for more Earth Witness News!

Happenings

Showcasing Green Projects in Buffalo that Protect the Great Lakes

We were pleased to organize a tour, led by our friends at PUSH Buffalo, of green infrastructure projects in the City of Buffalo. Green infrastructure is a network of decentralized stormwater management practices, such as rain gardens, green roofs, trees, and permeable pavement, that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls. Not only is this reducing polluted runoff and sewage overflows that can pollute Lake Erie, but it is beautifying neighborhoods and creating training and employment opportunities for the community too!

Saying No to the Caithness II Power Plant on Long Island

Long Island's energy demand is stable, and PSEG has announced that renewable energy, not fossil fuels, is the most cost-effective and reliable way to meet the island's future energy needs. Despite there being no need for this project, the Town of Brookhaven has decided to allow Caithness to move forward with a 600 MW fossil fuel plant. This project will worsen the already poor air quality in Suffolk County and stifle efforts to transition to wind and solar. In October, we joined our partners in the Stop Caithness II Coalition for a press conference and rally, and then headed into Town Hall where we testified in opposition to this unnecessary, polluting power plant.

Reducing Plastic Bag Pollution in CT

CCE is a member of the Reusable Bag Alliance in Connecticut, a coalition made up of local groups working together to pursue a statewide plastic bag ban in 2019. In October, the Coalition met to discuss the problem of plastic pollution, existing strategies for encouraging reusable bag use, and potential bag ban legislation. The coalition includes members from BYO Greenwich, BYO Stamford, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the CT Food Association, and several other statewide and local environmental groups. Stay tuned for more info on how you can help get a statewide BYOBag bill passed in 2019!

Celebrating the South Shore Estuary Reserve: Boat Trip and Stewardship Awards

CCE, along with our partners in the South Shore Estuary Reserve, hosted the SSER Boat Tour and Stewardship Awards aboard the Lauren Kristy on the Great South Bay. Mr. Scott Bochner was honored for his dedication to protecting and restoring the Western Bays, fighting to upgrade the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, and consistent efforts in removing marine debris from the SSER. The other awardees were Mr. George Remmer and Mr. Richard Remmer, of the Snapper Inn, for their dedication to supporting the restoration of the South Shore Estuary Reserve, contribution to needed water quality monitoring, and generously providing resources to assist in protection efforts.

Finding Out Where Our Congressional Candidates Stand on the Environment

In October, we cosponsored and participated on a panel that asked questions in a debate between District 1 Congressman Lee Zeldin and his challenger, Perry Gershon. We found out where each candidate stands on critical Long Island environmental issues, including Plum Island protection, opposing offshore drilling, fostering renewable energy development, and reducing pollution to our ground and surface waters.

Protecting Our Drinking Water from 1,4-Dioxane

CCE is fighting for a health-based NYS drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen that has been detected at high levels in Long Island wells. Not only do we need to ban 1,4-dioxane in personal care products, but we need to treat the existing contamination to protect public health as well. In October, we attended a meeting of the NYS Drinking Water Quality Council to continue discussions on setting a state standard for 1,4-dioxane and PFOA, two emerging contaminants that are polluting drinking water in NY. We are calling for a health-based drinking water standard by the end of the year.

Calling for the Cleanup of a Long Island Superfund Site

The NYS DEC has proposed a cleanup plan for a portion of the DZUS superfund site on Long Island, located in West Islip. We attended the public meeting and submitted comments calling on the DEC to improve the proposed cleanup plan, which would remove only 19,000 cubic yards of sediment. We support Alternative 3, which provides the most comprehensive cleanup for this site. Alternative 3 will remove all of the contaminated sediment—24,000 cubic yards—at a cost of only $2 million dollars more than DEC's proposal.

Seventh Annual "Water We Going to Do?"

The Long Island Clean Water Partnership held our annual "Water We Going to Do?" Conference in October. We heard our federal, state, and local officials, as well as scientific experts, give updates on Long Island's fight against nitrogen pollution and other impairments facing our water resources. Keynote speaker Dr. Christopher Patrick offered some hope for our own waters as he discussed the success of the Chesapeake Bay restoration project. Thanks to everyone who turned out and made it our best conference yet!

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Over the summer and fall, we have been hosting a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. So far, we have held forums for residents of Huntington, Smithtown, Centereach, Cold Spring Harbor, and Riverhead, and have received a great response. Our next forum is at East Northport Public Library on November 29, and we hope to see you there!

September Newsletter

Highlights

Protecting Our Drinking Water from 1,4-Dioxane

CCE is fighting for a health-based NYS drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen that has been detected at high levels in Long Island wells. Not only do we need to ban 1,4-dioxane in personal care products, but we need to treat the existing contamination to protect public health as well. The NYS Drinking Water Council, which is charged with creating a drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane, has yet to take action. In September, we joined NYS Senators Hannon, Marcellino, and Phillips to call on NYS to set a health-based drinking water standard and mandate the removal of this harmful chemical from our drinking water.

Keeping Up the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

September was a busy and very successful month in both NY and CT in our work to prevent plastic—from tiny plastic microfibers to the ubiquitous plastic bag—from polluting our communities and treasured waters:

• Victory! Ulster Becomes First NY County to Ban Plastic Bags: The Ulster County Legislature passed a ban on single-use plastic bags, along with a 5-cent fee on paper bags, to incentivize people to BYOBag (bring your own bag). A huge thank you to Legislator Tracey Bartels and the other bill champions, who worked for years to pass a very strong BYOBag bill. Next up in Ulster: reducing plastic straws!

• Victory! Stamford, CT Bans Plastic Bags: The Stamford Board of Representatives voted yes to ban single-use plastic bags and place a 10-cent fee on paper bags! Thank you to our partners at BYO Stamford and the hundreds of people who called their legislators this September in support of the bill.

• Combating Plastic Microfibers in CT: We participated in the first meeting of the Connecticut Microfiber Working Group, a consortium of apparel industry professionals, environmental advocates, and academics working to identify the most common sources of plastic microfiber pollution and create a consumer awareness and education campaign about the problem. Up to 1.7 million tons of microfibers—often coming from clothing—enter our environment every year! We can get ahead of this problem, but the time for action is now.

• Cleaning Up the Patchogue River: We joined the National Park Service and Village of Patchogue, NY for their annual river cleanup. Although BYOBag bills in Patchogue and Suffolk (along with the polystyrene ban in Patchogue) have helped reduce plastic litter, we still have a lot of work to do to prevent plastic pollution, and cleanups are still needed.

Happenings

Another Summer of Discontent for LI Waters

CCE and our partners the Long Island Clean Water Partnership joined Dr. Chris Gobler for our end of summer report on the state of Long Island's waters. Unfortunately, harmful algal blooms plagued our bays and estuaries and posed a growing threat to our fisheries, beaches, and public health once again. Excessive nitrogen from sewage and septic systems continues to degrade our waters, but there is some good news. In some areas where nitrogen pollution has been significantly reduced, like Western Long Island Sound, we are seeing improved water quality and decreased hypoxia! If you missed it, you can still watch the whole press conference.

Restoring the Great Lakes = Big Economic Returns

A new study by the University of Michigan showed that investments in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) have resulted in a more than 3-1 return on investment. Not only is the GLRI making our lakes healthier, but it is also contributing to increased waterfront development, tourism, and home values, which all benefit the economy. The study looked at the City of Buffalo and found that Great Lakes restoration is estimated to provide more than a 4-1 return on investment in the decades to come! In September, we continued to fight for full funding of the GLRI, despite attempts by the President to slash funding for the critical program.

Pushing for Better Recycling in CT

CCE's Louis Burch was elected to the Connecticut Recycling Coalition (CRC) board at the CRC's annual business meeting in Branford, CT. CRC's membership includes corporate, municipal, institutional, and private members working to advance Connecticut's recycling and materials management programs and services on both the local and state levels. Formed in 1989, CRC assists members in improving the efficacy of their own programs, educating the community and advocating policies and programs that make recycling more effective, economical, and robust throughout the state. We're excited to join the CRC and advance recycling in CT!

Celebrating Long Island's Estuaries

In September, CCE joined our partners in Long Island water protection for Estuary Day at Seatuck Environmental Association in Islip. The event brought together diverse groups to celebrate the beauty and natural resources of Long Island's Estuaries of National Significance. The public had an opportunity to participate in a coastal cleanup, wildlife hikes, and information sessions to learn more about our local communities' efforts to protect Long Island's coastal waterways. We were delighted to collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extension to give a presentation on our Sound Gardening program, with information on how homeowners can make landscaping choices that better protect Long Island's water for the future!

NY: We Want Offshore Wind

This summer, Governor Cuomo announced that NYS will be procuring 800 MW of offshore wind by 2019 as part of the State's goal of reaching 2,400 MW by 2030. Last month, CCE joined our environmental and labor partners at meetings held by NYSERDA in NYC and Long Beach to learn more about the plan to bring offshore wind to NY. Before the Long Beach meeting, we joined Senator Todd Kaminsky for a great press conference on the need to move forward with responsibly-sited wind projects and move away from fossil fuels.

CCE's Adrienne Esposito Wins HSBC Cares Customer of the Year Award

At a ceremony held at Gotham Hall, in New York City, HSBC Cares awarded CCE Executive Director Adrienne Esposito with its Customer of the Year for Environment Award. HSBC Cares is a program by HSBC Bank that recognizes community heroes. Adrienne was recognized as an HSBC customer who has made a significant contribution to protecting communities against environmental threats that imperil our air, water, and land.

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Over the summer and fall, we have been hosting a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. So far, we have held forums for residents of Huntington, Smithtown, Centereach, Cold Spring Harbor, and Riverhead and have received a great response. Our next forum is at East Northport Public Library on November 29, and we hope to see you there!

August Newsletter

Highlights

Brookhaven Residents and Teachers Sue Over Landfill

After years of suffering health impacts and diminished quality of life due to unbearable odors from the Brookhaven Landfill, community members, teachers, and parents have filed a lawsuit against the Town. CCE joined plaintiffs and lawyers at a press conference announcing that 25 plaintiffs filed a Notice of Claim, which means the Town has 90 days to respond before the lawsuits get filed in NYS Supreme Court. This action is an act of last resort because the Town has ignored requests to meet. At Frank P. Long School, 35 out of 105 staff members have been diagnosed with cancer.

Happenings

Improving Water Quality in Long Island Sound

As summer ends we are gearing up for the 2019 budget and urging our NYS leaders to push for critical funding and legislation to protect Long Island Sound. We attended a public hearing held by NYS Assembly Members Englebright and D'Urso in August focusing on improving water quality in Long Island Sound. CCE pushed our NYS leaders on Long Island Sound to champion priority legislation, including banning 1,4-dioxane in products, allowing Nassau and Suffolk Counties to create reoccurring revenue streams for sewage and septic upgrades, prohibiting offshore drilling, funding water quality monitoring in North Shore embayments, and passing a comprehensive Bring Your Own Bag bill to prevent plastic pollution.

Resisting EPA Attacks on the Environment

August was a busy month in our work to fight back against federal rollbacks to policies that protect public health and the environment. We weighed in against EPA's ill-conceived proposal to repeal the Clean Water Rule, which was established in 2015 to protect the streams and wetlands that support drinking water for 117 million Americans. We also opposed a proposed EPA policy that would restrict the use of sound science when establishing or evaluating policies, which in practice would make it easier for EPA to weaken or repeal regulations thoughtfully crafted to address a variety of key issues from climate change, to pesticides, to protecting children from lead in paint. 

Pushing for Better Recycling in CT

Connecticut is the epicenter of the U.S. reverse-vending industry, and CCE and our partners are committed to modernizing the state's bottle bill in 2019! In August, CCE and other members of the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition took a tour of Envipco's headquarters in Naugatuck. We got a firsthand glimpse of the company's state of the art manufacturing facility and an opportunity to check out the newest advancements in container-redemption technology.

Breaking the Plastic Habit at Alive After 5 in Patchogue

CCE joined tens of thousands Long Islanders at Alive After 5 in Patchogue this August for a great night of food, drinks, and live music. We joined our partners in the fight against plastic pollution to educate the public on the threat single-use plastics pose to marine life and urged people go plastic-free with pasta straws, reusable utensils, and reusable bags. Thanks to all of our partners at the event, who came with great games for kids, live animals, and giveaways. Patchogue has already banned plastic bags and polystyrene, but we can all still remember to #skipthestraw and stop using other single-use plastics to protect our lakes and bays!

Creating a Cleaner, Low-Carbon Transportation Future for NY

In Syracuse, we joined the discussion of potential policy approaches and strategies to bring about a cleaner and more resilient transportation future in New York. The NYSDEC, NYSERDA, and NYSDOT held regional stakeholder discussions to encourage conversations about clean transportation. We discussed the need to reduce climate change emissions, expand access to electric vehicles, and curb harmful air pollution from transportation.

Creating an Artificial Reef off the Coast of Hempstead, NY

CCE was pleased to join Governor Andrew Cuomo to witness the creation of an artificial reef in a 744-acre site off the south shore of Long Island. New York State is embarking on the largest artificial reef expansion in state history, expanding a total of 12 artificial reefs, which include two reefs in Long Island Sound, two in the Great South Bay, and eight in the Atlantic Ocean. The reef expansions are made out of recycled structures including rock, concrete, and steel, which settle to the sea floor and create new habitat for larger fish like blackfish, black seabass, cod, and summer flounder, as well as encrusting creatures like barnacles, sponges, anemones, corals, and mussels. We're excited to see how these recycled structures create habitats similar to natural reefs over time.

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System

Over the summer and fall, we are hosting a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents secure grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. So far, we have held forums for Huntington and Riverhead residents and have received a great response. Our next forum is at Smithtown Library at 7pm on September 24, and we hope to see you there!

Improving Fish Habitat in the Carmans River

We were thrilled to participate in the signing of a Suffolk County resolution that will appropriate $1 million toward the completion of the Carmans River Fish Ladder Project, which will open up the last remaining barrier to fish passage on the Carmans River in Yaphank. As one of Long Island's Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers, the Carmans has long been a top destination for anglers. This project will open up approximately six miles of river and lake habitat for alewife, eels, and various trout species.

"The Health and Science of Our Bays: A Fire Island Perspective"

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Village of Saltaire for our "The Health and Science of Our Bays: A Fire Island Perspective" public forum. We were joined by environmental and governmental experts from the United States Geological Survey, Suffolk County Health Department, and The Nature Conservancy to discuss Fire Island's water quality challenges and solutions.

July Newsletter

Highlights

Victory! Governor Cuomo Signs Drug Take Back Act into Law

Governor Cuomo signed the Drug Take Back Act into law, which will help keep unused drugs out of the hands of abusers and out of our treasured water resources. This landmark bill ensures that the multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical industry—not the taxpayers—will fund a robust, statewide program to provide all New Yorkers with convenient access to safe pharmaceutical drug disposal options. It requires that all chain pharmacies provide a safe drug disposal option for customers and allows police precincts and independent pharmacies to also participate. In July, we celebrated this victory at a press conference with the bill's champion, Senator Kemp Hannon.

Victory! Governor Malloy Signs Improved Sewage Right to Know Law

CCE joined CT Governor Dannel Malloy as he signed a bill strengthening the state's Sewage Right to Know Law. CCE successfully advocated for CT's Sewage Right to Know Law in 2012, which aimed to mandate that residents be notified when a sewage overflow occurs in their area. That law had fallen short in providing all residents in every community with convenient access to timely information on sewage overflows, which is why CCE fought for an improved bill this year. Now, all wastewater treatment plant operators are required to report sewage overflows electronically, making the information available to the public online. The law also requires plant operators to notify municipal leaders about sewage overflows in their communities so those leaders can take actions to protect their residents. A huge thank you to everyone who helped get this necessary public health protection law passed!

CCE Releases 1,4-Dioxane Shoppers Guide

Since the release of our report on widespread 1,4-dioxane contamination in Long Island drinking water last year, concerned residents have asked what personal care products put them at risk of exposure to 1,4-dioxane. This contaminant is a byproduct of manufacturing and is not listed on product labels, so CCE went to work to find the answer! We had 30 personal care products, including shampoos, bath soaps, baby products, and detergents, independently tested for 1,4-dioxane. Of the 30 products, 23 tested positive for the contaminant! To find out which products had high levels of 1,4-dioxane and learn more about our fight to protect public health and our drinking water from this emerging contaminant, check out our shopper's guide.

Happenings

Fighting the Trump Administration's Rollbacks to Endangered Species Protections

In July, CCE's Louis Burch joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal at a press conference condemning the Trump administration's plan to roll back critical provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). For the last 45 years, the ESA has effectively helped identify and protect more than 2,300 endangered plant and animal species and their habitats. We cannot afford to lose these crucial protection measures and put our endangered species at further risk.

Ending the Use of Dirty Coal and Fighting Climate Change in New York State

We attended public hearings in WNY and in Albany on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's proposed rule to phase out the use of dirty coal power in the state by 2020! We spoke in support of these first-in-the-nation regulations and provided recommendations to make the regulations even stronger by ensuring that the retired coal plants do not repower with fracked gas.

What Causes NY's Worst Cancer Clusters?

Governor Cuomo has announced a new cancer research initiative focusing on exploring environmental factors that contribute to high rates of cancer in certain New York communities. The study focuses on four regions: the western part of the state surrounding Erie County, the eastern part of the state surrounding Warren County, Staten Island, and an area of Long Island including Selden, Farmingville, and Centereach. CCE attended a community meeting on Long Island to discuss the new initiative, the toll high cancer rates have taken on families and communities, and potential environmental issues that contribute to this problem locally.

Creating a Living Barrier Reef in Lido Beach, NY

CCE's Maureen Dolan Murphy joined Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen, Senator Todd Kaminsky, Town Councilwoman Erin King-Sweeney, and Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana to launch a living barrier reef around Long Meadow Island, off the coast of Lido Beach on Long Island. The reef is composed of tens of thousands of discarded clam and oyster shells from nearby seafood restaurants. Hundreds of mesh bags containing the discarded shells were linked together and submerged in the Western Bays to restore wetlands and encourage proliferation of oysters and clams.

Saying No to Fracking Waste

Fracking waste threatens our land, water, and health. To help educate municipal recyclers on the dangers of hazardous fracking waste, CCE moderated a panel discussion at the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition Breakfast Series. We joined state and local elected officials, other environmental advocates, and oil and gas industry experts to discuss the potential impacts this fracking waste poses to our communities and our environment.

Restoring Canaan Lake in Patchogue, NY

Canaan Lake in Patchogue was dying, overrun by invasive species and experiencing algal blooms due to excessive nitrogen pollution. The only way to restore water quality in the lake was to drain it, dredge the lake bed to remove any remaining stems and roots of invasive plants, and allow it to refill with groundwater. The first step of this process, draining the lake, has been completed. In July, we joined Suffolk County Executive Bellone, Legislator Calarco, and community leaders to announce that the County has approved the funding for the second step, dredging the lake bed. We look forward to a restored, pristine Canaan Lake for Long Island soon!

Suffolk County Residents: Change Out Your Septic System (and Make a Short Film)

Over the summer and fall, CCE is hosting a series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septic systems and cesspools. We will be helping residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems through Suffolk County's Reclaim Our Water program. So far, we have held forums for Huntington and Riverhead residents and have received a great response, but community meetings aren't the only way to get out the word on this important issue. Want to help us educate the public on water protection, show off your creativity, and possibly win a cash prize? Reclaim Our Water is holding a film contest and asking residents to make short videos (15 seconds to 1 minute) on the importance of improving our water resources. First prize is $2,000! Learn more about the contest and how to enter.

Upcoming: "The Health and Science of Our Bays: A Fire Island Perspective"

CCE will be co-hosting a forum titled "The Health and Science of Our Bays: A Fire Island Perspective" on August 17, from 10:00–11:30am, at the firehouse at 105 Broadway Walk, in the Village of Saltaire. It will be a discussion with environmental and governmental experts on water quality challenges and solutions. Speakers include Adrienne Esposito from CCE and representatives from the United States Geological Survey, Suffolk County Health Department, and The Nature Conservancy.