Highlights and Happenings: April 2022

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Highlights

Victory! New York Passes Historic Environmental Budget 
Governor Hochul and New York State legislature passed the final 2022-23 state budget, providing historic investments in protecting our environment. Some of our top priorities for the year made it into the final budget, including: 

• Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act ($4.2 billion): The largest environmental bond act in the state’s history, and the first since 1996, this bond act will invest in climate mitigation, clean water, flood risk reduction, open space, environmental justice, and improved recreational opportunities—while supporting nearly 100,000 jobs. New Yorkers will vote on the bond act in November.

• Environmental Protection Fund (EPF): Funded at an all-time high of $400 million, with increased funding for Great Lakes and ocean protection, protecting open space, fighting climate change, and more!

• Clean Water Infrastructure Act: Includes $500 million to upgrade aging and failing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, while also protecting the sources of our drinking water.

• Wetlands Protection: After nearly two decades of advocacy by CCE and our partners, the freshwater wetlands program was updated and will protect an additional one million acres of critical wetlands across the state.

• Offshore Wind Investment: The budget provides $500 million to support the offshore wind supply chain and support job growth in offshore wind industry.

East Coast’s Largest Anaerobic Digester Breaks Ground on Long Island 
After 10 years of work, the anaerobic digester in Yaphank, Long Island, broke ground in April! We joined American Organic Energy, Suffolk County Executive Bellone, and our community partners for the groundbreaking ceremony. This facility marks a change in the way we think about food waste on Long Island by converting 180,000 tons of food scraps and create 6 megawatts of locally generated renewable energy. Recycling food waste and fighting climate change is a win for NY! 

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Happenings

We Are One Step Closer to Banning Unnecessary Uses of Toxic Neonic Pesticides 
In April, we joined advocates from across the state in Albany to build support for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which was recently passed by the NYS Assembly! This bill will ban the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as cosmetic uses on lawns and golf courses. A diverse coalition, made up of environmental organizations, health care professionals, and organic farmers, worked for several years to advance the bill. We applaud Assemblyman Steve Englebright for sponsoring and championing this bill and the NYS Assembly, and now look forward to continuing our work with the Senate bill sponsor and champion, Senator Brad Hoylman, to pass this bill through the Senate before session ends on June 2. 

Supporting a Strong Climate Plan for New York State 
New York State has the most aggressive climate law in the nation, requiring 70% renewable energy by 2030, carbon-free electricity by 2040, and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The state’s Climate Action Council has developed a draft scoping plan to implement these ambitious and critical goals. We recently attended public hearings on the plan in Buffalo and on Long Island, providing support and calling for improvements to the plan. Look for an email alert from us soon with more information and tips to submit your own written comments! 

Check out our newly released Offshore Wind Roundtable Discussions 
Long Island is on the front lines of climate change and is already seeing the impacts of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ocean acidification and more. The good news is that we are also in the midst of a massive shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, especially offshore wind. We sat down with our partners in labor and leading environmental experts for two roundtable discussions on the benefits of offshore wind for Long Island. Learn more and check out the videos here. 

Clean Energy Will Soon Be on the Way to NYC 
The NY Public Service Commission voted 5-2 last month to approve Clean Path New York and Hydro-Quebec's Champlain Hudson Power Express, two transmission projects that will deliver a combined 2500+ MW of renewable power to the downstate NY grid and significantly slash harmful emissions in NYC. Want to learn more about these two important projects? Check out our Lunch and Learn series on each proposal, co-hosted with New York League of Conservation Voters: Bringing Hydropower to NY and Clean Path NY.

Celebrating Earth Day 2022 
In celebration of Earth Day, advocates from across New York came together to voice their support for a comprehensive legislative agenda to protect our water, land, and pollinators; improve recycling, reduce toxics, and fight climate change! CCE joined the efforts in Albany and virtually and were successful in passing several of priority bills through the Assembly and Senate. We had a very busy Earth Week and some of our favorite events were when we: 

• Joined Congressman Tom Suozzi and our Long Island Sound protection partners to celebrate $31 million in federal funding for Long Island Sound, $1 million for North Hempstead Beach Park, $1 million for Glen Coves Nancy Court pump station, and $300,000 for shellfish seeding in Hempstead Harbor.

• Joined best-selling author Keith O’Brien in Niagara Falls as he spoke about his new book Paradise Falls, which tells the human story behind the environmental disaster at Love Canal.

• Attended an event with Governor Hochul to highlight the environmental victories in this year’s budget, including an all-time high Environmental Protection Fund and $4.2 billion environmental bond act.

• Supported our friends at the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO for an event honoring Attorney General Leticia James and Roger Clayman.

• Hosted a Lunch and Learn with the NY League of Conservation Voters and NYSERDA president Doreen Harris to discuss the latest on offshore wind in New York.

• Had a great time at “What’s Brewin’ Offshore?” at the Brickhouse Brewery in Patchogue, where we co-hosted a fun and informational session about everything offshore wind and jobs it will create.

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Upcoming: Protecting Long lsland Sound 
We are working with our partners at The Nature Conservancy and Save the Sound to host a 3-part webinar series “Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution” to discuss, convene, and share solutions to marine debris, nitrogen, and fecal bacteria pollution. Last month we kicked off the series with our first webinar “Local Actions to Tackle Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution”. The May 12th webinar will include presentations and a panel on nitrogen pollution and reduction practices in the Sound, including: 

• Residential Lawn Fertilizer Use and Nitrogen Loading 

• Healthy Lawns, Health River Fertilizer Reduction Campaign 

• Collaborating to Speed Up Clean Water Implementation on Long Island’s North Shore 

Each webinar will allow time for a question-and-answer session with the panelists and technical break-out groups for those that want to take a deeper dive into pollution issues. Register now! 

New Yorkers Need Leadership from State Legislators to Increase Recycling, Reduce Landfilling, and fight Climate Change

National and State Not-for-Profit and Non-Governmental Organizations Join Together to Say Pass Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation in 2022 and Take the Burden off Taxpayers and Communities

ALBANY, NY (May 3, 2022) – The New York State legislature has less than a month left this session to remove the economic burden of hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers and municipalities by passing extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation.  EPR is a strategy that mandates producers’ responsibility for their packaging by making them financially accountable for its end-of-life.  In addition to its economic benefits, EPR will also bring universal curbside recycling to all New Yorkers and make it as easy to recycle as throw something away, which positively impacts the climate, reduces waste destined for disposal, and cleans up our communities. State and national leaders from Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York Product Stewardship Council, and The Recycling Partnership have joined together to bring to the forefront that there is no better time in New York’s history to make as big an impact on the state’s recycling system as there is now.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent report on the limited time the world has left to halt the most dire impacts of climate change has made it clear we are all in a now or never moment and under the state’s landmark climate law, the Climate Action Council has included packaging producer responsibility in its list of policy tools to address New York’s solid waste problems and reduce GHG emissions. Expanding convenient and simplified recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers will collectively contribute to a reduction in GHG emissions by reducing the use of virgin materials in new products, driving a circular economy by using post-consumer materials, and expanding access to recycling to all New Yorkers. Now is the time for New York’s legislative leaders to step up and make history by overhauling and improving the state’s recycling system.

The following statement can be attributed to the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York Product Stewardship Council, and The Recycling Partnership:

“On behalf of New York’s 20 million people, we strongly urge the New York Legislature to take advantage of the momentum that producer responsibility has in the state and across the country and pass it this year. Governor Hochul and the NYS Senate included EPR language in their respective budget proposals, although the policy was not included in the final budget agreement. Now, with Senator Kaminsky recently advancing EPR legislation (S.1185C) out of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and Assemblyman Englebright expected to introduce new EPR legislation imminently, we are urging the legislature and Governor to get a strong, well-designed EPR bill passed and signed into law this year. We have discussed these concepts for years. The time is NOW to empower all New Yorkers with adequate access to recycling.”

“We are at a tipping point with the state’s solid waste crisis, and we can’t afford to wait another year to address it. We are counting on the Senate and Assembly to come together and pass a strong EPR bill this session,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). “The cost of waste disposal has skyrocketed and the amount of waste we generate continues to grow. Continuing with the status quo is no longer an option for local governments or our environment. Instead of putting the onus on taxpayers to foot the bill for corporations’ excessive and unrecyclable packaging, we need to hold those corporations responsible for reducing their packaging waste and making it easier to recycle.”

“The people of New York deserve the chance to live more sustainable lives, and a thoughtful, well-designed bill would deliver recycling to every New Yorker,” says Keefe Harrison, CEO of the national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership, which recently supported the significant expansion of Cohoes’ curbside recycling program. “This is about equity and a cleaner future for our children.”

Patrick McClellan, Director of Policy for the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "We have a waste crisis in our state, and we need to take the burden off residents and local governments. Passing extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation will support municipalities by holding producers accountable for their environmental impact, reducing waste, and ensuring every New Yorker is able to divert their recyclable waste from the landfill. The New York League of Conservation Voters urges the Assembly and Senate to pass strong EPR legislation before the end of session on June 2nd."

“Taxpayers and municipalities in New York are subsidizing an inefficient recycling infrastructure.  Engaging producers of packaging will provide a much needed ‘reboot’ of our existing system through expanded opportunities that provide greater access, financial support, and modernization to budge our stagnant recycling rates,” said Dawn Timm, Chair of the New York Product Stewardship Council.   “By shifting the financial burden to packaging producers, we eliminate the vulnerability local government programs are experiencing due to volatile recycling markets.  New York’s packaging proposal will divert millions of tons of valuable recyclables out of our landfills and incorporate into new packages, support thousands of jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and positively impact the climate.”

“Poll after poll shows that Americans want to recycle more. We encourage New Yorkers to reach out to their Assemblymembers and Senators now and tell them you want packaging EPR. You want recycling to be easy. You want to recycle more, pay less to do so, and protect the environment. We urge the New York Legislature to act this year and not waste this unique opportunity to make a difference in accordance with New York’s Climate Action Plan.”

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To Bee or Not To Bee? That is the Question.

New York Assembly Votes Yes and We Are One Step Closer to Banning Unnecessary Uses of Toxic Neonic Pesticides

Advocates Created a BUZZ in Albany and Neonics will feel the Sting

For immediate release: April 27, 2022

Albany, NY – This week, advocates from across the state came together in Albany to build support for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which was just passed by the NYS Assembly. This law would ban the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental uses such as on lawns, gardens, and golf courses. A diverse coalition, made up of environmental organizations, health care professionals, and organic farmers worked for several years to advance the bill.

“The birds are chirping and the bees are buzzing with praise for our Assembly members taking action to address toxic neonic pesticides.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Neonics not only threaten our pollinators, but also contaminate our entire environment. From Long Island to the Great Lakes, neonics are contaminating our water resources and are often found at high levels. By eliminating the high-risk/low benefit uses of this pesticide, we can protect our pollinators, water quality, health, and environment. CCE applauds Assemblyman Steve Englebright for sponsoring and championing this bill and the NYS Assembly for passing the Birds and Bees Protection Act. We look forward to continuing our work with the Senate bill sponsor and champion, Senator Hoylman, in moving this bill through the Senate”.

Neonicotinoids (A.K.A. “neonics”) are pesticides that attack the nervous system of insects. These pesticides largely added as a seed coating to plants, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans and used as a spray for ornamental plants and turf. As a seed coating these chemicals persist and spread as the plant grows, making the entire plant toxic to bees and other pollinators.  Neonics also threaten New York’s water resources, food security, and public health.

The harmful overuse of neonics has devastated pollinator populations across the globe and in New York. These pollinator losses have been attributed to the sudden spike in use of neonics, mainly from treated seeds. Corn, soybean, and wheat treated seeds account for over 73% of all neonics used in New York and ornamental uses make up an additional 15%. According to a 2020 report by Cornell University, these uses provide no net income benefit to users yet pose some of the highest risks to pollinators.

The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.699C/A.7429A) would ban these low benefit/high risk uses of neonics in NY. This will eliminate at least 85% - 90% of all neonics used in New York, protect water quality, and ensure we are not poisoning our birds, bees, and pollinators from this toxic pesticide.

Learn about the Empire Wind Offshore Wind Projects

Join CCE, Wind Works Long Island, and Equinor for community meetings to learn more about these exciting offshore wind projects

Empire Wind 1 and 2, which will be located off the south shore of Long Island, will power over a million homes with renewable energy. These projects are crucial to assisting New York’s transition from fossil fuels to offshore wind and we are working to ensure that the community has voice in these projects.  CCE and Wind Works Long Island are co-hosting workshops with Equinor (the developer for the projects) in Long Beach and Island Park to educate Long Islanders about the Empire Wind projects and Empire Wind 2 cable connection into Nassau County. These meetings are free, open to the public, and in-person. 

Date: May 3, 2022 
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm 
Location: Long Beach City Hall, 6th Floor, Long Beach, NY 11561 
RSVP: Click here to register (Please register early as space is limited) 

Date: May 4, 2022 
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm 
Location: Island Park Library, 176 Long Beach Rd, Island Park, NY 11558 
RSVP: Click here to register (Please register early as space is limited) 

The workshops will provide an overview of the projects and the role they will play in helping Long Island move from fossil fuels to offshore wind. The events will be an opportunity to learn about project details and the permitting process, meet the project team, share what is most important to you, and engage with experts on a range of topics covering the potential impacts and benefits associated with the environment, jobs, community benefits, rates, viewsheds, fisheries, and marine logistics.  

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE