A federal appeals court today scuttled New York State’s hope of blocking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from establishing a new open water disposal site for dredged sediments in eastern Long Island Sound.
Water advisory for homeowners: Could your well water be making you sick?
Officials in West Baltimore, Maryland, recently issued an advisory after E. coli bacteria was detected in public water systems after routine water testing.
Plan seeks to preserve 'ecological wonderland' of South Shore
Governor Hochul Announces Plan for Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve
Comprehensive Management Plan Provides a Guide to Protect Water Quality, Living Resources and Public Use for Years to Come
Coincides with Climate & National Estuaries Week
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of the 2022 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan update. The plan focuses on current priorities facing the South Shore Estuary Reserve, such as climate change, resiliency, water quality, habitat restoration and public use of the estuary. The Final 2022 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan Update is available here. This announcement coincides with National Estuaries Week and Climate Week.
Almost Half a Million New Yorkers Drinking PFAS-Polluted Water, Left Out of Current and Proposed NYS Protections
South Shore Estuary Reserve Plan Spotlights Water Quality, Resiliency
The comprehensive plan is a guide to the protection of water quality for generations in the estuary, a "gem," of LI, officials say.
LONG ISLAND, NY — Environmentalists gathered Monday to applaud the 2022 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve comprehensive management plan, which they said will protect water quality and habitat restoration, and ensure resiliency and public use, with an eye toward climate change in the years to come.
Nonprofits on receiving end of more than $600G in grants from Melville foundation
Plan to build new rail line for ash, debris hauling under review
'They're worried about cancer.' Suffolk residents push for project to have access to safe drinking water
Study: 'Water sharing' between NYC, Nassau faces hurdles
A possible $2 billion project to tap into New York City’s water supply to provide all of Nassau County’s drinking water would face "significant challenges" and could take up to 15 years to complete, although a scaled-down plan is "feasible," according to a new state Department of Health study obtained by Newsday.
Riverhead to seek more water extension grants, as patience of Manorville residents wears thin
Highlights and Happenings: August 2022
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
Victory! U.S. Passes Historic Climate and Energy Bill into Law
After a long campaign by CCE and partners across the nation, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which undoubtedly represents the most significant action that our nation has taken to fight climate change. The investments made under this law will help the U.S. reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, while increasing clean renewable energy, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, providing clean transportation in disadvantaged communities, supporting sustainable farming, and lowering energy costs for all Americans. Thank you to our Senate and House champions from NY and CT for fighting to pass this vital legislation.
NY Receives Crucial Funding to Plug Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells!
New York has documented more than 7,000 orphan oil and gas wells in the state—largely in WNY and the Southern Tier— although state agencies estimate there may be as many as 34,000. These wells leak methane (a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change) and toxic chemicals that pollute groundwater. As part of the initial grant program under the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New York received $25 million last month to plug and remediate documented orphan wells in the state, while creating thousands of jobs.
Happenings
Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act on November’s Ballot in NY
On November 8th, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on Prop 1: The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act. It has been 26 years since the last environmental bond act was adopted. This year’s Bond Act will provide necessary and overdue investments to solve pressing public health and environmental problems from the Great Lakes to Long Island. If enacted, the Bond Act will allocate $4.2 billion to a variety of critical environmental programs and projects across four categories: water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure, restoration and flood risk management, open space land conservation, and climate change mitigation. Additionally, the Bond Act will provide crucial support for New York’s economy—supporting over 100,000 jobs. We are working around the state to educate the public on the benefits of this important funding and reminding everyone to flip your ballot in November and vote on Prop 1!
Checking out Canadian Hydropower
Last month, we took an educational trip with New York League of Conservation Voters to James Bay to visit Hydro-Québec’s hydropower facilities. Existing Canadian hydropower is slated to help New York reach our clean energy goals, diversify our energy sources, and reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels. We learned a lot and can’t wait to see hydropower replace our local fossil fuel peaker plants in downstate NY.
Tell us Your Thoughts on Offshore Wind
We are working throughout the state to educate residents, environmental stakeholders, and policymakers on offshore wind. To help guide our education campaign and help us provide feedback to key decision makers, we’re asking you to please fill out a brief survey. Let us know your thoughts on offshore wind.
Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms
Summer isn’t over quite yet, and it’s still important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs) as we spend time by the water. HABs pose 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 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!
Tell Us What YOU Think About Offshore Wind
Please Fill Out a Brief Survey Today.
Ensure Your Voice is Heard!
We are working throughout the state to educate residents, environmental stakeholders, and policymakers on offshore wind. New York has committed to 70% renewable energy by 2030 and offshore wind will be a key part of achieving that goal (NY has committed to a goal of 9GW of offshore wind by 2035—enough to power 6 million homes). The state’s first offshore wind farm is currently under construction and there are four more offshore wind projects moving through the permitting process. As offshore wind becomes a reality for New York, we want to hear from you!
To help guide our educational campaign and help us provide feedback to key decision makers, we’re asking you to please fill out a brief survey. Let us know your thoughts on offshore wind.
Thank you for taking action,
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
U.S. Senate Passes Historic Climate and Energy Bill!
CCE applauds bold climate measure; lauds leadership provided by Senator Schumer
For immediate release: Monday, August 8, 2022
For more information, contact: Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org, 516-390-7150
Farmingdale, NY—This weekend, the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which will provide $369 billion for climate action—the largest such investment in U.S. history. In response to the Senate’s passage of the bill, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), released the following statement:
“We applaud the U.S. Senate for this historic step forward in our nation’s efforts to combat the climate crisis. This is undoubtedly the most significant action our nation has taken to fight climate change. The bill help the U.S. reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, while investing in clean renewable energy, supporting environmental justice communities, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering energy costs for all Americans. This is legislation that really does leave us better off tomorrow than we are today. We recognize that this long-term effort to broker a deal on the climate bill in the Senate would not have been possible without the unwavering support and leadership provided by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. New Yorkers are on the front lines for serious climate change impacts, and we want to thank Senator Schumer for being a climate change warrior! This bill leaves a legacy of positive change for our nation and the next generation. Next, we look forward to the U.S. House taking swift action to pass the bill and send it to the President for his signature.”
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New York Glides Forward Towards Offshore Wind & Renewable Energy Goals
NYS announces third offshore wind solicitation
New York State is launching its third offshore wind solicitation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday that the state seeks to procure 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy that would power at least 1.5 million New York homes.
Governor Hochul Announces New York's Third Offshore Wind Solicitation to Accelerate Clean Energy Development
Seeks to Procure at Least 2,000 Megawatts of Renewable Energy, Enough to Power 1.5 Million Homes
Implements Nation-Leading $500 Million Offshore Wind Infrastructure Investment,
New Commitments to Support U.S. Iron and Steel, Stakeholder Engagement, Jobs, and Workforce Development
Flagship Transmission Design Enhances Grid Resiliency and Promotes Regional Offshore Wind Transmission Designs
Supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035
PSEG LI investigates cause of dialectic fluid leak near Northport
Northport Village rain gardens help improve water quality, keep harbor clean, officials say
Along a stretch atop Bluff Point Road in Northport Village, three areas on the roadside now thrive with a variety of native plants and flowers.
The vegetation of shrubs and flowers includes purple coneflower and fox sedge grass and are designed to be a green solution to address water pollution, said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Farmingdale-based Citizens Campaign for the Environment. The gardens capture and filter contaminants from polluted stormwater runoff before they enter Northport Harbor and eventually Long Island Sound. Rain gardens, environmentalists say, help improve water quality and keep the harbor clean.
Highlights and Happenings: July 2022
Image by Heiko Stein from Pixabay
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
Victory! $255 Million Going to Fix Water Infrastructure
We joined Governor Kathy Hochul in July for an exciting announcement on clean water funding. New York state will be issuing $255 million in grants for clean water programs across the state, including funding for upgrading sewage treatment plants and addressing emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane, in drinking water. This also includes $20 million for Suffolk County and $2 million for Nassau County to replace antiquated septic systems. This is great news for clean water!
$2.6 Billion Coming to New York to Replace Dangerous Lead Pipes
We joined with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in Buffalo to highlight historic funding coming to New York to replace lead drinking water pipes. The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill will provide $2.6 billion in federal funding to help improve water infrastructure and replace the roughly 360,000 lead service pipes across New York State. There are approximately 100 miles of lead pipes in Buffalo that provide water to 60% of the homes, and Buffalo suffers from some of the highest rates of childhood lead exposure in the nation.
Victory! Suffolk County Votes YES on Offshore Wind
Last month, the Suffolk County Legislature passed two bills that allow the Sunrise Wind cable connection infrastructure to be installed underground in county parkland and roadways—enabling the project to bring renewable energy to over half a million homes! Based on the environmental impact review, the cable infrastructure would be minimally disruptive to county parkland and roads and would not cause significant or long-term environmental or community impacts. Thank you to all who came out and testified in support of offshore wind for Suffolk. For more offshore wind updates and ways to get involved, check out Wind Works.
Happenings
Fighting to Protect Long Island Sound
Each year, we head down to D.C. for our Long Island Sound Education Day with our coalition partners to talk about the issues facing the Long Island Sound, an Estuary of National Significance. We had great meetings with our U.S. Senate and House members from New York and Connecticut and all agreed investing in LI Sound is a wise investment. Cleaner waters, robust fish populations, opening shellfish beds, schools of dolphins, and the return of the Bald Eagle all demonstrate our success so far, but more needs to be done to address climate change and combat nitrogen pollution. Thanks to all our LI Sound protection partners for a very productive D.C. trip!
Fighting to Preserve Plum Island
We have fought for years to preserve Plum Island, an 840 acre, largely undeveloped island in Long Island Sound that serves as a critical habitat for birds and has tremendous ecological value. We are urging the Biden administration to designate Plum Island as a National Monument, ensuring that wildlife is protected, cultural and historical values are maintained, and people are able to enjoy this unique ecosystem for generations to come. If you haven’t yet, send an email to the administration in support of permanently preserving Plum Island.
EPA Must Ban Unnecessary Uses of Neonic Pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing the safety of several neonic pesticides and is anticipated to complete the review by late 2022. EPA won't be required to review these toxic chemicals again for another fifteen years! They must take the opportunity with this current review to ban harmful and unnecessary uses of neonic pesticides in order to protect pollinators, water quality, human health, and our environment. Email EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan today and urge him to ban unnecessary and harmful uses of neonics!
Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms
As we hit the height of summer, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose 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 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!
