BABYLON, N.Y. -- Long Island has more than 70 miles of South Shore bays often teeming with boats. However, water quality has been declining for years, impacting fishing and recreation.
VIDEO SOURCE:
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/long-islands-waterways-vx49zeem
New York's Deputy Secretary of State Kisha Santiago-Martinez was in the Town of Babylon at the Cedar Beach Marina to announce a plan to protect Long Island's waterways, which will uphold water quality, living resources and public use. Also speaking was Adrienne Esposito , Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is quite simply a big deal. This new law provides around $370 billion to combat the climate crisis, the largest investment our nation has ever made in tackling climate change. All New Yorkers, and Long Islanders in particular, can thank our Sen. Charles Schumer for his hard work in getting this historic bill across the finish line, and for his commitment to fighting the effects of climate change that are all too familiar to us.
Officials in West Baltimore, Maryland, recently issued an advisory after E. coli bacteria was detected in public water systems after routine water testing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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 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.
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
