LONG BEACH, N.Y. -- A major renewable energy project off Long Island suffered a big blow on Friday when Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a controversial bill that would've expedited a planned wind farm off Long Beach.
The Suffolk County Legislature failed to pass legislation that would simply allow the public to vote on a clean water ballot referendum this November. After 10 years of crafting a bi-partisan clean water restoration plan, this is a tragic disappointment for our environment and public health!
Untreated sewage is polluting our drinking and coastal waters. Nitrogen pollution from sewage is responsible for massive fish kills, turtle die offs, toxic algae blooms, and beach closings across Suffolk County. The science is clear; the majority of the nitrogen pollution in our waterways comes from outdated sewage and septic systems. Upgrading our sewage and septic infrastructure is necessary to restore the health of our bays, harbors and drinking water!
This year, the New York State budget included language allowing Suffolk County to create a unified wastewater management district and to hold a ballot referendum which would allow residents to vote on clean water funding. We needed the Suffolk Legislature to vote yes to put this issue on the ballot so that Suffolk residents could decide this November if an increase of 1/8 of a penny in sales tax should be dedicated to protecting water resources. Funding would be used only for expanding sewers and installing upgraded nitrogen-removing septic systems.
Despite a decade of work to get here and a large coalition of environmentalists, labor unions, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and local businesses coming together in support, the Suffolk Majority voted no in July. The deadline to pass the legislation that would let us vote on clean water this year has passed.
Here is how Suffolk Legislators voted on whether they would allow a clean water ballot initiative in November:
1. Al Krupski - Yes
2. Bridget Fleming - Yes
3. James Mazzarella - Absent
4. Nick Caracappa - No
6. Sarah Anker - Yes
7. Dominick Thorne - No
8. Anthony Piccirillo - No
9. Samuel Gonzalez - Yes
10. Trish Bergin - No
11. Steven Flotteron – No
12. Leslie Kennedy – No
13. Rob Trotta – No
14. Kevin McCaffrey – No
15. Jason Richberg – Yes
16. Manuel Esteban – No
17. Tom Donnelly – Yes
18. Stephanie Bontempi - No
The public was denied the right to vote on clean water this year. This was a huge disappointment, but we’re never done fighting for clean water. Let members of the Suffolk Legislature know that you demand the right to vote for clean water and urge him to move forward with a referendum as soon as possible.
Suffolk is 74% unsewered, with 360,000 homes relying on antiquated septic and cesspool technology to treat wastewater. The impacts of nitrogen pollution from inadequately treated sewage are appearing in virtually every bay, harbor, freshwater lake, and pond in the county.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) cites algal blooms and nitrogen from sewage as the primary reasons many LI water bodies are impaired. The numerous fish and turtle die-offs in our estuaries over the last decade were found to be caused mainly by nitrogen pollution from sewage. Moreover, some toxic algal blooms constitute a serious threat to human health, such as Blue-Green Algae in lakes and ponds. Long Island has the greatest frequency of Blue-Green Algae in the entire state.
After years of study, Suffolk County released a plan which details the sources of nitrogen pollution entering all 191 subwatersheds in the county and provides a pathway to restoring our waterways to a healthy condition. The study found the primary cause of nitrogen pollution in our waterways to be sewage from antiquated sewers and septic systems. The Subwatersheds Plan provides a pathway to replace outdated cesspools and septic systems with advanced on-site systems and, where appropriate, improving and expanding sewer systems. The longer we wait to implement these changes, the more expensive and difficult our water quality problems will be to fix. In order to fully implement this plan, we will need a unified wastewater management district and dedicated funding stream to implement these clean water projects.
Thank you for taking action.
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
On Thursday, October 26, celebrate National Pumpkin Day by joining in on the action to save the bees! Pumpkins rely on bees for pollination, without bees we wouldn’t have pumpkins. Unfortunately, bee populations have been declining at an alarming rate. This rise in bee deaths has largely been linked to the explosive increase and ubiquitous use of the systemic pesticide, neonicotinoids (“neonics”). To protect the bees, environment, and public health from this toxic pesticide, the NYS Legislature passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which bans certain uses of neonics that provide no benefit to users but pose the highest risk to bees. Now the bill is waiting to be signed by NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. Join us on National Pumpkin Day in calling on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act! Check out our social media toolkit for ideas on how you can get involved!
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: All Day
Location: All Social Media Platforms—X, Facebook, and Instagram, to name a few.
Neonics are proving to be the most environmentally harmful pesticide since DDT. The Birds and Bees Protection Act would ban neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and ban ornamental and turf neonic uses. 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!
Thank you for taking action.
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
RENEWABLES TEST — POLITICO’s Marie J. French: Gov. Kathy Hochul faces a difficult balancing act as her administration weighs a request for increased subsidies from renewable developers who warn that they may otherwise have to scrap projects that are critical for New York’s climate goals.
New York State’s Public Service Commission (PSC) voted today to deny price adjustments critical to the feasibility of renewable energy construction projects. By denying the adjustment, New Yorkers bear the brunt of the decision as disruption, delays, and uncertainty will leave New Yorkers with no choice but to continue to rely on unpredictable fossil fuels.
A coalition of environmental groups rallied Wednesday in support of Equinor’s offshore wind project, Empire Wind 2 — off the coast of Long Beach, N.Y. The pro-wind rally emphasized the importance of state support in offshore wind projects to meet New York’s climate goals and grow new green industries.
“Let's face it — here on Long Island, we are at the front lines of climate change,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “You don’t have to tell us about the perils before us, because we live it.”
BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. -- Residents who live near the controversial Brookhaven town landfill are demanding an investigation after they say they've gotten sick by hazardous waste.
Brookhaven, NY (October 9, 2023) – Leaders from the Brookhaven chapter of the NAACP NYS Conference, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (DDE) and the Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group (BLARG) today called for an independent investigation into the dumping of potentially hazardous waste for years at the town of Brookhaven landfill, exposing neighboring communities of color, teachers and students at the nearby Frank P. Long School and workers at the landfill to serious health risks.
Liberty Water customers in the Merrick Service District received a notice from the company last month stating that the chemical 1,4-dioxane had been detected in the drinking water at a concentration that exceeded New York state’s maximum contaminant level of 1 part per billion.
Throughout New York State, Connecticut, and the nation, natural grass playgrounds and athletic fields are being replaced with “artificial” or “synthetic” turf. The use of artificial turf raises significant environmental, health, and safety concerns that parents, schools, and policymakers must be made aware of. As schools continue to switch over to artificial turf, children who play on these surfaces are at increased risk of physical injury and exposure to toxic chemicals.
On Tuesday, October 10, Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) are co-hosting a virtual educational presentation to discuss the significant problems with artificial turf.
Topics include:
Adverse impacts to water quality, public health and safety, and our environment
Microplastic pollution caused by artificial turf
A closer look at how ubiquitous turf fields are on Long Island, and how that can impact local water quality
What can we do to address the problem, including policy solutions
Join us to hear from experts and have the opportunity to ask questions. This event is free and open to the public.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual presentation on Zoom. Register today!
Speakers:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Liam de Haan, University of Barcelona
Matt Simon, science writer at Wired magazine
Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy, PEER
Monica I. Mercola, Environmental Legal Fellow, PEER
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
The League of Women Voters of East Nassau recently partnered with the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit and nonpartisan environmental organization, to host a vastly informative presentation on the drastic consequences that climate change could have not only globally, but particularly on Long Island.
Empire Wind 2 will be located off the coast of Long Beach City and will generate 1,260 megawatts (MW) of electricity for Long Island, enough for 600,000+ homes. Energy will be delivered to the south shore via a cable connection to a substation in Island Park.
This is one of five offshore wind projects selected by New York State that will bring us nearly halfway to NY’s mandate of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. It will also help us reach our critical renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets in NY’s climate law, while bringing green jobs and community benefits to the region.
As part of the approval process for these offshore wind farms, the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) specifically looks at the impact of the cable connection both offshore in NY waters and onshore.
On October 11th, the PSC will be holding public information sessions followed by public hearings on Empire Wind 2 and the cable connection. Long Island residents will have the opportunity to voice their support for offshore wind.
Long Beach, Island Park and all of Long Island’s south shore communities are on the front lines of climate change. We need to be leaders in the fight for renewable energy. Come show up, stand up, and speak up on the importance of fighting climate change and transitioning to renewable energy.
Date:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Times:
Information Forum 1:00pm; Public Statement Hearing 2:00pm
Information Forum 5:30pm; Public Statement Hearing 6:30pm
Where:
City of Long Beach, City Hall Community Chamber, 6th Floor, 1 West Chester St., Long Beach, NY
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
Throughout New York State, Connecticut, and the nation, natural grass playgrounds and athletic fields are being replaced with “artificial” or “synthetic” turf. The use of artificial turf raises significant environmental, health, and safety concerns that parents, schools, and policymakers must be made aware of. As schools continue to switch over to artificial turf, children who play on these surfaces are at increased risk of physical injury and exposure to toxic chemicals.
On Tuesday, October 10, Citizens Campaign for the Environment and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) are co-hosting a virtual educational presentation to discuss the significant problems with artificial turf. Topics include:
Adverse impacts to water quality, public health and safety, and our environment
Microplastic pollution caused by artificial turf
A closer look at how ubiquitous turf fields are on Long Island, and how that can impact local water quality
What can we do to address the problem, including policy solutions
Join us to hear from experts and have the opportunity to ask questions. This event is free and open to the public.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual presentation on Zoom. Register today!
Speakers:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Matt Simon, science writer at Wired magazine
Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy, PEER
Monica I. Mercola, Environmental Legal Fellow, PEER
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
IN THE HILLS of the Hamptons, next to one of the most expensive golf clubs in the country, sits a big pit. It spans an area of just over 30 acres — about six city blocks — and drops more than 100 feet deep in some parts, with heaps of sand scattered throughout. Heavy machinery scoops that sand out of the ground, sifts it, and loads it onto trucks for sale. It’s a mine called Sand Land, and it operates much as it has for more than half a century.
It isn’t supposed to. New York’s highest court ruled more than six months ago that Sand Land’s permits were invalid, and regulators told the company to stop mining. The town slapped a stop work order at the entrance. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (dec) sent inspectors and issued violation notices. Sand Land kept digging.
In 2017 the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared an “unusual whale mortality event” for whales. This designation was based on data that showed a steep increase in deceased whales in 2016 and 2017 washing up on America’s shores. This event began prior to offshore wind siting in the US. Misinformation about a connection between offshore wind development harming whales is simply wrong. This misconception is not based on scientific facts.
Wind surveys do not kill whales
When NOAA declared an unusual whale mortality event in 2017 there was no offshore wind project approved in NY or NJ and it was long before offshore wind survey work was conducted. A second misconception is that offshore wind survey work requires the same exploratory equipment as natural gas and oil companies. This is simply not true. Oil and gas exploration requires seismic air guns that penetrate deep into the sea floor. Seismic air guns create one of the loudest man-made sounds in the ocean that damages marine life, including whales. The sound can travel several miles through the ocean at 220-250 decibels. Blasts are repeated as often as every 10 seconds for days and weeks.
Offshore wind surveying uses sound waves known as High Resolution Geophysical (HRG). These surveys use higher frequencies than those used in seismic air guns and image smaller structures with a high level of detail. Additionally, most of the equipment for these surveys cannot be heard by humpback whales. According to the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management “physical attributes of HRG sources-such as beamwidth, exposure duration, and frequency – make them significantly unlikely to result in harm of marine mammals.”
So what is causing the whale deaths?
Scientists are working to understand the cause of increased whale strandings. The two most common species impacted are Minke Whales and Humpback whales. When whales die, they undergo what is called a necropsy to determine the cause of death. These procedures are challenging when dealing with a 25-ton marine mammal, many of which are in various stages of decomposition. Scientists tell us that Minke Whales are showing signs of infection around the heart area, and 40% of Humpback whales are showing clear signs of ship strikes. Another cause of death is entanglement with commercial fishing gear which weighs down whales, decreases their mobility, and results in a diminished ability to feed.
Many scientists believe that whales are here in greater numbers due to changing water temperatures and an increase in bait fish off our shores. The bait fish are a beloved food source for whales, but this food source may be leading whales into shipping lanes making them vulnerable to ship strikes. Also, according to the Port Authority there had been a 35% increase in ships from 2019 into New York Harbor, adding another serious threat to whales.
How do we protect whales?
We know that ship strikes, along with commercial fishing are a real threat to whales. Over 20 environmental groups have called on Congress to allocate $20 million for better whale monitoring, which would help decrease ship strikes, and to fund marine mammal response and necropsy efforts.
One of the greatest threats to not only whales but all wildlife and our oceans is climate change. Warming temperatures, ocean acidification, changing food webs, and altered migration and feeding habits put whales at greater risk. One thing we can do locally is support the transition off fossil fuels and towards renewable energy, which will decrease local ocean acidification in our local waterways, protect local marine species and fisheries, and help combat global climate change. Offshore wind is the solution, not the problem.
If you want more information, check out:
Lunch and Learn: Whale Tales and Whale Facts, click here.
Offshore Wind & Whale Protection factsheet, click here.
Understanding Ocean Sounds & Whales factsheet, click here.
Fight Climate Change with Offshore Wind factsheet, click here.
Offshore Wind Future, Long Beach Herald. July, 2023, click here.
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
