“We are destroying this incredible living fossil, chopping it up for bait,” New York State Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick told me in an interview last week.
She is the author of a bill in the State Assembly which with a companion measure in the State Senate has passed that would protect horseshoe crabs. They would prohibit horseshoe crabs from being taken from the waters of New York State except for educational and research purposes.
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.
Calling on Governor Hochul to Protect Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Sadly, the species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations are being depleted and one contributing factor is the commercial fishermen who catch them and chop them up for use as bait. Horseshoe crabs are an essential species in the food web. In order to save the horseshoe crab, and the species that depend upon them, the New York State Legislature passed a bill to ban harvesting of horseshoe crabs. We can’t afford to wait any longer—Governor Hochul must act now. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law!
Suffolk County Residents to Vote on Clean Water (Prop 2) this November!
We have launched a public outreach campaign to ensure Suffolk County residents know to vote on a Clean Water ballot referendum this November. The initiative would allow sales tax to be increased by 1/8 of one penny to create a reliable funding stream dedicated to protecting water resources by expanding and upgrading sewers and installing upgraded nitrogen-removing septic systems. This is a victory 10 years in the making. Now we need Suffolk residents to turn out to vote on clean water this year—if you live in Suffolk remember to flip your ballot and vote on Prop 2!
Victory! Clean Water for Calverton on Long Island
There were 128 homes in Calverton drinking from private wells, some with confirmed toxic levels of PFAS and others with a high probability of being contaminated with toxic chemicals—possibly from a local Navy Grumman toxic plume. In 2019, we joined community members to seek support for hooking up these homes to public water. We brought together town, county, state, and federal officials to craft a plan to extend water mains to these homes and to seek funding for the project. The funding came through and the first 64 homes were connected last year. Now construction begins for the final 64 homes to be connected to public water. Congrats to all the community members on this hard-won victory for clean water!
Pushing to Continue Successful Efforts to Restore the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which started back in 2010, has been a resounding success. Congress has provided billions of dollars to support thousands of restoration projects through the GLRI—including efforts to clean up toxic hot spots in the Buffalo River, Rochester Embayment, and the Niagara River in NYS. While progress has been made, we have much more work to do to protect and restore our lakes. Congress is considering legislation to extend this successful GLRI program through 2031—please take a moment to urge your federal representatives to pass this critical legislation well before the GLRI program expires.
New York’s Transition to Offshore Wind
Here’s a look at the biggest developments with offshore wind from August:
NYSERDA Offshore Wind Solicitation – New York is currently in its fifth solicitation for offshore wind projects, with companies submitting their projects for consideration this month. This will allow New York to pick the next round of offshore wind farms, which will then go through robust environmental review. Continuing to move forward with project selections is crucial to achieving our climate mandates and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Community Education on Offshore Wind – This summer we had five fantastic interns who went to parks, beaches, events and festivals and spoke to thousands of Long Islanders on the importance of offshore wind. They got thousands of petition signatures and answered countless questions about offshore wind and the emerging “wind-ustry”. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign our petition to grow offshore wind today! One great event in August was the Offshore Wind Industry Open House and Union Apprenticeship Awareness Day at Stony Brook, which offered a unique opportunity to learn about career prospects in this growing field. It was great to talk to high school and college students about our renewable energy future.
Fighting for Battery Energy Storage - As part of NY’s transition to renewable energy, especially offshore wind, we will need to use battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems provide capacity that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel based generated power, thereby providing significant environmental and public health benefits. In August, we went to Town of North Hempstead to urge the Town Board not to approve a 12-month moratorium on battery storage systems. We pushed the town to update zoning codes to properly site projects without a moratorium. Fortunately, the moratorium did not pass at the August meeting, but the fight may not be over. Several other Long Island towns have moratoriums or extensions to existing moratoriums up for vote in the coming months, so stayed tuned for more info on how you can help support BESS.
The Problems with Artificial Turf
Across New York, Connecticut, and the nation artificial turf fields are replacing natural grass at parks, schools, sports fields, and in landscaping. There is growing concern and research connecting artificial turf to a variety of adverse health, safety, and environmental impacts. Exposure to toxic chemicals, water contamination, increase in injuries, PFAS pollution, and plastic pollution are all problems associated with artificial turf. We will be launching a series of educational materials and will be hosting virtual lunch and learn about the various problems associated with artificial turf—stay tuned to learn more about the growing threats from artificial turf. Check out our first educational factsheet here!
Restoring the Western Bays on Long Island
We have been working with our partners at The Nature Conservancy & Operation SPLASH for the last decade to restore water quality in the Western Bays of the South Shore Estuary Reserve. Environmentalists fought long and hard for significant upgrades to the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant to reduce excessive, polluting nitrogen in the Western Bays and it’s working. We took a tour of the Bay Park plant in August and are very excited to see all this great progress. Upgrades to the Bay Park Treatment plant resulted in a yearly average reduction of 63% in nitrogen discharge (and 75% in the summer months). The Bay Park Conveyance Project is also underway, which will redirect treated effluent to the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant’s Ocean outfall pipe, moving the effluent out of the Western Bays.
Upcoming: Our Annual Equinox Gala
On September 26th we will be celebrating 39 years of grassroots accomplishments with our partners, supporters, and friends at our annual Equinox Gala. This year we will be honoring Ørsted to celebrate New York’s first offshore wind farm and Assemblyman Fred Thiele for a lifetime achievement award. It will be an incredible night, so make sure to secure your tickets and/or sponsorships if you haven’t yet.
Work is underway on Sunrise Wind, an 84-turbine offshore wind farm that will be seven times bigger than its neighbor, South Fork Wind, about 30 miles off the coast of Montauk.
Environmental Facilities Corporation's Financial Assistance is Making Projects Affordable for New Yorkers, Safeguarding Drinking Water, and Improving Water Quality in Support of Nation-Leading Clean Water Goals
EFC Investments Highlighted in the Corporation’s Annual Program Metrics Report
New Project Impact Dashboard Enables the Public to Track Project Investments Statewide
The state of New York passed a revolutionary bill protecting horseshoe crabs, per an article in Harlem World.
Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick created legislation A.10140 to stop the harvesting of horseshoe crabs across New York in an effort to protect these ancient creatures.
Offshore Construction on New York’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm to Begin Later this Year
Sunrise Wind, New York’s largest offshore wind project, has received approval of its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which is the final decision needed from the federal agency to move the project toward the start of offshore construction.
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.
Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill Passes, Awaits Governor’s Signature
Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Sadly, the species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations have been depleted largely due to commercial fishermen who catch them and chop them up for use as bait. Horseshoe crabs are an essential species in the food web—if they are not protected, threatened species, such as the Red Knot, may go extinct. In order to save the horseshoe crab and the species that depend upon them, CCE championed legislation to ban harvesting of horseshoe crabs in NY. The bill was passed by the state legislature! Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law!
Suffolk County Clean Water Ballot Referendum Will Be on November Ballot!
The Suffolk County Legislature passed critical legislation that will allow Suffolk County residents to vote on a Clean Water ballot referendum this November. In July, we joined County Executive Romaine, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Suffolk legislators, and our environmental and labor partners to celebrate the bill being signed into law. Check out CCE Executive Director Adrienne Esposito’s comments here. The initiative would create a unified wastewater management district and allow sales tax to be increased by 1/8 of one penny to create a reliable funding stream dedicated to protecting water resources by expanding and upgrading sewers and installing upgraded nitrogen-removing septic systems. This is a victory 10 years in the making. Now we need Suffolk residents to turn out to vote on clean water this year!
Transitioning to Offshore Wind
As always, there is lots going on with offshore wind. Here are the big developments from July:
Sunrise Wind Groundbreaking – We joined NYSERDA, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, and many of our Wind Works NY partners for the groundbreaking on Ørsted ‘s Sunrise Wind project. This is a historical milestone for the future of renewable energy on Long Island. Sunrise Wind will soon power 600,000 Long Island homes with clean energy and help us transition off polluting fossil fuels.
Fighting for Battery Energy Storage - As part of NY’s transition to renewable energy, especially offshore wind, we will need to use battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems provide capacity that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel based generated power, thereby providing significant environmental and public health benefits. In July, we went to the Town of Southampton to urge the Town Council not to approve a second moratorium on battery storage systems. It has been a year since the Town placed a moratorium on BESS with the intention of updating zoning codes to properly site projects. Unfortunately, the Town chose to extend the moratorium another six months. Several other Long Island towns have moratoriums or extensions to existing moratoriums up for vote in the coming months, so stayed tuned for more info on how you can help support BESS.
Sign the Offshore Wind Petition – Take action today to show your support for offshore wind! As New York’s offshore power kicks into action, it’s a critical time to come out strong for a clean energy future. Join us in urging Governor Hochul's administration to grow New York's renewable energy, including offshore wind! Sign the petition today!
New Report: Random, Restrictive Recycling on Long Island
Each year, Long Island generates more than 2.9 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), with approximately 40% of that waste being packaging and paper products, such as plastic containers, metal cans, plastic film, glass bottles, paper products, and cardboard. Unfortunately, only about 20% MSW is being recycled properly. We released a report last month entitled “Random, Restrictive Recycling: The Chaotic System on Long Island and the Policy Solution Needed to Fix It”. This report analyzes municipal recycling programs and the options available for residents, discusses the complications in our recycling system that prevent Long Islanders from recycling properly, and outlines a policy solution to tackle Long Island’s recycling crisis. The report details an overcomplicated, confusing, and often misleading municipal recycling system that makes it very difficult for individuals to recycle properly. You can check out the report here and watch our press conference where we discuss our key findings here.
Heading to D.C. to Protect Long Island Sound
Each year, we head down to DC for our Long Island Sound Education Day with our coalition partners to talk about the issues facing this Estuary of National Significance. We had great meetings with our U.S. Senate and House members from New York and Connecticut on the importance of investing in LI Sound. Cleaner waters, robust fish populations, opening shellfish beds, and reduced hypoxia all demonstrate our success so far, but far more needs to be done to address climate change and combat nitrogen pollution. In July, we were thrilled when the U.S. House passed the LI Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act, and are urging the Senate to follow suit!
Tackling Plastic Pollution for Plastic Free July
The Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed network hosted our webinar “Tackling Long Island Sound Plastic Pollution: Plastic Free July”. We heard from expert Rachael Miller, who told us about her latest research on microplastics in the Sound, and CCE’s Adrienne Esposito, who discussed the solutions to the plastic crisis. It was a great event – thanks to the 100+ people to joined us for the presentation and Q &A. If you missed it, you can check it out here.
Talking Protecting Horseshoe Crabs on Fire Island
We participated in Saltaire’s annual Sea & Sand Festival, a weekend of kids' activities focused on the environment. We spent the day on Fire Island talking to kids and their parents on the importance of protecting horseshoe crabs. The children were excited to color and send letters to Governor Hochul urging her to sign The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. Thank you to Kathryn Morlet and the Saltaire Sustainability Committee for putting together this great event.
Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms
As we start enjoying summer here in New York, 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. To learn more about HABs and efforts taken to combat them on Cayuga Lake check out our short video. 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 in the process of transitioning from polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy, including wind and solar energy. As part of this transition, we will need to use battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems provide the capacity to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel based generated power and stabilize the grid, thereby providing significant environmental and public health benefits. With offshore wind coming to Long Island in 2026 and the continued build-out of solar energy, BESS will be a crucial component of our clean energy future.
North Hempstead is considering placing a one-year moratorium on BESS. There is no reason for a moratorium except to dissuade BESS development. North Hempstead can, and should, create new zoning codes for this technology so it can be permitted safely and effectively—without a moratorium.
Please attend the North Hempstead Town Board meeting on August 13th to let your elected officials know that you support battery energy storage:
When: Tuesday, August 13, at 7:00 pm
Where: North Hempstead Town Hall, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset NY
Want to Learn more about BESS before the Town Board meeting? Join us for a “Power Hour” Zoom on BESS this Thursday:
In advance of the Town Board meeting, we will be co-hosting a one hour zoom meeting to discuss some key facts about BESS, its value to our grid, and what you can do to make sure North Hempstead allows this important clean energy technology to move forward. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what has been going on with BESS and ask any questions before coming to the Town Board meeting next week. Join the “Power Hour” on Thursday August 8th at 7pm on Zoom. Register here.
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
New York generates an estimated 4 million tons of excess food annually, the vast majority of which is disposed of in landfills. When disposed of in landfills, wasted food decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. About 25% of the food we buy is wasted, while more than 2.5 million New Yorkers lack consistent access to sufficient food. We are throwing away wholesome food that could instead help feed our fellow citizens in need.
In response, New York enacted the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law in 2019 to require large food generators (e.g. supermarkets, sports venues, hotels, colleges) that waste two tons of food or more per week to either donate or recycle their excess food. This program has provided surplus food to hungry people, converted organic waste into valuable compost, and created renewable energy through anerobic digestion. The program has been off to a very successful start—from 2021 to 2022, food donation increased 60% and food scrap recycling increased 529% across the state!
While we are off to a good start, far too much food continues to be wasted. Now it is time to expand this program and capture additional food waste. The NYS Legislature recently passed legislation to expand this program—requiring facilities generating one ton or more of food waste per week to reduce, recover, and recycle excess food!
Thank you for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
We are in the process of transitioning from polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy, including wind and solar energy. As part of this transition, we will need to use battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems provide capacity to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel based generated power and stabilize the grid, thereby providing significant environmental and public health benefits.
The Town of Southampton placed a moratorium on BESS over one year ago, claiming they needed to create new zoning codes for this technology so it can be permitted safely and effectively. They have had ample time and expert guidance, yet they are still not advancing their codes and are considering extending the moratorium again!
Please attend the Southampton Town Board meeting on June 23rd at 6:00 PM to let your elected officials know that you support battery energy storage and urge them to not extend the moratorium.
Southampton Town Board Meeting
When: Tuesday, July 23, at 6:00 pm
Where: Southampton Town Hall, 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY
Want to Learn more about BESS before the Town Board meeting? Join us for a “Power Hour” Zoom on BESS this Thursday at 7pm:
In advance of the Town Board meeting, we will be co-hosting a one-hour zoom meeting to discuss some key facts about BESS, its value to our grid, and what you can do to make sure Southampton allows this important clean energy technology to move forward. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what has been going on with BESS in Southampton and ask any questions before coming to the Town Board meeting next week. Join the “Power Hour” on Thursday July 18th at 7pm on zoom. Register here.
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new large-scale renewable energy solicitation to deliver clean electricity to New Yorkers. Building on New York’s 10-Point Action Plan, this solicitation seeks proposals for the development of new large-scale land-based renewable energy projects which are expected to spur billions of dollars in clean energy investments and create thousands of family-sustaining jobs in the State’s green economy. Today’s announcement supports progress toward achieving the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to obtain 70 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Re: Moratorium on ProcellaCOR Permitting Pending PFAS and Human Health and Ecological Impact Concerns
Dear Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice,
The undersigned are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recently disclosed Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within pesticides, including florpyrauxifen-benzyl which is the active chemical ingredient in ProcellaCOR EC and SE. As the Adirondack Park Agency is aware, ProcellaCOR EC is the less concentrated form of ProcellaCOR SE, both of which are manufactured by the SePRO Corporation, the former of which has been recently approved for use in several lakes in the Adirondacks.
