Candidates from the first, second and third districts discussed their views and policies on climate and the environment.
Candidates from the fourth district were not present.
District 1: Nick LaLota (incumbent, R), and John Avlon (D)
Nick LaLota is the incumbent representative for New York’s first district. He currently co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, which aims to create policies that will improve offshore wind technology and workforce.
When it comes to climate change, “if ever there was a Ground Zero for Long Island, it’s really the First Congressional District,” says Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, of the district that encompasses the entire East End. “It’s very critical to hold our congressional leaders accountable for climate change. People still actually don’t believe in climate change, as if it’s a faith based system. You can’t believe or not believe in gravity. You have to understand it is real.”
LONG ISLAND - Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island.
The bays, lakes and ponds are not as clean and clear as they need to be - this according to an annual assessment of water quality report.
"We had a record number of dead zones in 2024 with oxygen levels of less than 3mg oxygen per liter. Ideally, our coastal waterbodies will have 4.8mg oxygen per liter," said coastal ecologist Dr. Christopher Gobler at Stony Brook University.
For immediate release: November 18, 2024
For more information contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, cell 631-384-1378 aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Erin McGrath, Policy Director for National Audubon Society’s New York State office – Cell 518-860-426
Farmingdale, NY – As the battle to protect Horseshoe Crabs in New York heats up, one of the world’s most prominent conservationists weighs in to call on Governor Hochul to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill. Horseshoe Crabs have roamed the earth for over 350 million years and shared this planet with the dinosaurs. However, this species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations have become depleted largely due to commercial fisherman who catch them and chop them up for bait for catching eel and conch.
This year the NY State legislature passed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S3185A/A10140) which prohibits the taking of Horseshoe crabs from New York waters. This legislation will allow the populations to recover and ensure the survival of this important species. Governor Hochul has been reluctant to sign the bill, and she only has 6 more weeks to do so.
Dr. Jane Goodall is one of the world’s most prominent conservation scientists and has almost 60 years of traveling the world to successfully advance conservation and protection of endangered species. Dr. Goodall penned a letter to Governor Hochul on November 12, 2024, requesting that the Governor sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. Dr. Goodall’s letter states, “I believe New York has an opportunity to lead in this conservation effort. By signing this bill, you can ensure the survival of the horseshoe crab and the many species that depend on it. I have devoted my life to preserving the planet and I hope together, we can make a lasting difference in this important corner of the world.”
“It’s a rare and special event when Dr. Goodall reaches out and requests New York help her in saving our planet’s endangered species. Governor Hochul should heed the wisdom and vision that Dr. Goodall provides and immediately sign this important legislation,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
NY Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Dr. Jane Goodall, the most respected conservationist in the world, has joined our cause to protect New York’s ancient horseshoe crab population. Dr. Goodall knows what she’s talking about when she says that we can help preserve our planet by making the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S.3185A) law. The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act will bring New York in line with neighboring states that have already banned the taking of horseshoe crabs and protect this crucial ‘keystone’ species. I’m hopeful Governor Hochul will sign this bill into law soon.”
“I am thrilled to be joined by Dr. Goodall in our efforts to protect the horseshoe crab within the waters of New York. Very few people understand the importance of species conservation better than Dr. Goodall; when she speaks, we should carefully listen to her words. Despite the current fishery management scheme, there has been a disturbingly steep decline in this species which cannot continue. We must ensure a future for this ancient keystone species” said NYS Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, who is the Assembly sponsor of the legislation.
"We are grateful that Dr. Jane Goodall has lent her voice to our collective efforts to protect horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species that supports a number of migratory shorebirds, fish, and other marine life that rely on them for a food source. Unfortunately, the horseshoe crab population has been declining drastically, and the species that rely on them have followed suit," said Erin McGrath, Policy Director for the National Audubon Society’s New York State office. “Neighboring states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, have closed their horseshoe crab fisheries in order to protect this important species, and we believe it is time for New York State to join them. We urge Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation to take immediate action to help our horseshoe crab population recover and thrive. “
"With the support from Dr. Jane Goodall, as well as scientists and conservationists from around the world, it is becoming abundantly clear how urgent the preservation of horseshoe crabs truly is," said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "Horseshoe crabs are essential to the ecological resilience of New York's shorelines and by signing into law A.10140 (Glick)/S.3185-A (Hoylman-Sigal), the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, Governor Hochul would be ensuring protections for this keystone species and the health of our vulnerable coastline ecosystems. We are grateful for the support of Dr. Jane Goodall and urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law today."
Much of New York’s wastewater and drinking water infrastructure is aging and failing, putting public health and our environment at risk. New York State has made significant investments to upgrade water infrastructure in recent years; however, much more needs to be done to provide clean water for all New Yorkers.
To make drinking water safe and affordable for all New Yorkers, protect our environment, and create jobs, Governor Hochul and the legislature must provide at least $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the 2025-2026 NYS budget! Email Governor Hochul and your elected representatives today.
Why should New Yorkers be concerned about the state’s wastewater and drinking water infrastructure?
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave New York’s drinking water infrastructure a grade of C- and its wastewater systems a grade of D+.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are at least 494,000 lead drinking water service lines in New York, the sixth highest of all states in the nation. Lead is a toxic heavy metal—there is no safe level of exposure to lead in drinking water, especially for infants and children. New federal regulations require that ALL lead pipes be replaced by 2037.
According to reports generated by New York’s Sewage Pollution Right to Know law, there are 5 overflows of raw or partially treated sewage into New York waters every day. Sewage overflows make people sick, close beaches, kill fish, and hamper economic development.
Drinking water supplies across the state contain PFAS “forever chemicals” that threaten public health. The EPA adopted new drinking water standards for certain PFAS chemicals, which will require an estimated 296 additional communities across NYS to treat for PFAS. Communities across the state are struggling to afford and install the costly treatment technology needed to filter these toxic chemicals from drinking water.
Across the nation, there is a water main break every two minutes, and an estimated six billion gallons of treated water is lost each day. Water main breaks not only threaten access to clean drinking water, but also close schools and businesses, cause sink holes that damage roads, and hurt local economies.
What will it cost to upgrade New York’s water infrastructure?
While repairing and replacing New York’s clean water infrastructure is imperative, it is also costly. The EPA estimates that it will cost about $90 billion to upgrade New York State’s wastewater and drinking infrastructure.
What is being done to protect clean water and what is needed next?
Since 2017, New York State has appropriated $5.5 billion into the state’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act, which is helping to upgrade sewage treatment plants, filter toxic contaminants out of drinking water, replace lead drinking water pipes, upgrade failing septic systems, protect drinking water at its source, and more. This is helping to make drinking water safe and affordable, protect our environment, and create good jobs in every community across the state (every million dollars invested is creating 17 jobs—extrapolated for the full $5.5 billion appropriated thus far, the program is expected to create over 93,000 jobs).
While progress is being made, New York has a long way to go to meet its nearly $90 billion clean water need. Governor Hochul and the legislature must continue to invest in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in order to provide clean and affordable water for all New Yorkers! Governor Hochul and the legislature should provide at least $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the 2025-2026 NYS budget!
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
Nitrogen pollution from sewage is responsible for massive fish kills, turtle die-offs, toxic algal blooms, and beach closings across Suffolk County. Long Island's clean waters create jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars every year for our regional economy. Nitrogen pollution is adversely impacting our environment, health, economy, and quality of life. The science is clear; the majority of the nitrogen pollution in our local waterways comes from outdated sewer and septic systems. Upgrading our sewer and septic infrastructure is necessary to restore the health of Suffolk County’s waterways and protect our drinking water.
Tackling nitrogen pollution will require a steady stream of funding for updating septic systems and expanding sewers. In 2024, New York State and the Suffolk County Legislature passed legislation allowing Suffolk County to create a unified water management district and hold a ballot referendum that allows residents to vote on clean water. Suffolk residents were able to vote on an increase of 1/8 cent to the county sales tax, to be dedicated to protecting water resources by installing sewers and clean water septic systems.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the clean water ballot measure was passed by Suffolk residents with an overwhelming 72% of the vote! The program, effective January of 2025, will generate billions of dollars in the years ahead to reduce nitrogen pollution from sewers and septic systems—reducing pollution that impacts our drinking water and waterways. Thank you to Suffolk County residents that voted in favor of this critical clean water initiative!
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 Long Island 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, Suffolk requires a unified wastewater management district and dedicated funding stream to implement these clean water projects.
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - Bays, ponds and estuaries on Long Island are losing oxygen.
According to a new report, 36 different bodies of water have been deemed dead zones, and 25 marine waterways have harmful algal blooms.
Harmful algae blooms spread across LI waters
Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island. FOX 5 NY’s Jodi Goldberg explains what’s causing this and the impact it's having on fish and other animals.
LONG ISLAND - Harmful algae blooms are popping up in multiple bodies of water across Long Island.
An energy company seeking an exemption from Southampton Town’s moratorium on battery energy storage facility applications faced scrutiny by Town Board members and strong opposition from the Riverhead Central School District Board of Education during a hearing on its exemption application last night at Southampton Town Hall.
Mike Hastings, 41, has lived in Western New York his entire life. His home, which he shares with his wife and three children, is situated on 170 acres of forested land near the town of Allegany. The property is home to a winding creek and a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, coyotes and foxes. It also contains 80 abandoned oil wells, remnants of a 19th-century drilling boom in the region.
New York’s offshore wind leader, Ørsted, announced today that it has submitted a finalized proposal for its Long Island Wind project, which would power up to 1 million New York homes with renewable energy while further strengthening Ørsted’s Northeast Hub. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has become a national offshore wind leader, and the Long Island Wind project would deliver major new investments to New York’s workforce and offshore wind supply chain.
It was just below 70 degrees, with a light breeze, the sun shining bright, and mild seas – perfect sailing weather.
Passengers on this excursion drove almost to the end of Sound Avenue early on a Wednesday morning – a rare trip if you don’t live or work on the North Fork – and saw the village of Greenport wake up. It was far from the Manhattan-level autumn traffic on the North Fork or the bustling party town that is Greenport in the summer.
STAMFORD — Months after speaking about possibly lifting a city requirement to charge customers 10 cents for a paper bag at checkout, members of the Board of Representatives have turned to another idea: prohibiting stores from even selling or giving out paper bags.
City Rep. Virgil de la Cruz, D-2, a deputy majority leader of the board who often advocates for measures to combat climate change, presented draft language for a potential ban on paper bags to the board’s Legislative and Rules Committee last week. But the committee decided not to advance the proposal to a public hearing yet and first conduct more research.
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.
A Milestone Victory for the Great Lakes: Rochester Embayment Cleanup
The most toxic hot spots in the Great Lakes, known as Areas of Concern (AOCs), were identified as such way back in 1987. Due to restoration efforts over decades—and largely supported by recent investments of $14 million from the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)—the Rochester Embayment was finally taken off the AOC list in October! This is yet another demonstration showing that we can reverse the environmental harm caused by decades of pollution, if we invest in solutions. In November, we’ll be heading to Washington DC to advocate for continued investments in the GLRI, which is necessary to finish clean ups in the Buffalo River, Eighteenmile Creek, Niagara River, St Lawrence River, and more!
Vote Yes for Clean Water in Suffolk County: Flip your Ballot and Vote YES on Prop 2!
With early voting in full swing, and Election Day on November 5, we are in the home stretch of our public outreach and education campaign to ensure Suffolk County residents know to vote on the Clean Water ballot referendum. 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. Voting on this initiative is critical to restoring Suffolk County’s drinking water, beaches, bays, lakes, and rivers!
In October, we joined our environmental, labor, business, and community partners for a 100+ person rally in support of Prop 2 in Babylon, LI. If you missed the event, you can watch it here. We also did presentations around the county on this ballot initiative, including a great community meeting with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne, as well as presentations for the Retired Teachers Association, NAACP, Rocky Point Civic Association, Setauket Civic Association and a call in radio show with 103.9! Thank you to everyone who came out to these events and everyone working to educate your communities on this crucial program. Also, a giant thank you to the dozen advocates working with us to distribute 10,000 door knockers to Suffolk homes. We need Suffolk residents to turn out to vote on clean water this year, so if you live in Suffolk, remember to flip your ballot and vote YES on Prop 2!
Time is Ticking to Save the 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 a major 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 sign the bill into law before the end of the year. Email Governor Hochul today and urge her to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law!
Developing a Statewide Platform for Clean Water in NYS
In October, we reconvened the NY Clean Water Coalition for the 8th annual Clean Water Roundtable. At the event, the coalition received updates from the Governor’s Office, NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation on the top clean water challenges and priorities for the state. We worked with our coalition members—environmental groups, drinking water suppliers, and wastewater treatment operators—to develop a shared priorities agenda for the coming legislative session. The continued collaboration of this diverse group of stakeholders has yielded unprecedented results for New York’s water resources (a nation-leading $5.5 billion invested in clean water in NYS since 2017, among other victories) and we will continue to work together to further our common clean water goals in the coming year.
Transitioning to Offshore Wind
As usual, we were busy with our work to advance offshore wind. Here’s the latest from October:
Visiting South Fork Wind – We went on an incredible trip out to see South Fork Wind, NY’s first offshore wind farm located 35 miles off the coast of Montauk. The project is now supplying clean, renewable energy to 70,000 homes on the south fork of Long Island. In fact, it is generating more power than expected! Sunrise Wind, which will power 600,000 homes in Suffolk County, and Empire Wind, which will power 500,000 homes in NYC, are both under construction and will be the next two offshore wind projects that allow our transition off fossil fuels in downstate NY.
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). BESS systems store energy from renewable energy sources and deliver it when electricity demand is greatest, helping to create a more reliable grid. Here’s the latest on our work to support BESS:
In October, we urged Town of Southampton to allow a small 5MW battery storage project by NineDot to move ahead, as it would provide clean power to an area where the grid needs more energy and offset the need for fossil fuel peaker plants. They are due to make the decision in the next month.
In November, we expect Town of Babylon to hold a public hearing on extending their moratorium on battery storage and we will be heading to the hearing to oppose the extension. 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.
Congressional Climate Chats
In the next Congress, our representatives from Suffolk and Nassau will have an important role to play in ensuring protections for our coastal communities, local economy, emerging industries, and environmental resources. We joined our partners at Students for Climate Action, Renewable Energy Long Island, and Citizens Climate Lobby New York to virtually host Climate Chats 2024 last month. This event featured short, 15-minute “chats” with candidates running for Congress in NY-01, NY-02, NY-03 to answer questions on climate change, energy, and sustainability from a panel of experienced environmental leaders. Thank you to candidates Congressman Garbarino, Rob Lubin, Congressman LaLota, John Avlon, Congressman Suozzi, and Mike LiPetri for participating. You can watch Climate Chats here.
Long Island Water Quality Summer 2024
We joined Stony Brook University’s Dr. Christopher Gobler in October to announce the water quality results of Long Island’s surface waters this summer. The news was not good! The 2024 Assessment of Water Quality Impairments for Long Island found more toxic tides and a record-setting season for harmful algal blooms this past summer. Excessive nitrogen from sewage and septic systems has caused water quality impairments across Long Island and the problem is only going to get worse. This data highlights the need for a recurring revenue stream and significant investments to upgrade our wastewater infrastructure, making it so important for Suffolk residents to vote yes on Prop 2 for clean water this year.
The Problems with Artificial Turf
Across New York, 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!
Planting a Rain Garden in Northport
We are working with Village of Northport on Long Island to install new rain gardens on Bluff Rd and James Street. Rain gardens prevent polluted stormwater runoff from reaching local waterways. They capture, store, and filter contaminants while protecting the shoreline and prevent pollution from entering Northport Harbor. We joined community members to plant a rain garden last month and we are very excited to see how it continues to thrive and protect Northport Harbor. We will be planting another rain garden on November 9th from 10:30am - 12:30pm and are looking for volunteers. If you live in Northport and are interested in helping with the planting, email Maureen Murphy for more details.
