Parking Lot Canopy with Solar Panels and Accompanying Battery Storage System Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Approximately 6,000 Metric Tons Annually
Three Agreements Announced for Potential Renewable Energy Development
Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup
Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report
The state has once again detected high levels of carcinogenic heavy metals in West Islip, Newsday says.
WEST ISLIP, NY — New York State has again detected high levels of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, at a Superfund site in West Islip four years after the waste was initially cleaned up, according to a report from Newsday.
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water
The meeting, organized by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, took place at the Hicksville Public Library Monday night and talked about 1,4 dioxane.
Yale researchers spoke with Hicksville residents about a toxic pollutant found in the drinking water on the island and shared how Long Islanders could be the key to learning more about it.
Long Island Clean Water Symposium: Global Challenges and Local Solutions
Join us for this informative and free event to hear from global and local water experts!
Citizens Campaign for the Environment, North Shore Land Alliance, and The Nature Conservancy are co-hosting a conference that will bring together leaders in the field of water science. Leading experts will update attendees about the condition of local water, including surface water and drinking water. There will also be a robust panel discussion that will focus on solutions that both municipalities and homeowners can use to address the protection of this critical natural resource. This event is free, but advanced registration is required! Register today.
Raingardens and native plants
Low-nitrogen septic systems
Better lawn fertilizers
Topics include:
Innovations in water technology
Drinking and surface water quality
Land conservation and water quantity
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Long Island University Student Center Auditorium
720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY 11548
Keynote Speaker: David L. Sedlak, Author and Professor of Environmental Engineering at University of California, Berkeley
David Sedlak is a Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Plato Malozemoff Professor of Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. Sedlak’s research focuses on the fate of chemical contaminants, with the long-term goal of developing cost-effective, safe, and sustainable systems to manage water resources. Sedlak’s research has addressed water reuse—the practice of using municipal wastewater effluent to sustain aquatic ecosystems and augment drinking water supplies—as well as the treatment and use of urban runoff to contaminated groundwater from contaminated industrial sites as water supplies.
Sedlak also received the Fulbright Specialist Award for New Zealand in 2019 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2016, one of the highest honors given to an engineer, among other notable achievements. Sedlak is also the author of "Water 4.0", a book that examines the ways we can gain insight into current water issues by analyzing the history of urban water systems.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Christopher Gobler, Director, Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Expert Panelists:
Brian Schneider, Program Development Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey
Lisa W. Ott, President & CEO, North Shore Land Alliance
Kevin McDonald, Long Island Senior Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy
Patti Wood, Executive Director, Grassroots Environmental Education
Nancy Seligson, former Town Supervisor for the Town of Mamaroneck
Derek Betts, District Manager, Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District
Justin Jobin, Environmental Scientist at Coastal Wastewater Solutions
Thomas Murphy, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement, Village of East Hills
Rusty Schmidt, Landscape Architect at Nelson Pope and Voorhis
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
Turn Off the Tap to Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Now!
New York State Must Ban PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Everyday Products
In recent years, communities across NY and the nation have discovered their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent, meaning they build up in our bodies and don’t break down in the environment. New science indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in our drinking water and we must do more to protect public health from this growing threat.
New York State is considering legislation that will ban the use of PFAS chemicals in a host of everyday products. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. Take action today and urge your elected representatives to support passage of this critical legislation today!
Background
What is PFAS and where does it come from?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products for many decades, due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties. PFAS is used in cookware, packaging, textiles, furniture, adhesives, paint, and numerous other products. According to the U.S. EPA, there are 3,500 industrial sites across New York State that may be handling or using PFAS chemicals.
PFAS Threatens our Health
Studies show that human exposure to PFAS is widespread—it’s estimated that 98% of people in the U.S. have PFAS compounds in their blood. Exposure to PFAS can lead to higher rates of kidney and testicular cancer, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects and decreased immune response in children, and other adverse health impacts.
PFAS Pollutes our Environment and Drinking Water
Due to widespread use of PFAS chemicals in numerous products and industries, PFAS chemicals have become ubiquitous in the environment, including our soil, air, and drinking water. Testing has revealed some levels of PFAS in approximately 50% of public water systems across NYS, with about 250 water systems exceeding NY’s drinking water standards for two PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS. EPA recently adopted stronger drinking water standards for several PFAS chemicals, which will cause an estimated 296 additional communities across NYS to exceed standards and have to treat drinking water for these harmful chemicals.
It’s Time to Turn Off the Tap to PFAS!
As we make important progress to remove PFAS from our drinking water, it does not make sense to continue using more PFAS and allow more contamination to occur! New York must get serious about limiting further PFAS contamination by banning unnecessary uses of PFAS in products. New York has already enacted laws to limit PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, carpets, and apparel; however, there are numerous other products that continue to use PFAS unnecessarily.
Legislation has been introduced in New York State (A.3556C/S.5648C) that bans the sale of PFAS in a host of everyday products—textile articles, rugs, fabric treatments, cookware, ski waxes, architectural paints, children’s products, anti-fogging sprays and wipes, dental floss, and cleaning products, beginning in 2026. This bill targets products in common use for which there are ample alternatives, and in most cases, restrictions already exist in other states or countries. Email your elected representatives and urge them to support a ban on PFAS in everyday products now!
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling
New York Fails to Reach Contracts with Three Major Offshore Wind Farms
April 19 (Reuters) – A New York state agency on Friday said it had failed to reach final contract agreements with the developers of three major offshore wind projects, blaming a decision by General Electric Vernova to scrap plans for a new turbine.
The projects affected include Attentive Energy One, being developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light & Power and Corio Generation, Community Offshore Wind, backed by RWE and National Grid Ventures, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said in a statement. Excelsior Wind, being developed by Vineyard Offshore, is also affected, it said.
Major offshore wind projects in New York canceled in latest blow to industry
The decision is another setback to New York’s aspirations to achieve 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 and be a hub for the nascent industry in the United States.
ALBANY, New York — New York’s signature offshore wind projects meant to boost confidence in the industry are being scrapped, a major hit to the industry in the state and the nation.
UPDATE 2-New York says it is not moving forward with three offshore wind farms
We need to have the best water possible
All Long Islanders agree about the need for clean water [“Clean-water funding is crucial in state budget,” Opinion, March 24]. Nitrogen pollution from sewage is causing water quality impairments, fish kills and harmful algal blooms. Contaminants poses a significant threat to our drinking water and health. The good news is that we know how to solve these problems, but we need money.
DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site
Long Island landscaping firm Affa Organics to pay $100G in settlement over pine barrens destruction
Victory for Clean Water! New York State Budget Restores Crucial Clean Water Funding
Proposed cut is rejected with final budget providing full funding at $500 million for clean water infrastructure projects
CCE applauds elected leaders for securing vital funding that helps to provide safe and affordable drinking water to New York’s communities
For immediate release: April 19, 2024
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY— Today CCE is celebrating the allocation of $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) included in the final 2024-25 state budget. The CWIA program allows communities to upgrade sewers and septic systems, fix drinking water pipes, install treatment technology for emerging contaminants, protect source water, and more. Since 2017, New York has provided $5 billion for this important program, which has provided significant results for New York’s environment and economy. While previous budgets have allocated $500 million per year for clean water, Governor Hochul originally proposed $250 million in her SFY 2024-25 Executive Budget proposal. The Senate and Assembly budgets both proposed to restore the funding for this important program, and $500 million for the CWIA was ultimately included in the final budget.
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), issued the following statement:
“Citizens Campaign for the Environment is thrilled that Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding, which helps protect our water from its source to our taps, was restored in this year’s budget. New York has made significant investments in clean water in recent years, but it’s only a drop in the bucket of the $80 billion needed to upgrade aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure over 20 years. Our communities continue to struggle with nitrogen pollution and harmful algal blooms caused by aging sewage infrastructure, sink holes and water main breaks, lead pipes, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. Ignoring these problems does not make them go away. It will only become more expensive over time while putting our environment and public health at greater risk.
Robust funding in recent years has helped to advance numerous successful clean water projects, and we are thrilled to see funding restored in this year’s budget, which will allow communities to continue progress toward safe and affordable drinking water for all New Yorkers. CCE thanks environmental champions Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Glick, along with Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart Cousins, and Governor Hochul for working to restore this critical funding in the final budget.”
Join Us for a Community Meeting on 1,4-Dioxane and Public Health!
CCE and the Yale Superfund Research Center will be hosting a free community meeting to discuss the impacts of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water and Yale’s new health study on Long Island
1,4-dioxane is a contaminant of concern in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This chemical, referred to as a "forever chemical," has been used in industrial practices and common household products including shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, baby products, and dish soaps. The EPA classifies 1,4-dioxane as a likely carcinogen, but its effects on public health are still not well known. Unfortunately, Long Island had some of the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water in the nation.
The Yale Superfund Research Center is in the initial phase of investigating 1,4-dioxane exposure on human health in Long Island communities. CCE has partnered with Yale Superfund Research Center in a 1,4-dioxane health study for Long Island residents. This critical study seeks to engage Long Island residents to participate in this drinking water and blood sample health study.
To learn more about this groundbreaking study, please join our community meeting with the Yale Superfund Research Center.
When: Monday, April 22, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Where: Hicksville Public Library, 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
Biden administration announces new safety standards for tap water
New EPA limits on PFAS 'forever chemicals' set stricter standards for Long Island drinking water
EPA imposes first-ever national drinking water limits on toxic PFAS
EPA announces strict federal drinking water standard for PFAS contamination
Highlights
· The final rule announced today by the EPA is stricter than the proposed rule published last year and stricter than the standard adopted by New York State in 2020.
· PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” are harmful substances linked to deadly cancers and other health impacts. They are prevalent in the environment from many sources.
· The federal agency also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities comply with the rule.
· Public water suppliers will have five years to comply with the rule if they detect PFAS in their systems.
