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Highlights
Fighting Back Against a Major Funding Cut for Clean Water
Since 2017, New York has invested $5 billion in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. From the Great Lakes to Long Island, this funding has helped to reduce sewage overflows, remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, replace lead pipes, and more. But there is still work to be done to address New York’s $80 billion drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs. This year, Governor Hochul proposed to slash this critical funding by 50%, but we are fighting back. We are calling for $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the SFY 2024-25 budget. Now is not the time to turn off the tap for clean water infrastructure funding; we need to increase state investments in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. If you haven’t yet, please take action today!
Great News: NY’s 1,4-Dioxane Law is Working!
NY’s law, which limits the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane in products, went into full effect at the beginning of this year. Last month, we released a report that included independent testing of laundry detergents—revealing that companies are complying with the law and members of the public are being exposed to significantly less 1,4-dioxane than they were just a few short years ago. We were delighted to learn that not only are New Yorkers benefiting, but products, including all those made by Proctor & Gamble, have reformulated and significantly reduced 1,4-dioxane for all of North America. You can find out more by watching our press conference revealing the testing results or reading the new report. This is a huge win for our drinking water and our health!
Happenings
Supporting a Fully Funded Environmental Protection Fund
New York’s environment, economy, and public health are dependent upon the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). From Buffalo to Long Island, all New Yorkers benefit from the numerous programs and projects in the EPF. EPF projects improve water quality, protect clean air, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, and support zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens. We joined advocates from across the state to maintain the $400 million EPF and prevent those funds from being raided for agency staff costs! Offloading agency staff costs into the EPF would limit communities’ ability to protect and restore our precious environment in every region of the state.
Transitioning to Offshore Wind
There were a lot of big developments on offshore wind in February; here’s a rundown:
Offshore Wind Petition Launched – Take action today to show your support for offshore wind! As New York’s offshore wind 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!
Empire and Sunrise Wind Rebid – Both the Sunrise Wind Farm, which will power 600,000 Long Island homes via a connection in Holbrook, and Empire Wind 1, which will power 500,000 NYC homes via a connection in Brooklyn, submitted rebids with NYS for their projects to continue to move forward. Great news: In February, these projects were both selected and are now continuing along towards final approval and construction. They are expected to be completed in 2026!
Why Wind Works: NY’s New Offshore Wind Projects – We joined our partners at the New York League of Conservation Voters for a webinar on the new offshore wind projects coming to New York. These three projects will power over 2 million homes. Check out the webinar to find out more about Attentive Energy (developed by TotalEnergies), Rise Light & Power, Corio Generation, and Excelsior Wind (developed by Vineyard Offshore), and Community Offshore Wind (developed by RWE Offshore Renewables and National Grid Ventures).
Projects in the NY Bight – The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the offshore wind leases in the NY Bight (the area available for offshore wind between NY and NJ). Three projects—Community Wind, Excelsior Wind, and Attentive Energy—have already been selected by NY and will power millions of homes with clean power. This PEIS will help streamline the review process for offshore wind projects in this area, ensuring that projects are not repeating the same studies and moving us one step closer to a transition off fossil fuels. We testified in support and submitted comments last month.
Long Island Lobby Coalition Goes to Albany
Last month we headed up to Albany for our annual Long Island Lobby Day. We had great meetings with our Senators and Assemblymembers about funding for clean water, sewers, transportation, social services, renewables, waste reduction and more. Our 100+ member coalition is fighting to make sure this year's budget includes funding for critical programs to protect LI's water, health, and quality of life. Thanks to all who joined us for a very productive trip.
Suffolk County Clean Water Referendum
Nitrogen pollution impacts every waterway in Suffolk County. We are fighting for state legislation that would allow residents to vote on a clean water ballot initiative this November and need the Suffolk County Legislature to put the issue on the ballot and let the public decide if an increase of 1/8 cent in the county sales tax should be dedicated to protecting water resources by fixing sewer and septic infrastructure. Last month, we were thrilled to join Suffolk County Executive Romaine, Suffolk legislators, organized labor, and environmentalists for a good news announcement about the clean water referendum. We are extremely encouraged that a referendum for clean water funding can be on the ballot this November in Suffolk County.
Understanding the Health Risks of 1,4-Dioxane on Long Island
Yale Superfund Research Center has crafted a study to better understand the impact of 1,4-dioxane exposure on Long Island residents. Last year, we launched our partnership with Yale to provide education and outreach to inform Long Islanders about this new, exciting program. If you live on Long Island and are interested in participating and finding out if you have been exposed to 1,4-dioxane, you can find out more here.
Climate Reality Project
CCE’s Francine Gordon has been accepted to attend Climate Reality Leadership Training in NYC this Spring! The event will feature former Vice President Al Gore and an all-star lineup of thought leaders, climate experts, and organizers for a training that explores the climate crisis today and the road to a sustainable tomorrow. Congratulations to Francine on being selected for this great opportunity!
Save the Date: Western Bays Community Meeting
We’ll be joining our friends at Operation SPLASH to host a community meeting on restoring our Western Bays on the south shore of Long Island. The forum will review the importance of diverting sewage from the Western Bays, update residents on the proposal to connect the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility and Long Beach Sewage Treatment Plant to an existing ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant, and provide an overview of upgrades that have been made so far. Join us April 2nd at 7:30pm at Operation SPLASH, 202 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport.
Save the Date: Clean Water Symposium: Global Challenges and Local Solutions.
We are joining North Shore Land Alliance to co-host 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 Long Island’s critical natural resources. The symposium will be held on Thursday, May 16th, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Gold Coast Cinema at the LIU Campus in Brookville. Register here.
Save the Date: Protecting Northport Harbor
We are working with Village of Northport, LI to install 2 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 harbor. Join us April 10th at 7pm at Northport Village Hall for a presentation and to offer your feedback on this beneficial new project and learn more about the importance of protecting Northport Harbor from polluted runoff. Register here.
