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Highlights
CCE Releases New Report: PFAS and Produce
We worked with Stony Brook University and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) to release a new collaborative study that examined whether PFAS chemicals were detected in four types of locally grown vegetables on Long Island. Unfortunately, we found PFAS detections in all the samples tested. In March, we released the report and held a Lunch and Learn virtual presentation to discuss the results. Ultimately, this is another reason we need to reduce our PFAS exposure to protect our health and environment. We are currently advocating to protect New York from PFAS “forever chemicals” by banning them in everyday products. This legislation has passed the NY Senate, but still needs to pass the Assembly. Email your NYS Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today and urge them to pass this important legislation!
U.S. House Votes to Reauthorize Great Lakes Restoration Initiative!
In late March, the U.S. House voted with strong bipartisan support to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program through 2031. Since 2010, the GLRI has invested over $5 billion in restoring the health of the Great Lakes—cleaning up toxic hot spots (e.g. Buffalo River and Rochester Embayment), fighting invasive species (e.g. Asian carp & Sea Lamprey), protecting habitat, and more. We’ve made progress, but we have much more work to do. GLRI authorization is set to expire in October of 2026, unless reauthorized by Congress. We are grateful that the U.S. House took action, and we are now urging the U.S. Senate to follow suit!
Victory! Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia Offshore Wind Projects Come Online
In December 2025, the Trump Administration abruptly and unjustifiably halted construction on five offshore wind projects. All five projects successfully fought for the court to overturn the stop-work orders and allow construction to continue. The two projects off New York’s coast - Sunrise and Empire Wind - are once again under construction and will ultimately power over 1 million NY homes with renewable energy. In March, the three other offshore wind projects came online. Revolution Wind in Connecticut, Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind are now powering homes with clean, renewable energy generated right off the east coast. This is a huge victory for offshore wind and for fighting climate change!
Happenings
Working to Protect the Great Lakes in D.C.
CCE’s Brian Smith headed down to D.C. in March with our partners in the Healing Our Waters Coalition for Great Lakes Days. We met with many members of New York’s Congressional delegation, urging them to fully fund and reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, fully fund and reauthorize the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and pass a Farm Bill that supports clean water and conservation. We’ve made real progress to protect and restore the health of the lakes, but we still have work to do and will keep fighting!
Heading to Albany for Long Island Lobby Day
Last month we once again went to Albany for our 18th Annual Long Island Lobby Day! CCE co-chairs the Long Island Lobby Coalition, a diverse group of Long Island small businesses, civics, human services, labor, transportation and environmental advocates, which work to advance a shared agenda for Long Island. This year we talked about funding for clean water, expanding solar energy, assisting small businesses, improving transportation, supporting affordable housing, improving human services and more. Thank you to the representatives of the NY Senate and Assembly, as well as the Governor’ staff, who met with us for some very productive discussions.
Gearing Up for the Long Island Sound High School Summit
We joined our partners at Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and Friends of the Bay on visits to several high schools to educate students on the importance of protecting the Long Island Sound. We spoke about our ongoing restoration efforts through the Long Island Sound Partnership and our current challenges such as nitrogen loading, habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change and plastic pollution. As part of our upcoming LI Sound High School Summit, students will prepare a project related to protection and restoration of the Sound and then participate in an educational field trip to The WaterFront Center in May to experience hands-on learning about the Sound.
Tackling Plastic Pollution
We held a virtual Lunch and Learn presentation last month on the plastic pollution crisis facing Long Island’s beaches, bays, harbors, and estuaries. Plastics and other pollution such as fishing gear, scrap metal, rubber, and glass don’t break down in the environment. Instead, these materials accumulate in our oceans and bays, and wash ashore threatening our wildlife, degrading beaches and polluting marine ecosystems. Grassroots cleanup efforts are critical to combating this crisis and Operation SPLASH and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) are leading the charge on Long Island. Check out the video to learn about plastic pollution on Long Island and what you can do to help.
Waters to Peoples: Community Meeting
We co-hosted our 3rd indigenous community meeting focused on protecting the marine life of Long Island Sound. In partnership with The Metoac Indigenous Collective and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, this event focused on the marine mammals and sea turtles found in our local waters and their cultural, ecological, and community significance. We spoke of the environmental challenges facing Long Island Sound and collaborative stewardship and ways the public can help protect these species. It was great to learn about Indigenous knowledge systems and tribal cultural practices, and how relationship-building between communities and scientists strengthens conservation efforts. Thanks to all who participated.
Talking Climate Change with Uniondale High School
As part of our continuing partnership with Uniondale High School, we headed into the school in March and gave classroom presentations to over 250 students about combatting climate change, environmental impacts on Long Island and embracing offshore wind and renewable energy. We highlighted the pathways into clean energy careers, empowering the next generation to be part of the solution. A huge thank you to the teachers and administrative staff for your continued partnership in bringing these important conversations into the classroom.
Urging Governor Hochul not to Roll Back NY’s Climate Law
New York State stepped up as a national leader when we passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019—driving investment in clean, renewable energy, creating jobs, reducing our dependence on polluting, expensive fossil fuels, and protecting the safety of our most vulnerable communities. Regrettably, Governor Hochul is now signaling that she may roll back the state’s landmark law, which would put our families at risk to the rising cost of fossil fuels and increased air pollution in our communities. While the Trump administration gives the fossil fuel industry a free pass to emit toxins into our air, denies the scientific reality of climate change, and recklessly stops job-creating renewable energy projects in their tracks—we are urging New York State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, to do better. If you haven’t yet, email Governor Hochul today and urge her NOT to weaken the CLCPA!
Long Island Youth Climate Summit
We had a great time at the 2026 Long Island Youth Climate Summit with Students for Climate Action and Renewable Energy Long Island, where 200+ students representing 13 High Schools from all across Long Island came together for a day of education, collaboration and inspiration. Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, spoke on activism, climate change, offshore wind and misinformation on social media. Students learned that the best way to advocate is by simply showing up, standing up, and speaking up!
