2024

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW YORK STATE’S LARGEST SOLAR CARPORT AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM AT JFK AIRPORT

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW YORK STATE’S LARGEST SOLAR CARPORT AND BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM AT JFK AIRPORT

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

Three Agreements Announced for Potential Renewable Energy Development

Memorandums of Understanding Will Allow State to Explore Feasibility of Hosting Build-Ready Renewable Energy Projects on Underutilized Sites in the Southern Tier, Western NY, and Long Island

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Four years after cleaning up waste at a Superfund site in West Islip, the state again has detected high levels of a carcinogenic heavy metal in the area — kicking off a blame game among stakeholders in the area that includes outraged residents. 

Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report

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

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.

New York Fails to Reach Contracts with Three Major Offshore Wind Farms

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

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.

We need to have the best water possible

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

DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site

Workers wearing protective gear toiled Wednesday by a pit at Bethpage Community Park where contractors found six chemical drums last week as state officials said the discovery presented “no immediate threat to public health” at the site where Grumman Aerospace dumped toxins decades ago.

Long Island landscaping firm Affa Organics to pay $100G in settlement over pine barrens destruction

Long Island landscaping firm Affa Organics to pay $100G in settlement over pine barrens destruction

A Medford-based landscaping company will pay a $100,000 penalty after the company chopped down trees, bulldozed land and excavated soil in the protected Long Island Central Pine Barrens 12 years ago without a permit, State Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday.

Biden administration announces new safety standards for tap water

Biden administration announces new safety standards for tap water

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency is requiring water suppliers to test for six manmade chemicals known as PFAS to clean the tap water in the homes of millions nationwide.  

New EPA limits on PFAS 'forever chemicals' set stricter standards for Long Island drinking water

New EPA limits on PFAS 'forever chemicals' set stricter standards for Long Island drinking water

The federal government will, for the first time, require utilities to limit “forever chemicals” in drinking water linked to cancers, developmental damage and other health problems, imposing stricter levels than current state standards on the contaminants in Long Island drinking water.

EPA announces strict federal drinking water standard for PFAS contamination

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.

Attorney General James Sues World’s Largest Beef Producer for Misrepresenting Environmental Impact of Their Products

Attorney General James Sues World’s Largest Beef Producer for Misrepresenting Environmental Impact of Their Products

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against JBS USA Food Company and JBS USA Food Company Holdings (JBS USA), the American subsidiary of the world’s largest producer of beef products, for misleading the public about its environmental impact. JBS USA has claimed that it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite documented plans to increase production, and therefore increase its carbon footprint.

Great Lakes Plover Protectors Meet With DC Lawmakers

Great Lakes Plover Protectors Meet With DC Lawmakers

This spring, through our Audubon in the Parks partnership and as NY co-lead for the Healing Our Waters coalition, Audubon hosted three young conservationists from the Great Lakes basin to attend "Great Lakes Day 2024" in Washington D.C., where they were invited to share their stories and passion for the health of the Great Lakes with legislators.

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

They’re doing it for the shellfish.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have just announced a joint effort to track the ebb and flow of Patchogue wastewater.

To that end, the agencies will conduct a hydrographic dye study of wastewater from the Village of Patchogue Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hammond St. from March 24 to March 30.