EPA

EPA policy shift plan will have detrimental consequences for climate and public health, LI advocates say

EPA policy shift plan will have detrimental consequences for climate and public health, LI advocates say

 The Trump administration's plan to rescind a rule used to enforce limits on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles will jeopardize health and safety on Long Island while undermining billions of dollars New York has spent electrifying the transportation sector, local environmental advocates and scientific experts say. 

The EPA’s Repeal of Core Greenhouse Gas Rules

The EPA’s Repeal of Core Greenhouse Gas Rules

“Trump’s EPA to repeal core of greenhouse gas rules,” was the Reuters headline this week as Lee Zeldin, chosen by Donald Trump to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced what Reuters said “will rescind the long-standing finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, as well as tailpipe emission standards for vehicles, removing the legal foundation of greenhouse gas regulations across industries.”

EPA to repeal all greenhouse gas vehicle emissions standards, rescind scientific finding that planet-warming gases endanger public health

EPA to repeal all greenhouse gas vehicle emissions standards, rescind scientific finding that planet-warming gases endanger public health

Following through on a pledge made in March, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday that the EPA is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. 

Zeldin's Sound commitment to environmental advocacy group

Zeldin's Sound commitment to environmental advocacy group

As the Environmental Protection Agency lays the groundwork to potentially end its own ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, a delegation from the advocacy group Long Island Sound Citizens Advisory Committee went to Washington last week to meet with someone they knew well: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. The agenda: ensure consistent protection for Long Island Sound amid harsh federal funding cuts.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, on Long Island, criticizes proposed National Estuary Program budget cuts

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, on Long Island, criticizes proposed National Estuary Program budget cuts

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was on Long Island Monday to harshly criticize the proposed $8 million in funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget for the National Estuary Program, which supports clean water initiatives, including those on the Island.

Sen. Gillibrand, local leaders oppose federal funding cuts affecting Peconic Estuar

Sen. Gillibrand, local leaders oppose federal funding cuts affecting Peconic Estuar

U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand paid a visit to Riverhead on Monday morning to warn about President Donald Trump’s proposed $8 million federal funding cut from the National Estuary Program, which could threaten ongoing efforts to maintain and restore the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound.

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Despite widespread PFAS contamination on Long Island, SCWA delivers treated water with no PFOA or PFOS above federal limits.

The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that all treated water it supplies to customers is in full compliance with the federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS—six years ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

When Grumman closed its Calverton weapons plant in 1996, some 3,000 employees lost their jobs.

Now, the U.S. Navy is hoping to connect with those former employees — or family members — as officials search for missing puzzle pieces in the probe of contamination at the sprawling 6,000-acre site.

Op-ed: A look at Zeldin's EPA leadership

Op-ed: A look at Zeldin's EPA leadership

Long Islander Lee Zeldin was thrust into the national spotlight with his nomination by President Donald Trump to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Trump said: “I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor.”

Long Island Sound Docuseries

Long Island Sound Docuseries

The Nature Conservancy co-produced a new documentary series about water pollution in Long Island Sound.

Lights, Camera, Action . . . Long Island Sound! A new docuseries, “Tackling Pollution in Long Island Sound,” will soon be available for viewing by the public at The Nature Conservancy's Connecticut YouTube channel. Two of the series’ four videos premiered in March at the 2025 Long Island Sound Summit.

Trump administration moves to rescind, delay drinking water standards for PFAS 'forever chemicals'

Trump administration moves to rescind, delay drinking water standards for PFAS 'forever chemicals'

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, a former Shirley congressman who spoke on Long Island last month, said the delayed deadline offers “common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance.” Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp

The Trump administration plans to rescind the federal limits on four "forever chemicals" in drinking water and delay the deadline for compliance for two others, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Wednesday, weakening regulations of toxic contaminants that have been found in Long Island's water.

EPA to rescind and reconsider some PFAS standards, delay compliance deadline for others

EPA to rescind and reconsider some PFAS standards, delay compliance deadline for others

The federal Environmental Protection Agency today announced it is delaying by two years the deadline by which water systems must comply with maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS, two of the “forever chemicals” the agency set national standards for last year. 

Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

Some New Yorkers are at a higher risk of exposure to forever chemicals in drinking water.

An Environmental Working Group analysis found 189 of the state’s water systems have PFAS levels above the federal standard but below New York’s standard.

Trump Administration Pushing to Block Renewable Energy Projects

Trump Administration Pushing to Block Renewable Energy Projects

The administration of Donald Trump is making an unbridled push to block renewable energy projects—including last week halting the placement of 54 wind turbines in the ocean south of Long Island, New York—and is pushing fossil fuels, among them coal. The burning of fossil fuels is the leading cause of climate change. Trump has repeatedly called climate change a “hoax.”

Earth Day 2025 had Long Islanders picking up beach trash and worrying about the future

Earth Day 2025 had Long Islanders picking up beach trash and worrying about the future

On Earth Day Tuesday, Long Island residents scoured the shores of Jones Beach, searching for microplastics and other waste that spoil the coastline and harm marine creatures.

EPA ban, phaseout on cancer-causing chemical found in Long Island groundwater partially stalled by industry challenge

EPA ban, phaseout on cancer-causing chemical found in Long Island groundwater partially stalled by industry challenge

'Before we all drop dead'

A federal Environmental Protection Agency measure intended to ban and phase out TCE, a toxin commonly found in contaminated groundwater, including on Long Island, has been delayed, first by a Trump executive order and then litigation.

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

More than 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems for drinking water, and some are being exposed to manmade "forever chemicals" called PFAS, environmentalists say.

The tap water in New York is said to be safe to drink as it meets federal and state standards, but according to a study by the Environmental Working Group, as of March 2025, PFAS have been detected in public water systems in Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties.

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

More than 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems for drinking water, and some are being exposed to manmade "forever chemicals" called PFAS, environmentalists say.

EPA could weaken PFAS rules putting drinking water at risk for millions

EPA could weaken PFAS rules putting drinking water at risk for millions

What It Means For Drinking Water

More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from toxic “forever chemicals” in their drinking water if the Environmental Protection Agency weakens new federal PFAS standardsaccording to a report released Wednesday.