Water

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.”

STATE SENATOR HARCKHAM: “WE ARE DROWNING IN GARBAGE” AND PLASTICS

STATE SENATOR HARCKHAM: “WE ARE DROWNING IN GARBAGE” AND PLASTICS

Assemblymember Glick and Senator Harckham at the PRRIA press conference in March 2025

We are drowning in garbage. Previous solutions like landfills and incinerators are insufficient and awful for public and environmental health. We need to get smarter about how we deal with our packaging & plastic waste. This bill promotes innovation & saves taxpayers over $1B.

The 2025 Trailblazers in Clean Energy

The 2025 Trailblazers in Clean Energy

Adrienne Esposito, the founder and longtime leader of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, has been launching new coalitions to further her environmental cause. One is Wind Works New York, whose diverse members are transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Another is the New York Clean Water Coalition, made up of water suppliers, wastewater treatment operators and environmental groups advocating for funding to upgrade sewage and drinking water infrastructure. Late last year, Esposito criticized the governor’s veto of the state Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, arguing that the species is subject to local extinction.

30,000 gallons of sewage discharged into Port Jefferson Harbor

30,000 gallons of sewage discharged into Port Jefferson Harbor

On the morning of April 14, an approximate total of 30,000 gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged into Port Jefferson Harbor over the course of two hours. According to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, the discharge was caused by an electrical malfunction on a ultraviolet disinfection unit.  Upon identifying the problem, the plant ran the effluent through a second UV system, while they repaired and tested the first, then returned to routine operations. While the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed that the plant is now operating normally, but there are still health concerns. 

Health officials issue warning after Long Island sewage leak

Health officials issue warning after Long Island sewage leak

Keep children and pets away from the area, officials say. If contact does occur, rinse off the affected area with clean water immediately

Long Island residents living near Port Jefferson Harbor were warned by officials to stay away from the water, and to not even have dogs walk along the shore line. That’s because of a huge sewage spill into the harbor meant high levels of bacteria and viruses were floating around. NBC New York’s Pei-Sze Cheng reports.

Long Island health officials issue warning after sewage leak in Port Jefferson Harbor

Long Island health officials issue warning after sewage leak in Port Jefferson Harbor

A two-hour electrical malfunction led to a sewage spill in Port Jefferson Harbor. 

Thirty thousand gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged from its plant, the Department of Environmental Conservation said. The problem was a partial malfunction of the electrical sewage ultraviolet disinfection system.   

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.

Defending the environment, for all of us

Defending the environment, for all of us

Adrienne Esposito is executive director and a cofounder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit organization fighting for stronger environmental policies.

Herald: Tell me about yourself.

Esposito: I grew up in Copiague, and I literally grew up with one foot in the water and one foot on the land. As a kid, we went crabbing and fishing and to the beach, and my mom would bring us blueberry-picking in the Pine Barrens. And my dad was a really tremendous fisherman and outdoorsmen, so we grew up on the water. So I think that that really connects you to the natural world and impresses upon you the beauty of it and the need to protect it.

WHALE SIGHTINGS ARE UP

WHALE SIGHTINGS ARE UP

While researchers along the East Coast have been documenting an “unusual whale mortality event” since 2016, there is a lot of good news to be told.  Whale biologists have seen an unprecedented number of whales feeding in the waters off of Montauk in recent years.

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 standards, according to a report released Wednesday.

More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

Administrator Lee Zeldin will decide fate of landmark ‘forever chemicals’ standards

ALBANY, N.Y. – More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back its historic, science-based PFAS drinking water standards.

As Main Street in Kings Park gets ripped up for sewers, business owners have hope for the future

As Main Street in Kings Park gets ripped up for sewers, business owners have hope for the future

Repairs to Main Street in Kings Park are underway to advance a $101 million project to connect the downtown business district to sewers, a critical step in revitalizing the hamlet, municipal officials said.

From pro-climate Republican to ‘one of the Trump disruptors’

From pro-climate Republican to ‘one of the Trump disruptors’

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s attacks on his agency’s spending and regulations have made him a rising star in the Trump Cabinet, but left some former colleagues mystified.

President Donald Trump’s wild-card pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency has emerged as one of the most devoted public champions for his efforts to demolish the Biden agenda — and MAGA world is taking notice.

Another Voice: A clean environment strengthens the economy

Another Voice: A clean environment strengthens the economy

The notion that we must choose between a clean environment and a strong economy is an antiquated myth that was debunked decades ago. Decades of experience and peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that what’s good for our environment also drives economic development, saves families money and saves lives.

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