climate change

In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

Contaminated water can lead to a plethora of health risks; cutting funding to maintain estuary water quality will endanger Americans’ well-being

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sounded the alarm on the proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program (NEP) in the president’s FY26 budget. The NEP works to maintain and restore water quality of 28 estuaries across the United States, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to monitor New York’s estuaries and keep them safe from threats such as excess nitrogen pollution, pathogens, and harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to be harmful to public health and the environment. Funding to restore and protect our estuaries also boosts coastal resilience from storms, improves tourism and recreation, and supports local jobs.

PSC cancels New York power line project for offshore wind energy

PSC cancels New York power line project for offshore wind energy

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — New York’s Public Service Commission decided on Thursday to stop the project that would bring offshore wind power to New York City. They said that their decision would protect New Yorkers from paying for expensive power lines that might not be needed soon.

DEC declares majority of Lawrence Aviation site ‘requires no further clean-up’

DEC declares majority of Lawrence Aviation site ‘requires no further clean-up’

On July 2, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gathered with local officials at Port Jefferson’s former Lawrence Aviation site to announce the proposed delisting of 96% of the land from the New York State Superfund Registry.

DEC Announces New 43-Acre Conservation Easement to Preserve Open Space in Brentwood

DEC Announces New 43-Acre Conservation Easement to Preserve Open Space in Brentwood

Easement Permanently Protects Globally Rare Pine Barrens Ecosystem

Advances New York’s ‘30 x 30’ Open Space Protection Goals and Helps Connect New Yorkers in Environmental Justice Communities to the Outdoors

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the permanent protection of more than 43 acres of globally rare pine barrens owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, town of Islip. DEC acquired a conservation easement from the Sisters and will jointly manage the property with them for groundwater an

Long Island Power Authority gets new leader at ‘pivotal’ time

Long Island Power Authority gets new leader at ‘pivotal’ time

Environmentalists, labor leaders, government officials and solar energy companies all welcomed the appointment of Carrie Meek Gallagher to lead the Long Island Power Authority.

It would probably be difficult to imagine someone with a background better suited to leading  LIPA than Gallagher, who takes the helm on July 7. She has more than 25 years of experience in public service, energy regulation and environmental policy — including time monitoring LIPA.

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

Seven Long Island environmental organizations are receiving a combined $659,000 in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts, grow thousands of native plants and create new community gardens, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.

Plan to convey part of Kings Point Park for community center parking lot dies in Albany

Plan to convey part of Kings Point Park for community center parking lot dies in Albany

A proposal to alienate 2.48 acres of Kings Point Park to create a parking lot for a community center died in the State Assembly on Tuesday. 

The bill, proposed by Assemb. Daniel Norber (R-Great Neck), did not make it to the floor before the legislative session ended Tuesday. A companion bill proposed by State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) passed the Senate on Friday.

Push on to pass NY packaging reduction bill

Push on to pass NY packaging reduction bill

Local and statewide environmental advocates are extremely concerned New York state assembly leaders are going to leave Albany next week without approving a packaging reduction bill that they say would cut plastic waste, improve public health and reduce costs for taxpayers.

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.”

Community Leaders Warn of Destructive Impacts of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Community Leaders Warn of Destructive Impacts of Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Leaders of Long Island’s health care, social service organizations and environmental groups warned of the damaging impacts to lives “of neighbors, family, community” as a result of the funding cuts in the Republican budget bill (known as Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”) that passed the House in the middle of the night by a single vote. The bill, while slashing Medicaid, SNAP, clean energy projects and raising costs, delivers the needless tax cuts to the wealthiest, and will explode the national debt by $3.3 trillion.

As the Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee reported, the “GOP Tax Scam” cuts nearly $1 trillion from the health care system – effectively chipping away if not repealing entirely the Affordable Care Act - eliminating health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans including 1.5 million New Yorkers.

Senators Harckham and May Host Public Hearing in Albany on Harmful Algal Blooms

Senators Harckham and May Host Public Hearing in Albany on Harmful Algal Blooms

Highlights the need for action against HABs to protect New York State’s water bodies

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and State Senator Rachel May hosted a public hearing on May 21 here at the State Capitol to evaluate the efficacy of New York State’s monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and to examine potential legislative solutions.

Groups File Brief in Support of Lawsuit Against Ban on Wind Power

Groups File Brief in Support of Lawsuit Against Ban on Wind Power

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – A group of 10 environmental groups filed a legal brief today in support of an effort by states and industry to overturn the Trump administration’s government-wide ban on new wind energy projects. 

Environmental advocates rally for offshore wind project

Environmental advocates rally for offshore wind project

Over 100 environmental advocates, union workers and community members gathered outside the steps of the Nassau County Legislature in Mineola on Tues., April 22, to protest President Donald Trump’s decision to halt wind projects off the coast of Long Island.

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.”

Wind Worries: Will Sunrise Wind Farm Project Get Cancelled Next?

Wind Worries: Will Sunrise Wind Farm Project Get Cancelled Next?

The Trump administration’s stop work order blocking construction of the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project off the coast of Long Beach raised concerns over the fate of Sunrise Wind off Montauk.

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s order to stop work on Empire Wind 1’s 54 turbines on April 16 triggered protests in Nassau County as Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to reverse the decision. But given the unpredictable nature of President Donald Trump, it remained an open question if the Sunrise Wind project might be next on the chopping block.

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.

Advocates rally in Mineola to save Long Island 's Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project

Advocates rally in Mineola to save Long Island 's Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project

Advocates gathered on the front lawn of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building for an Earth Day rally to challenge recent federal actions that have halted the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project.

Organizations present included Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Renewable Energy Long Island, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resource Defense Council, Local Union 3 IBEW, Local Union 806, Local Union 290, Climate Jobs New York, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club Long Island group, All our Energy, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, Minority Millennials and Vision Long Island

An Exciting Game-Changer for Offshore Wind –  Trump Administration Lifts Stop-Work Order on Empire Wind Allowing Construction to Continue.

Governor Hochul’s actions praised for providing massive victory for clean air, renewable energy and good union jobs.

DATE:              Monday, May 19, 2025

CONTACT:      Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 631-384-1378, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org  

Farmingdale, NY – Last month, the Trump Administration announced a stop work order on Empire Wind 1 – the offshore wind farm being built off the coast of Long Beach which would have powered 500,000 homes in NYC. The project was already under construction, creating significant investment in local communities and hundreds of union jobs in support of the growing “wind-ustry” in NY. In response, New York State along with environmental and labor groups have pushed the Administration to reverse the decision and allow Empire Wind to go ahead. The Trump Administration has now lifted the stop-work order. This means New Yorkers will still benefit from green jobs, NY communities will have cleaner air, and we will continue to build clean domestic energy off our coast.

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, issued the following statement.

“Empire Wind make a comeback – may the wind force be with you!  We are thrilled and I may do a cartwheel!  This is cause for celebration and signifies that when all parties come together to discuss important issues that common ground can be reached. This is a huge milestone in the fight for clean energy, clean air and a diversified energy plan. The Empire Wind project provides a significant boost to our emerging ‘wind-ustry’ and our clean energy future. This is a crucial project that benefits everyday New Yorkers by creating good jobs, bolsters the local economy, advances domestic energy, reduces air pollution, and protects public health. We are grateful to all who were involved including Governor Hochul and Congressman Garbarino.”

Mayor Eric Adams backtracks on New York City's composting law with new exemptions from fines

Mayor Eric Adams backtracks on New York City's composting law with new exemptions from fines

In an abrupt backtrack, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration in recent days has exempted most of New York City’s residential buildings from being fined for violating the composting law, which mandates that food scraps and yard waste be separated from the rest of the trash.

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