CCE in the News

'Let them build': New York governor vows to take 'hard look' at environmental review process

'Let them build': New York governor vows to take 'hard look' at environmental review process

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed this week to take "a hard look" at the environmental review steps developers must follow to have state and local governments approve new home-building projects.

The current review process hasn't been updated "in literally half a century," and, in its current form, it holds up the construction of affordable housing New Yorkers desperately need now, the governor said Tuesday in a State of the State address in Albany. The governor hinted that changes could be underway that would get housing construction projects approved much faster and more easily.

State extends deadline for Brookhaven landfill cleanup report

State extends deadline for Brookhaven landfill cleanup report

State environmental conservation officials have given Brookhaven Town an additional three months to recommend cleanup plans for a miles-long toxic plume emanating from the town landfill.

The Department of Environmental Conservation set a new May 1 deadline for finishing the report, which is expected to outline plans for cleaning up the landfill after groundwater testing in 2023 discovered so-called "forever chemicals" in the plume, which extends about 4 miles from Brookhaven hamlet south toward Bellport Bay.

New York state taking legal action against Trump administration over halted offshore wind farm construction

New York state taking legal action against Trump administration over halted offshore wind farm construction

New York state is taking legal action against the Trump administration for halting construction of five offshore wind farms. Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul joined hundreds of workers whose livelihoods depend on projects already under construction. 

Hochul on administration's explanation for pause: "It is BS"

Hochul and union members rally against Trump’s wind project suspension

Hochul and union members rally against Trump’s wind project suspension

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Developers of wind projects along the East Coast, two of them on Long Island, are escalating their battle against the trump administration’s freeze on further development.  

They claim the projects pose a threat to national security. Governor Kathy Hochul joined union members in Hauppauge to lash out at Washington.

New York to Phase In Protections for Horseshoe Crabs

New York to Phase In Protections for Horseshoe Crabs

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will ultimately ban the catch and biomedical use of the crabs.

New York State will phase out the catch of horseshoe crabs in its waters for bait and biomedical use over the next four years, beginning in 2026.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Landmark $3.8 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure During SFY 2025

Governor Hochul Celebrates Landmark $3.8 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure During SFY 2025

$1.1 Billion in Targeted Grants are Making Projects Affordable for Communities

 New SFY 2025 Clean Water Funding Report Details Coordinated Efforts of Seven Agencies

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the State’s $3.8 billion investment in local water infrastructure projects during State Fiscal Year 2025. A newly released New York State Clean Water Funding Report shows that New York delivered $1.1 billion in water quality grants in a single fiscal year, significantly reducing costs for local governments, families and businesses. Governor Hochul’s administration is providing unprecedented support to advance drinking water, wastewater and stormwater upgrades that are protecting public health and the environment, building community resiliency, improving quality of life and creating good-paying jobs.

How the EPA says cleanups are working at 5 Long Island Superfund sites

How the EPA says cleanups are working at 5 Long Island Superfund sites

Cleanup remedies at five Long Island hazardous waste sites "continue to be effective in protecting human health," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said this week, though some of the toxic areas need continued monitoring. 

The agency conducted the federally mandated reviews at Superfund sites located in Glen Cove, Port Jefferson Station, Franklin Square and East Farmingdale. Across New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, 32 federal Superfund sites were appraised, which happen every five years, the EPA said. 

Trump Puts Brakes on Two New York Offshore Wind Projects

Trump Puts Brakes on Two New York Offshore Wind Projects

The Trump administration on Monday renewed their campaign against two offshore wind projects in New York waters.

Citing unspecified national security risks, the U.S. Department of the Interior “paused” the leases for the Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, both already under construction, plus three additional major offshore wind projects in other states.

Hochul signs Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, setting phase-out of harvesting in New York

Hochul signs Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, setting phase-out of harvesting in New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul yesterday signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, legislation that will phase out the taking of horseshoe crabs from New York waters for commercial and biomedical purposes over a three-year transition period, with a full prohibition taking effect in 2029, according to the bill’s lead Assembly sponsor, Deborah Glick.  

Environmental Advocates Celebrate Passage Of Horseshoe Crab Protection Legislation

Environmental Advocates Celebrate Passage Of Horseshoe Crab Protection Legislation

NEW YORK — Environmental advocates are rejoicing after news that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which will phase out harvesting horseshoe crabs from New York waters. 

The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs from state waters for commercial and biomedical uses, environmental advocates said.

Excessive lead levels found in water at schools across Long Island

Excessive lead levels found in water at schools across Long Island

Testing is underway at dozens of Long Island schools after lead was found in the water in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. It comes after New York changed the acceptable levels of lead that can be found in school drinking water. NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.

Hundreds of schools across New York must remove their old water fountains

Hundreds of schools across New York must remove their old water fountains

Lead testing shows more than one-third of school buildings exceed the state's lead limit. CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff explains the numbers and what districts have to do next.

Dozens of Long Island school districts test positive for lead in water

Dozens of Long Island school districts test positive for lead in water

According to the state, more than 40 school districts in Suffolk County and over 20 districts in Nassau County have faucets or water fountains with lead levels exceeding the state’s newly enforced limit.

New data from the New York State Department of Health shows that dozens of Long Island school districts have tested positive for lead in their drinking water, prompting concerns among parents and advocates and requiring districts to take corrective action.

Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Farmingdale schools

Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Farmingdale schools

Water testing revealed elevated lead levels at several school buildings, prompting shutoffs, repairs, and plans to replace older fountains

The Farmingdale School District is notifying parents after recent testing found elevated levels of lead in drinking water at several school buildings.

Suffolk County Legislator Englebright honors CCE for 40 years of advocacy

Suffolk County Legislator Englebright honors CCE for 40 years of advocacy

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) invited Citizens Campaign for the Environment co-founder Adrienne Esposito and CCE board and staff members to the Suffolk County Legislature’s Nov. 25th General Meeting to honor them for 40 years of advocacy. Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) joined Englebright at the podium, where the CCE team received a proclamation along with flowers and balloons.

Smallest low-oxygen 'dead zones' in Long Island Sound since 1987

Smallest low-oxygen 'dead zones' in Long Island Sound since 1987

Low-oxygen areas in Long Island Sound dropped last summer to the smallest footprint recorded in nearly 40 years, according to data from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

"This is great news," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment in Farmingdale. "This is what happens when you have reliable funding, meaningful collaboration, strong public support, and good science — all working together."

Long Islanders Call on Gov. Hochul to Sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill into Law

Long Islanders Call on Gov. Hochul to Sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill into Law

Will New York Governor Kathy Hochul sign or again veto a bill to protect horseshoe crabs that, by large majorities, passed again in the State Legislature earlier this year? Hochul vetoed the same bill last year.

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