CCE in the News

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.

A year later, plans unsettled for the closure of Brookhaven Landfill

A year later, plans unsettled for the closure of Brookhaven Landfill

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine at an environmental symposium on Wednesday, March 13 at Stony Brook University.

This year marks the beginning of the end for Brookhaven Landfill.

That is what spurred discussion among industry groups and environmental advocates at an environmental symposium on Wednesday, March 13 at Stony Brook University, seeking answers for the future of waste disposal on Long Island.

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

State officials and the Food and Drug Administration are using a water-tracing dye to track Patchogue's wastewater in order to protect consumers of shellfish harvested in waters off Long Island's South Shore.

On March 25, wastewater from the Patchogue wastewater treatment plant will be treated over a period of 12.5 hours with low concentrations of dye, as part of a study to understand the treated effluent discharging into the Patchogue River and Patchogue Bay.

Officials Mark Completion Of Milestone South Fork Wind Project

Officials Mark Completion Of Milestone South Fork Wind Project

"There are very few moments in time that we can see positive change for our future and this is one of them."

MONTAUK, NY — It was a milestone day in Montauk Thursday as Governor Kathy Hochul today, alongside other elected officials, announced the completion of the South Fork Wind project, with all 12 offshore wind turbines constructed and the wind farm successfully delivering power to Long Island and the Rockaways.

Senators Stabenow and Peters introduce legislation to extend Great Lakes protections

Senators Stabenow and Peters introduce legislation to extend Great Lakes protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) recently introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which extends this critical program for another five years through 2031, and increases annual funding levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031.

Suffolk's 10 towns to create plan for regional waste program

Suffolk's 10 towns to create plan for regional waste program

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said Wednesday he would convene a meeting of the county’s 10 towns to begin discussing plans for a regional solid waste program to prepare for the closure of the Brookhaven landfill.

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of South Fork Wind, First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in the United States

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of South Fork Wind, First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in the United States

All 12 Turbines Powered Up and Will Deliver Electricity Across Long Island and the Rockaways

Represents Progress Toward State’s Climate Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Energy By 2035

Governor Kathy Hochul today, alongside the United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and other elected officials, announced the completion of the landmark South Fork Wind project, with all 12 offshore wind turbines constructed and the wind farm successfully delivering power to Long Island and the Rockaways. Today marks a historic milestone as New York becomes home to America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm.

Statements In Support Of The 2024 Senate Majority One-House Budget Proposal

Statements In Support Of The 2024 Senate Majority One-House Budget Proposal

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment said, “Clean water and a healthy environment are necessities not luxury items that can be neglected during difficult economic times.

Suffolk's 10 towns to create plan for regional waste program

Suffolk's 10 towns to create plan for regional waste program

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said Wednesday he would convene a meeting of the county’s 10 towns to begin discussing plans for a regional solid waste program to prepare for the closure of the Brookhaven landfill.

Speaking at a Stony Brook University environmental symposium, Romaine warned the landfill closure, expected by early 2028, would have a ripple effect across Long Island as contractors and municipalities ship more waste to out-of-state landfills — boosting construction costs and taxes.

Another Voice: New York has much more work to do to protect clean water

Another Voice: New York has much more work to do to protect clean water

Under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York has been a national leader in funding the protection of clean water, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels. Given the massive clean water needs that exist throughout New York, it’s perplexing that the governor proposed to slash clean water funding by 50%, from $500 million down to $250 million, in this year’s budget.

Frontier-era delay at campground

Frontier-era delay at campground

Adirondack Park Lobby Day

It’s not Adirondack Park Lobby Day without plaid. Around 100 people attended last week at the state Capitol in Albany, many donning red-and-black plaid scarves, to advocate for more park funding and for the above issue on title insurance.

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

New York State has conditionally awarded new contracts to the developers of offshore wind farms with the goal of countering headwinds that the industry has faced since South Fork Wind went online.

NY Governor Hochul Announces Two Offshore Wind Project Awards

NY Governor Hochul Announces Two Offshore Wind Project Awards

Empire Wind I and Sunrise Wind Will Foster More Than 800 Near-term, Family-Sustaining Jobs

  • $2 Billion in Near-Term Economic Development Investments, Including Support to Disadvantaged Communities

  • Awarded Projects Totaling Over 1,700 Megawatts of Clean Energy – The Largest Power Generating Projects in New York State in Over 35 Years

  • Enables the Construction of One of the Largest Dedicated Offshore Wind Port Facilities in the United States at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal

  • Represents Progress Toward State’s Climate Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind Energy by 2035

New York attorney general sues world's largest beef producer over greenhouse gas emissions

New York attorney general sues world's largest beef producer over greenhouse gas emissions

According to Letitia James, JBS USA's promise to try to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 is just a marketing strategy.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against JBS USA, the world's leading beef producer, accusing the company of misleading the public about its impact on the environment.