Highlights and Happenings: October 2021

Image by Julia Hanf from Pixabay 

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! NY Votes Yes for Clean Water and Air! 

This fall, New Yorkers had the historic opportunity to establish the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment in the Bill of Rights of the New York State Constitution. We joined the Vote YES for Clean Air and Water coalition to establish the highest legal protection available under law to protect public health and the environment. This initiative creates legal safeguards for New Yorkers to secure clean air and water for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who went out to the polls and votes YES for clean air and water. 

Victory: Full Protections Restored to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument!

We applaud President Biden for restoring protections to the Atlantic’s only Marine National Monument. This area off the coast of New England will be protected from commercial fishing and offshore drilling, while ensuring safe, pristine ocean habitat that will benefit whales, dolphins and other marine life for generations to come. The monument serves as a living laboratory for scientific exploration and discovery, with two new species of coral discovered on just one recent expedition! 

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Happenings

Combatting PFAS Contamination in Connecticut 

In October, we hosted a virtual forum on PFAS, the “forever chemical” found in waters across the state and the nation. The forum was designed to educate our CT members on the most up-to-date science and efforts currently underway at the state level to protect public health from these toxic chemicals. The program featured expert guest speakers from Clean Water Action and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), as well as an overview of the new PFAS law by State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport). Watch the full virtual forum here. 

Developing a Shared Vision for Clean Water in New York 

For the fifth year, we convened a broad, diverse group of stakeholders from around the state for our annual Clean Water Roundtable. This group of environmental leaders, water suppliers, wastewater treatment operators, environmental justice organizations, construction contractors, and other clean water stakeholders work together to develop a list of shared priorities for clean water in New York State. Roundtable participants heard from NYS Deptartment of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, Basil Seggos, as well as from experts who gave presentations on drinking and wastewater infrastructure needs, emerging contaminants, source water protection, and lead drinking water pipes. Based on the presentation and subsequent discussion, we will be creating a collaborative action plan our diverse group can work together to achieve in 2022, so stay tuned! 

Fighting for Clean Air in NY and CT 

The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and accounts for about 29% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional approach—among Northeast states—to addressing the pollution and climate change emissions from the transportation sector. The TCI would require oil companies to pay for the pollution their products cause, which will allow for needed investments in a clean transportation and public health improvements, such as expanded public transportation, more zero emission vehicles, making communities bike-friendly, and more. We are working to advance TCI in NY and CT. Find out how you can help here. 

Celebrating Long Island’s Largest Sewer Expansion in nearly 50 Years 

We are thrilled to announce that ground was broken in October on the Carlls River sewer project! We were proud to stand with Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone, Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Suffolk Legislators, and our environmental and labor partners to celebrate the Long Island's largest sewer expansion project in decades. This project is critical to achieve our goals of reducing nitrogen pollution, restoring water quality, and improving coastal resiliency. 

Cutting Climate Pollution in Downstate NY 

One major obstacle to meeting NY’s ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s mandates is that there is a “tale of two grids” In NYS. Upstate uses 88% zero-emission resources but only represents 1/3rd of the energy load, while downstate is 2/3rds of the load and uses 69% fossil fuels. NYC presents a unique challenge to achieving CLCPA goals and is very reliant on fossil fuels, with outdated local peaker plants polluting disadvantaged communities. In October, the state selected two projects - a 1300MW transmission line to bring wind and solar from upstate to the NY metro area and a transmission line to bring existing Canadian hydropower to the NYC grid – to help ensure that we meet our renewable energy goals. Last month, we co-hosted a public virtual forum on the Clean Path project and had a meeting with Hydro-Quebec to discuss these two critical projects. Learn more and view our virtual forums on both projects here. 

How Was Long Island’s Water Quality for Summer 2021? 

Want to know more about the health of Long Island's waters this year? We joined Dr. Chris Gobler, The Nature Conservancy in New York, and Suffolk Deputy County Executive Pete Scully to discuss what impairments we saw in our bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers at the release of the 2021 Long Island Water Quality Impairments map. Nitrogen pollution has once again caused harmful algal blooms, fish kills, depleted oxygen, and other problems in nearly every waterbody on the island. Efforts to reduce nitrogen from sewage has led to improved water quality in some areas, while many of our waterways saw worsening toxic tides due to excessive nitrogen pollution. 

Highlights and Happenings: September 2021

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Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Celebrating Our Equinox Gala 

We had an amazing night celebrating 36 years of grassroots accomplishments with our partners, supporters, and friends at our annual Equinox Gala. This year we were overjoyed to honor NY Senator Todd Kaminsky and NY Assemblyman Steve Englebright for their leadership in passing critical legislation to fight climate change, protect drinking water, combat plastic pollution, ban emerging contaminants, preserve open space, and more. A huge thank you to everyone who came out and made the night so unforgettable! 

Offshore Wind in New York Hits New Milestones 

September was another big month for offshore wind in New York. The state has already selected five offshore wind farms, which together, will get NY halfway to its goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. Each of these five projects will go through a full environmental review with opportunities for public comment before construction can begin. In September, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) kicked off the scoping process for the Sunrise Wind project, which will be located 30 miles off Montauk and bring clean power to 600,000 Long Island homes. Thanks to everyone who participated in the virtual public meetings and submitted comments in favor of this important offshore wind project. Also thank you to everyone who weighed in on designated new wind energy areas in the New York Bight at the beginning of the month. We cannot achieve 9,000 MW of offshore wind without these new designated areas for wind turbines! 

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Happenings

Protect Our Pollinators from Toxic Pesticides 

Declining honeybee populations and contamination of New York’s water resources from neonic pesticides is widespread, threatening our health and environment across the state. Neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental uses, pose an unnecessary risk to pollinators and our environment, while providing no net benefit to farmers and gardeners. In September, we were in Albany fighting to protect our birds, bees, water, and public health from toxic neonic pesticides. We joined our partners for a press event prior to testifying at the NYS Assembly hearing highlighting the need to ban the most dangerous and unnecessary uses of neonics through passage of the Birds and Bees Protection Act! 

Fighting for Clean Air in NY and CT 

Burning fossil fuels, including gasoline and diesel, releases greenhouse gas and other harmful air pollutants into the atmosphere. The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and accounts for about 29% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional approach to addressing the pollution and climate change emissions from the transportation sector. New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and the District of Columbia are working to tackle the massive challenge of reducing climate pollution from the transportation sector on a regional level. This unprecedented collaboration seeks to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy, and reduce carbon emissions from transportation, but we need our elected leaders in NY and CT to sign on and work towards adopting TCI in our states. Find out how you can help here. 

Building Long Island’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain 

We joined many of our #WindworksLI partners for a conference held by Congressman Tom Suozzi on Long Island's Offshore Wind Supply Chain in September. In addition to fighting climate change and playing a major role in transitioning NY from fossil fuels to renewables, offshore wind also presents an unprecedented opportunity to grow a green economy and 21st century jobs in New York. It was a great opportunity to discuss Long Island's growing offshore wind industry with leading suppliers, manufacturers, labor leaders, and environmentalists. If you missed it, you can watch a video of the conference here. 

Vote Yes for Clean Water and Air! 

This fall, New Yorkers will have the historic opportunity to establish the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment into the Bill of Rights of the New York State constitution. We have joined the Vote YES for Clean Air and Water coalition to establish the highest legal protection available under law to protect public health and the environment. This election season, registered voters across New York State will be able to vote YES to guarantee: “Each person shall have the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” Voting YES on environmental rights will create legal safeguards for New Yorkers to secure clean air and water for generations to come. And we’ll need your help to get the word out to voters from the Adirondacks to the Great Lakes to Long Island Sound and everywhere in between. Click here to learn more about the campaign and pledge to vote YES for clean water and air! 

Celebrating Climate Week 

What a great Climate Week from September 20-26! We were thrilled to join Governor Kathy Hochul, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, elected leaders, and community stakeholders to celebrate the grand opening of the Environmental Education and Resiliency Center at Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island. It was a great ribbon cutting for the fantastic new nature center. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership on fighting climate change. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

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Upcoming: Lunch and Learn Virtual Series – Clean Path NY 

We’ve teamed up with the New York League of Conservation Voters to offer a series of virtual public education forums that will explore clean energy proposals to potentially bring energy to downstate New York. To achieve our NYS goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030, we will need a wide range of large-scale renewable energy projects to deliver power to NYC. In September, NYS selected two projects, Hydro-Quebec’s project and Clean Path NY. On October 7th at noon, we will be hosting a virtual meeting on Clean Path NY. Register today. 

Highlights and Happenings: August 2021

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

U.S. Senate Passes Historic Infrastructure Bill! 

The bipartisan $1.2 trillion “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” passed the U.S. Senate in August (the U.S. House is tentatively scheduled to vote on the bill in late September)! We were successful in getting a number of our priorities funded in the bill, including: 

• $55 billion for clean water infrastructure: This funding is necessary to upgrade wastewater infrastructure and prevent sewage overflows, replace lead service lines that provide drinking water to our homes, and treat drinking water for emerging contaminants, such as the “forever chemical” known as PFAS.

• $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI): The GLRI has been a success in cleaning up toxic hot spots, fighting invasive species, and driving economic development, but there is still a lot of work to be done and this additional funding is greatly needed. Our Associate Executive Director Brian Smith stood with our clean water partners and Senator Charles Schumer at a press conference in August and called the funding a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to catapult Great Lakes restoration forward once and for all."

• $106 million for Long Island Sound restoration programs. This historic funding level for LI Sound will support critical aquaculture research, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration and citizen science throughout the LI Sound watershed, so that improvements in LI Sound can continue for generations to come. Last month, we joined Senator Charles Schumer in New York and Senator Richard Blumenthal in Connecticut for press conferences to celebrate the passage of this bill in the Senate and the inclusion of this critical funding for Long Island Sound.

• $4.7 billion to plug abandoned oil and gas wells: New York has identified at least 2,400 orphaned oil and gas wells in the state, although state agencies estimate there may be as many as 34,000. These wells leak methane (a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change) and toxic chemicals that pollute groundwater. This funding will allow New York to plug and remediate all the documented orphan wells in the state, while creating thousands of jobs!

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Happenings

Vote Yes For Clean Water and Air! 

This fall, New Yorkers will have the historic opportunity to establish the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment into the Bill of Rights of the New York State constitution. We have joined the Vote YES for Clean Air and Water coalition to establish the highest legal protection available under law to protect public health and the environment. This election season, registered voters across New York State will be able to vote YES to guarantee: “Each person shall have the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” Voting YES on environmental rights will create legal safeguards for New Yorkers to secure clean air and water for generations to come. And we’ll need your help to get the word out to voters from the Adirondacks to the Great Lakes to Long Island Sound and everywhere in between. Click here to learn more about the campaign and pledge to vote YES for clean water and air! 

Offshore Wind in New York Hits New Milestones 

August was a big month for offshore wind in New York. The state has already selected five offshore wind farms, which together, will get NY halfway to its goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. Each of these five projects will go through a full environmental review, including public comment. Over the last two months, we hit some big milestones for these important projects: 

• Draft environmental review of new wind energy areas off New York shores.

• Final environmental review for the South Fork Wind Farm.

• Kick off of the review process for Empire Wind off the south shore of Long Island.

• Kick off of the review process for Sunrise Wind off of Montauk.

We weighed in on all these projects and will continue to keep you updated on the status of crucial developments on offshore wind. We also want to give a giant thank you to everyone who joined in public meetings and submitted comments in favor of these projects and spoke out on the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to offshore wind. We are closer than ever to seeing offshore wind in New York, so stay tuned throughout the fall to find more ways you can make your voice heard and say yes to renewable energy!   

Get Long Island Water Quality Updates in Real Time 

We were thrilled joined with Dr. Chris Gobler and his partners at the Gobler Laboratory to announce a new Long Island water quality app. This is an amazing new tool that will allow Long Islanders to find out in real time about water quality, beach closures, and open shellfishing grounds, while encouraging us to get out and safely enjoy our amazing bays, estuaries, and rivers. 

Kicking Butts in Western New York 

In August, we joined with our partners at Tobacco-Free Roswell Park, Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper, the Buffalo Sewer Authority, and other members of the Kick Butts Collaborative (KBC) for a press conference on the issue of cigarette butt pollution. Cigarette butts, which are made with plastic and can leak toxic chemicals into our environment, are the number one littered item found in beach cleanups around the Great Lakes. The KBC is educating the public about the problem and working to advance solutions to prevent cigarette butt pollution in our communities. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

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Upcoming: Lunch and Learn Virtual Series - Learn More about Innovative Proposals to Bring Clean Energy to Downstate New York 

We’ve teamed up with the New York League of Conservation Voters to offer a series of virtual public education forums that will explore clean energy proposals to potentially bring energy to downstate New York. To achieve our NYS goal of 70% renewable energy by 2030, we will need a wide range of large-scale renewable energy projects to deliver power to NYC. We have already hosted one forum on a proposal to bring excess Canadian hydropower to the city and we will be hosting three virtual events on proposed projects throughout September and October. You can learn more, view recordings of past events, and register for upcoming events here. 

Upcoming: What’s Brewing Offshore? 

Join CCE, along with our partners at The New York League of Conservation Voters, Climate Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, Long Island Association, and Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO for a happy hour event celebrating offshore wind in Long Beach on September 13th at 5:30pm. Have a drink while you learn more about the planned offshore wind projects and the labor and job opportunities expected on Long Island in the coming years as part of this emerging industry. Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, only those registered for the event will be able to attend, so register today! 

Upcoming: Long Island’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain Conference 

We will be joining many of our #WindworksLI partners for a conference held by Congressman Tom Suozzi on Long Island's Offshore Wind Supply Chain on September 17th.This is a great opportunity to discuss Long Island's growing offshore wind industry with leading suppliers, manufacturers, labor leaders, and environmentalists. You can find out more and RSVP here. 

Highlights and Happenings: July 2021

Image by Heiko Stein from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Celebrating Passage of Connecticut’s PFAS Law 

We were thrilled to attend a bill signing ceremony for a new law prohibiting the use of food packaging and firefighting foam treated with toxic PFAS in CT. The law will go a long way to protect human health from PFAS chemicals which can leach out of food packaging, and to prevent contamination of CT waterways from fluorinated firefighting foams. The law also authorizes CT to establish a buyback program to remove stockpiles of PFAS-treated foams that remain in storage at airports, military installations, and firefighting training facilities across the state. 

Victory! Suffolk County, NY Passes Honeybee Protection Bill 

Honeybees are an integral component of our food web, but unfortunately, global populations of honeybees have declined since 2005. We worked with Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski to craft and introduce an important bill to prevent exterminators in Suffolk County from exterminating honeybee hives without first calling a beekeeper. Beekeepers can come to resident’s homes, remove the hive and provide the honeybees with a safe home. 

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Happenings

Voices for Wind 

Offshore wind will play a crucial role in allowing NY to reach our renewable energy targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Law. To ensure we meet these important goals, including 9,000MW of offshore wind, we have been working with a diverse coalition of student groups, community stakeholders, elected leaders, environmental experts, labor leaders, and more to voice support for offshore wind on Long Island. We recently compiled short videos from a variety of these prominent “Voices for Wind” in an interactive map, which allows our partners and the public to share why they support transitioning away from fossil fuels to offshore wind in their community. Check out our “Voices for Wind” series today! 

Vote Yes For Clean Water and Air! 

This fall, New Yorkers will have the historic opportunity to establish the right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment into the Bill of Rights of the New York State constitution. We have joined the Vote YES for Clean Air and Water coalition to establish the highest legal protection available under law to protect public health and the environment. This election season, registered voters across New York State will be able to vote YES to guarantee: “Each person shall have the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” Voting YES on environmental rights will create legal safeguards for New Yorkers to secure clean air and water for generations to come. And we’ll need your help to get the word out to voters from the Adirondacks to the Great Lakes to Long Island Sound and everywhere in between. Click here to learn more about the campaign and pledge to vote YES for clean water and air! 

Fighting for Federal Action on PFAS 

We joined with U.S. Senator Blumenthal and our allies at Clean Water Action CT last month for a press conference calling attention to the use of toxic PFAS in many cosmetic products. Putting on lipstick and mascara in the morning should not mean increasing our risk of cancer. We are pushing for the adoption of bipartisan legislation prohibiting PFAS from cosmetics at the federal level. 

Slash Transportation-Section Carbon Pollution 

The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the NY, CT and the U.S. The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional approach to addressing the pollution and climate change emissions from the transportation sector. TCI seeks to improve transportation, develop the clean energy economy, and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. TCI would provide green jobs, protect the health of communities, help New York meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets and address climate change. However, New York has yet to commit to the TCI-P. We are urging Governor Cuomo to commit New York to the TCI program! Please sign on and urge Governor Cuomo to support an equitable and sustainable transformation of New York’s transportation sector by committing to TCI. 

Fire Island Wastewater Solutions 

In July, we were proud to announce the first ever Fire Island Wastewater Solutions Planning & Engineering Study. This critical process was spearheaded by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Flotteron and CCE Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito. Now we can take the first step towards understanding the extent of the Fire Island nitrogen pollution problem and finding solutions that protect our waterways, fisheries, and community. To learn more about this project, check out our press conference here. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

Bringing Hydropower to New York 

Thanks to everyone who joined last month’s “Bringing Hydropower to NY Forum” to learn about how transporting excess Canadian hydropower to NYC can help us combat climate change and transition from polluting fossil fuel power plants to renewable energy. The virtual event, co-hosted by CCE and the NY League of Conservation Voters, and featuring experts from Hydro-Québec and Transmission Developers Inc., is available here. 

Telling the Story of a 20-year CCE Career 

We were honored to create a short video for the middle school and high school students of Junior Achievement of WNY as part of their Inspire Career Speaker Series. Check out this video of Brian Smith, CCE’s Associate Executive Director, speak about his two-decade career at CCE! 

Highlighting Smart Irrigation Month 

July is Smart Irrigation month, and we celebrated by joining members of the Suffolk County Legislature to discuss the importance of water conservation on Long Island. Water conservation is a critical component of protecting our sole source aquifer through the use of conservation measures, especially during peak water usage times in the summer months, and the use of smart irrigation systems. You can check out Adrienne Esposito’s remarks on the importance of water conservation here. 

Highlights and Happenings: June 2021

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Priority bills that were passed by the New York State legislature (we’ll be working to ensure that all these bills are signed by the Governor) at the end of session in June: 

• Protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants: This will require drinking water suppliers to test for additional toxic chemicals, including currently unregulated toxic PFAS chemicals. The bill would also require smaller water suppliers to test for emerging contaminants—helping to protect the drinking water for an additional 2.5 million New Yorkers.

• Banning coal car sealant – After a decade of work, we have successfully lobbied the New York State legislature to pass a ban on the use of coal tar in paving products. Coal tar contains a known human carcinogen and contaminates local waterways. Safe and effective alternatives are readily available.

• Expanding kelp aquaculture - Kelp aquaculture is a growing industry with significant economic, health, and environmental benefits. This legislation would allow for kelp aquaculture in Gardiners and Peconic Bays, create a local kelp farming industry, and help restore water quality and fish habitat in our Long Island east end bays.

• Keeping drinking water lead-free at schools: This bill sets a more protective standard for lead in school drinking water and increases the frequency of testing. There is no safe level of exposure to lead, especially for our children.

Victory! Connecticut Legislative Victories: 

• Modernizing the CT Bottle Bill- This law will expand CT’s container deposit law to cover juices, teas, sports drinks, hard seltzer and hard ciders; double the refundable container deposit from $.05 to $.10 cents, and significantly increase access to convenient recycling options for deposit containers! Gov. Lamont signed the bill into law in late June.

• Protecting our health and water from toxic PFAS chemicals- The CT General Assembly unanimously passed a ban on toxic PFAS chemicals in food service packaging and in firefighting foams. The legislation will also enable the state to establish a buyback program for existing stockpiles of PFAS treated firefighting foams that remain in storage at airports and firefighting training facilities across CT.

• Strengthening CT’s Sewage Right-to-Know Law - This is a much-needed update to CT’s sewage pollution right to know law, which requires wastewater treatment operators to provide timely public notification any time raw or partially treated sewage overflows into our waterways and ensures downstream communities are notified of these sewage overflows. This bill has been signed into law.

Victory! Suffolk County Passes Critical Environmental Bills 

In June, the Suffolk County Legislature passed two of CCE’s priority bills. Suffolk has passed a bee protection law that requires homeowners, pesticide applicators, and exterminators dealing with an unwanted honeybee infestation to first call a beekeeper, who can safely relocate the hive. The legislature also approved increased funding for the Suffolk County septic replacement program, which provides homeowners grants to replace outdated septic and cesspools with advanced, nitrogen-reducing systems that protect our drinking water and waterways. NYS provided $10 million, and Suffolk County will allocate $20 million for the program this year. Thanks to all who testified in support! 

Connecticut’s Plastic Bag Ban is in Effect! 

The statewide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags went into effect on July 1st! Plastic bags contaminate our waterways, threaten aquatic wildlife and create costly infrastructure problems. Connecticut residents (and everyone else) – remember to bring your own reusable bags to the store! 

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Happenings

Urging Congress to Invest in Clean Water Infrastructure 

Congress is currently developing next year’s federal budget while also considering a major infrastructure package. This provides our nation with a critical once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally address our long-standing clean water needs! We have launched our campaign pushing Congress to invest in upgrading sewage and drinking water systems and replacing lead service lines, which will protect public health, protect our drinking water for future generations, and create jobs. If you haven’t yet, take action today! 

Fighting for Environmental Justice in Brookhaven, NY 

A massive 228-acre solid waste transfer facility has been proposed on the last heavily forested area of Yaphank. The proposed facility would be the largest in the state, taking up to 6,000 tons of waste per day and then shipping the waste via rail off the island. Instead of going through an important public process, including public hearings, the Town of Brookhaven is considering allowing the federal government to usurp local control and ignore community voices. Last month, we joined the Brookhaven Town NAACP and concerned community members to call on the town to NOT relinquish local control to a federal agency for a massive solid waste facility. 

Exploring the Potential for Great Lakes Wind 

In June, we provided testimony at a hearing held by NYSERDA in support of a study to determine the feasibility of Great Lakes wind (if determined feasible, CCE strongly believes that any future offshore wind project is responsibly-sited and is evaluated to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem and the lakes’ many uses). In June, we also worked to oppose a resolution proposed in Erie County, NY that opposed Great Lakes wind, prior to the completion of the state’s feasibility study. The anti-wind resolution included misinformation on wind power and opposed Great Lakes wind before important studies have even been completed (the anti-wind resolution did not pass!). Want to learn more about exploring the potential for Great Lakes wind? 

Victory! Landfill Lawsuit May Bring Justice for Brookhaven Community Members 

For decades, those living and working in the Brookhaven community near the landfill have complained of foul odors, poor air quality, harmful health impacts, and decreased quality of life. Out of 105 employees at the Frank P. Long Middle School, which is immediately adjacent to the landfill, 38 have developed cancer and 10 have passed away. In June, the court rejected all the Town’s legal defenses in an action by 25 plaintiffs, including 6 estates. The court’s decision essentially assures there will be a trial in front of a jury where the community can get justice. 

Image by doskey12 from Pixabay

Wind Works for Long Island 

In June, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced public scoping hearings on the Empire Wind project. This is an important step for advancing offshore wind in NY and meeting our goals of 9,000 MW by 2035. The Empire Wind Farm, located off the coast of Long Beach, will generate enough renewable energy to power 500,000 New York homes. We submitted comments in support of the project in June, but in case you missed it you can still attend a public meeting and weigh in in support of the offshore project on July 13th. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

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Upcoming: Bringing Hydropower to New York 

Join us to learn about how transporting excess Canadian hydropower to NYC can help us combat climate change and transition from polluting fossil fuel power plants to renewable energy in our communities. The free virtual event, co-hosted by CCE and the NY League of Conservation Voters and featuring experts from Hydro-Québec and Transmission Developers Inc. will take place July 14th at 12pm. Register today. 

Highlights and Happenings: May 2021

Image by Ben Scherjon from Pixabay 

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Hosting the First Ever Long Island Sound Student Summit 

We were thrilled to joined students from Brentwood, Northport, Smithtown, and Rocky Point High Schools on Long Island for the first Long Island Sound High School Summit. These future Long Island Sound leaders presented research projects on a variety for important topics, including water quality testing, storm drain monitoring, plastic pollution, and marine life in the Long Island Sound. Thank you to our partners AMSEAS, to Congressman Tom Suozzi for his inspirational opening remarks, and to the Long Island Sound Study and the Long Island Sound Futures Fund for their generous support of this project. These exceptional students are our future leaders and we are in great hands! 

Bee-ware! Ban Toxic Neonic Pesticides in NY 

We have been working aggressively over the last few years to address one of the biggest threats to pollinators—neonicotinoid pesticides (a.k.a neonics). These toxic pesticides are linked to the global decline of bee populations and are detected in water supplies in New York and across the nation. A law proposed in NY (Birds and Bees Protection Act) would ban certain unnecessary and harmful uses of neonics, including neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental, lawn, and garden uses. This would eliminate at least 85%-90% of all neonics used in the State! Help us pass this critical legislation and send an email to NYS Senate and Assembly Leadership. Want to know how you can protect pollinators at your own home? Take a look at CCE’s educational factsheet! 

Victory! Southampton Sand Mining Permit Ruled Illegal 

Sand Land, a 50-acre sand and gravel mine in Southampton, has long been controversial and is linked to groundwater contamination in the sole source aquifer of Southampton. We have been working for a decade with the Town of Southampton, Group for the East End, and the Noyac Civic Association to stop the expansion and close down the mine. In a landmark ruling in May, the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division ruled in favor of aquifer protection and against the existing sandmining operation. Sand Land and the NYS DEC lost this critical court case and the courts ruled that DEC broke the law by issuing a permit extension and expansion to the sand mine located in the middle of a Special Ground Water Protection Area in Southampton Town. 

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Happenings

Pushing for the CT Bottle Bill 

We are fighting to pass legislation to improve and modernize Connecticut’s bottle bill (S.B. 1037) and we are making real progress. In May, we held a series of stakeholder and community meetings in New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport and Waterbury to bolster support for this critical bill. We also participated in a number of litter cleanups across Connecticut to help clean up our communities and open spaces and talk to members of the public about the bottle bill. One of these great events was a workshop at the Reservoir Farm in Bridgeport to educate community members about our ongoing efforts to improve recycling in Connecticut. The program included a briefing from CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch and a litter cleanup around the farm. Thanks to everyone who participated and a big thank you to the Green Village Initiative for inviting us. 

Combatting PFAS: Long Island’s Toxic “Forever Chemicals” 

The EPA’s failure to regulate PFAS is causing tremendous health and economic damage on Long Island. In May, we joined expert panelists Phil Brown, University Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Health Sciences from Northeastern University; Tim Whitehouse, the Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; and Kyla Bennett, the Science Policy Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility for a virtual event to discuss the danger PFAS poses to Long Island’s environment and health and what needs to be done to combat these forever chemicals. The event, moderated by Christopher Sellers, the Professor of History at Stony Brook University, had a great turnout. If you missed it, - check it out here. 

Tackling NY’s Solid Waste Crisis 

New York State is suffering from a growing solid waste and recycling crisis. Recycling markets in China and elsewhere closed their doors to the U.S., forcing us to start managing our long-standing solid waste problems. We are fighting for the Extended Producer Responsibility Act in NY, which would minimize waste, improve recycling, prevent plastic pollution, reduce toxins in products, and save municipalities money. In May, we had productive meetings with our Senate and Assembly leaders and have continued to lobby in support of EPR, but we still need your help to make sure this bill passes this year. If you haven’t yet, send an email to your representatives in support of Extended Producer Responsibility in NY. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution 

In May, we joined our partners at Save the Sound and The Nature Conservancy to host a collaborative workshop series to advance local actions for cleaner waters and healthy watersheds in Long Island Sound. Thank you to everyone who joined us to hear from scientists and practitioners about approaches to combat pollution and clean up coastal waters in communities around Long Island Sound. This 3-week workshop series brought folks from across the Sound together to learn about advancements in technology and policy that tackles our biggest water quality challenges—including fecal bacteria, nitrogen, and plastic pollution. 

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Upcoming: High School Presentation Series on Climate Change and Offshore Wind 

Recruiting all High School teachers! We are providing FREE zoom presentations on Combating Climate Change by Investing in Offshore Wind Energy. Reach out to our Project Coordinator Olivia Del Vecchio (odelvecchio@citizenscampaign.org / 516-390-7150) to set up your Climate & Wind presentation. Don’t delay, schedule today! 

Highlights and Happenings: April 2021

Photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels

Help CCE build on our success and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

NY Earth Day Victories 

The NYS Senate and Assembly passed key CCE priority bills as part of an Earth Day legislative package. Thank you to all our legislative champions and our environmental partners who helped push for these important bills. The following passed both houses and will be sent to the Governor for his signature: 

• Ban on plastic toiletry bottles in hotels. NYC hotels alone use 27 million of these plastic bottles annually.

• Ban on spreading fracking fluids on roads and fields. These fluids can contain toxic chemicals that put our water and health at risk.

• 100% Zero Emission Vehicles sold in NY by 2035. The transportation sector is NY’s largest source of climate pollution, making it critical for NY to switch to electric vehicles.

Victory! Breaking Ground at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant on Long Island 

After 15 years of hard work, we were thrilled to celebrate Earth Day with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Todd Kaminsky, The Nature Conservancy in New York, and Operation Splash at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bay Park Conveyance Project. This transformative project will connect the Bay Park and Long Beach sewage treatment plants, which were discharging treated sewage into Reynolds Channel, to an ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek plant. We are closer than ever to restoring the Western Bays. We also held a virtual Save the Western Bays Educational forum last month. Check it out to learn more about this crucial project and ongoing efforts to combat nitrogen pollution in the bays. 

Celebrating Earth Day! 

We celebrated with a virtual advocacy event joined by our environmental colleagues and advocates from across New York. This event highlighted many aspects of the environmental movement with a broad legislative agenda aimed at protecting our water, land and pollinators, as well as addressing solid waste, toxics, and environmental justice issues. CCE and over 100 advocates from across the State called on the New York State Legislature to take action on key environmental issues this Earth Day! 

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Happenings

Supporting New York Offshore Wind 

New York State is advancing five offshore wind projects and working hard to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. After years of frustrating delays at the federal level, we are thrilled the Biden administration committed to moving forward with offshore wind. In March, the administration announced they aim to generate 30 gigawatts of wind by 2030, designated a new wind energy area in the NY Bight (allowing New York to move forward with additional offshore wind farms), and are investing in important offshore wind infrastructure. In April, we participated in public meetings on the new wind energy areas and submitted comments in support to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. This is just the beginning of a long process, so stay tuned for more opportunities to support offshore wind in NY. 

Tackling NY’s Solid Waste Crisis 

New York State is suffering from a growing solid waste and recycling crisis. Recycling markets in China and elsewhere closed their doors to the U.S., forcing us to start managing our long-standing solid waste problems. We are fighting for the Extended Producer Responsibility Act in NY, which will hold manufacturers, not taxpayers, responsible for their waste. This bill would minimize packaging waste, improve recycling, prevent plastic pollution, reduce toxins in products, and save municipalities money. In April, we had a great educational forum and discussion with our Long Island Assembly leaders and have continued to lobby in support of EPR, but we still need your help to make sure this bill passes this year. If you haven’t yet, send an email to your representatives in support of Extended Producer Responsibility in NY. To learn more about the EPR, also check out this great video from our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, during the 2021 Earth Day Lobby Day. 

Rallying for the CT Bottle Bill on Earth Day 

We were excited to join members of the State House of Representatives, coalition partners, and members of the public on Earth Day to highlight their work on the bottle bill and to call on members of the Senate to pass S.B. 1037 (the bill to modernize the CT bottle bill). At the rally, we presented a sign-on letter with more than 60 state & local organizations and 7 mayors/1st selectmen in support of expanding the container deposit to cover juices, teas, sports drinks and liquor ‘nips’, as well as to raise the deposit from $.05 to $.10 on covered containers. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

Combatting Nitrogen Pollution on Long Island 

Degraded water quality, depleted oxygen, and harmful algal blooms plague nearly every waterway on Long Island, and excessive nitrogen from septic systems and cesspools is the primary culprit. The good news is that both Nassau and Suffolk Counties are making great progress helping homeowners upgrade to nitrogen-reducing septic systems. In April, Suffolk County announced $100 million in funding to upgrade septics and connect homes to sewers. In Nassau County, we celebrated the launch of Nassau County’s septic grants program with County Executive Curran. Grants are now available to homeowners in both counties to upgrade their old or failing septic tank to newer technology that combats nitrogen pollution on Long Island! 

Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife 

Last month, we hosted the third installment of our series of educational forums on offshore wind. Thank you to cohost NY League of Conservation Voters and expert panelists Dr. Howard Rosenbaum with Wildlife Conservation Society, Dr. Drew Carey with Inspire Environmental, and Catherine Bowes with National Wildlife Federation, who discussed impacts to marine mammals and fish species, potential “reef effects,” and more. If you missed it, you can check out a recording of the event here. 

We Need the NYS Environmental
Bond Act 

Governor Cuomo and the NY State Legislature included an historic $3 billion Environmental Bond Act as part of the 2021-2022 state budget. This funding, which will be voted on by the public in November 2022, will allow New York communities to improve coastal resiliency, protect open space, upgrade water infrastructure, restore habitat, and combat harmful pollution. Last month, we were proud to stand with Senator Kaminsky, Assemblyman Englebright, the Nassau and Suffolk County Executives, and our environmental and labor partners from across the state in celebrating the importance of the Environmental Bond Act for NY communities. 

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Upcoming - Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution 

We will be hosting a collaborative workshop series with our partners at Save the Sound and The Nature Conservancy to advance local actions for cleaner waters and healthy watersheds in Long Island Sound. Hear from scientists and practitioners about approaches to combat pollution and clean up coastal waters in communities around Long Island Sound. This 3-week workshop series will bring folks from across the Sound together to learn about advancements in technology and policy that tackles our biggest water quality challenges—from fecal bacteria, nitrogen, and plastic pollution. Click here to register! 

• Tuesday, May 11 | 12:00pm-1:30pm | Fecal Bacteria Pollution

• Wednesday May 19 | 12:00pm-1:30pm| Nitrogen Pollution

• Tuesday, May 25 | 12:00pm-1:30pm | Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution

Upcoming - PFAS: Long Island’s Toxic “Forever Chemicals” 

Join us on May 18th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm for a live webinar on the toxic chemical PFAS. 

The webinar will feature expert panelists like Phil Brown, University Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Health Sciences from Northeastern University; Tim Whitehouse, the Executive Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility; Adrienne Esposito, the Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment; and Kyla Bennett, the Science Policy Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. The event will be moderated by Christopher Sellers, the Professor of History at Stony Brook University. Click here to register. 

Highlights and Happenings: March 2021

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Long Island: What’s in Your Water? 

In March, we released an investigative report revealing which Long Island water companies are not meeting NYS’s drinking water standards. Last year, New York adopted the strongest drinking water standards in the nation for 1,4-dioxane, PFAS, and PFOA – carcinogenic contaminants found at unsafe levels across Long Island’s water supply wells. Water suppliers are now required to test for these chemicals and invest in treatment technologies, but unfortunately 21 Long Island water suppliers were granted deferrals, or two-year delays, in meeting these standards. Check out our new report here to find out what’s in your water. 

Connecticut Priority Bills on the Move 

The Environment Committee in Connecticut advanced several of our priority bills in March, including prohibiting toxic PFAS in food service packaging, expanding food waste recycling, modernizing the CT Bottle Bill, and phasing out EPS foam (Styrofoam) lunch trays and single-use plastic straws. These four bills have all been voted favorably out of committee and are on their way to be voted on in the State Senate and House of Representatives. These bills advance critically important goals for reducing waste, increasing recycling, and preventing toxic pollution in Connecticut. Stay tuned for opportunities to help us get these bills over the finish line! 

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Happenings

Supporting New York Offshore Wind 

New York State is advancing five offshore wind projects and gaining momentum in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. After years of frustrating delays at the federal level, we were thrilled that the Biden administration committed to moving forward with offshore wind. In March, the administration announced their goal to generate 30 gigawatts of wind by 2030, finally designate a new wind energy area in the NY Bight (allowing New York to move forward with additional offshore wind farms) and invest in important offshore wind infrastructure. 

Fighting for the Great Lakes 

In March, we celebrated Great Lakes Days and once again led a team of advocates to meet with Congressional offices (virtually) in support of policies and funding to support Great Lakes. This year we are pushing hard for increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, upgrades to aging and failing wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, a study on how to better protect Great Lakes coastal communities from the impacts of climate change, and to ensure safe and affordable drinking water to all. 

Working to Tackle NY’s Solid Waste Crisis 

New York State is suffering from a growing solid waste and recycling crisis. Recycling markets in China and elsewhere closed their doors to the U.S., forcing us to start managing our long-standing solid waste problems. We are fighting for the Extended Producer Responsibility Act in NY, which will hold manufacturers, not taxpayers, responsible for their waste. This bill would minimize waste, improve recycling, prevent plastic pollution, reduce toxins in products, and save municipalities money. In March, we lobbied our Assembly and Senate leaders, but we still need your help to make sure this bill passes this year. If you haven’t yet, send an email to your representatives in support of Extended Producer Responsibility in NY. 

Don’t Flush Your Drugs 

Back in 2014, we partnered with King Kullen grocery stores on Long Island to implement a first-of-its-kind pharmaceutical take-back program, which allows residents to safely and conveniently dispose of unused medications for free at any King Kullen pharmacy. Thanks to this program, over 16,700 pounds (or 8+ tons) of medications, which could have ended up contaminating our sole-source aquifer, bays, or estuaries, were instead disposed of safely. Thanks to King Kullen and everyone who opted to use this program instead of flushing your drugs – you are helping to protect Long Island’s drinking water! Furthermore, the NYS Department of Health finally adopted long-awaited regulations to implement the NYS Drug Take Back Act, which will require a robust, manufacturer-funded drug take back program all across New York State. 

Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms 

As the weather begins to get warmer, and we start spending more time outside and lakeside, it is important to be aware of dangerous harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation, and wildlife. HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2020, over 900 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form! 

New York Moves Forward with Great Lakes Wind Feasibility Study 

In order to meet NY’s ambitious and critical goal to generate zero-emission electricity by 2040, and to protect the health of our lakes from the growing threat of climate change, it is critical that New York consider responsibly-sited offshore wind in the Great Lakes. As a first step, the state has begun a feasibility study to study the potential for offshore wind, which is expected to be completed later this year. Check out a recent editorial by the Buffalo News explaining the importance of why we must explore the potential for Great Lakes wind.   

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Upcoming: Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife 

The third installment of CCE’s series of educational forums on offshore wind will be coming on April 21st at 7pm. Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife will explore how we can advance offshore wind and protect marine life. Expert panelists Dr. Howard Rosenbaum with Wildlife Conservation Society, Dr. Drew Carey with Inspire Environmental, and Catherine Bowes with National Wildlife Federation will discuss impacts to marine mammals and fish species, potential “reef effects,” and more. After the presentations, our panelist will answer questions from members of the public. Learn more about the event and register here. 

Highlights and Happenings: February 2021

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Image by brisch27 from Pixabay

Fighting for our NY Budget Priorities 

We were thrilled to see several of our environmental priorities front and center in the executive budget proposal released by the Governor in January. In February, we lobbied our Assembly and Senate leaders to ensure that our priorities make it into the final budget (due April 1), including (but not limited to): 

• $500 million for clean water infrastructure: upgrades aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and protects water at its source.

• $300 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF): funds programs in every part of the state to protect clean water, healthy communities, open space, and so much more.

• Manufacturer-funded (not taxpayer-funded) recycling of consumer packaging and paper: this policy would help reduce waste, increase recycling, create jobs, and save taxpayers money.

• $ 3 billion Clean Water and Jobs Environmental Bond Act: This historic investment would (if adopted in the budget and subsequently approved by the voters in November) protect communities from the impacts of climate change while protecting clean water and supporting green jobs.
  

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Happenings

Supporting Long Island Offshore Wind 

Long Island is becoming a national leader in offshore wind, with five wind farms now in the siting process. Some exciting developments on these projects is happening, but our work is far from over. On the federal level, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the South Fork Wind Farm and held a series of virtual meetings in February. Thanks to our Wind Works Long Island coalition partners who also participated in the meetings and submitted supportive comments on NY’s first offshore wind farm. To learn more about the South Fork Wind Farm DEIS or project in general, you can read the comments we submitted, along with our coalition members’ comments here. 

Image by SatyaPrem from Pixabay

Working to Modernize Connecticut’s Bottle Bill 

One of our top priorities in Connecticut is improving and modernizing the Bottle Bill. The law, which puts deposits on beverage containers, has been one of the most successful environmental laws in the state, but it needs to be updated. In February, we testified before the Connecticut General Assembly about the cost impacts to municipalities and the equity challenges under the current Bottle Bill program, as well as the challenges related to glass in the curbside recycling stream. According to Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority, wine and liquor account for approximately 60% of glass going into the blue bin! We need to establish a deposit on glass, wine, and liquor bottles here in CT. 

Clean Water Forum for NYS Legislators 

In February, we hosted our 3rd annual Clean Water Forum for elected officials, legislative staff, state agencies, and Clean Water Coalition members to discuss our clean water priorities for this year. Thanks to the over 70 people who attended the virtual Clean Water Forum and to our experts who provided presentations and answered questions on critical water quality issues and solutions for 2021. Priorities included, but were not limited to, investing in upgrades to wastewater infrastructure, installing treatment technology to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, and protecting our water resources at its source. 

The Future is Blowing in the Wind—Long Islands Offshore Wind Projects 

In the second installment of CCE’s series of educational forums on offshore wind, offshore wind developers Orsted and Equinor discussed the offshore wind projects they are building off Long Island. The combined projects will power more than 2.4 million homes and bring us almost halfway to New York’s goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind. Over 100 people joined in after the presentations, and Orsted and Equinor representatives answered questions from members of the public. You can watch a recording of the webinar here! 

Combatting PFAS Contamination 

Last month, we stood with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran to call for federal action banning toxic PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam. Senator Gillibrand has introduced legislation that would also provide resources to fire departments to switch to safer chemicals. We will continue fighting for this critical legislation, which protects fire fighters, our water, and public health. 

New Yorkers for Clean Water & Jobs Lobby Day 

We joined members of the New Yorkers for Clean Water & Jobs for a virtual lobby day in February. The coalition met with NYS Senate and Assembly members to advocate for our budget priorities, including clean water infrastructure funding, maintaining a fully funded Environmental Protection Fund, supporting New York parks, and to preventing further raids of revenue generated from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. 

Transforming New York’s Transportation System 

The New York Climate Action Council’s Transportation Advisory Panel hosted a virtual public meeting to provide information on proposed policy strategies to achieve New York’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. We provided comments urging the Panel to include the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) program in their recommendation. TCI is an opportunity for New York to join with other Northeast/MidAtlantic states to bolster the clean transportation economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by advancing clean vehicles and fuels, safe and affordable public transportation, equitable options of disadvantaged communities, complete streets safe for walking and biking, and much more! 

New Studies Help Advance LI Water Protection and Support CCE’s Work on 1,4 Dioxane 

Dr. Chris Gobler at the Stony Brook University Center for Clean Water Technology released two important studies last month. One study advances new technology to remove nitrogen and 1,4- dioxane entering groundwater through septic systems, and another provides further evidence that 1,4-dioxane in everyday products poses a threat to our drinking water. We joined Dr. Gobler and our clean water partners for a virtual event last month to press the importance of preventing 1,4- dioxane and nitrogen contamination in Long Island’s waters and detailing the role this new research can play in developing good policy at the local and state level. 

Highlights and Happenings: January 2021

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Highlights

Victory! 2020 NY Environmental Bills Signed into Law 

Although 2020 was a difficult year due to the pandemic, we continued to fight for crucial environmental and public health legislation and achieved historic victories to protect our air, land, water, and communities. Thank you so much to everyone who continued to support our important work, and thank you to Governor Cuomo for signing these priority bills into law as we closed out 2020: 

• Banning the harmful chemical “TCE” in manufacturing

• Preventing illegal dumping of dangerous construction waste

• Banning the toxic “forever chemical” PFAS in food packaging

• Banning the dangerous pesticide glyphosate on state property

Victory! Big Steps Forward for Offshore Wind 

In January, New York selected two new offshore wind projects off the Atlantic coast – Beacon Wind and Empire Wind 2 – which will bring renewable energy to 1.3 million homes. These new projects will bring NY to almost halfway to our goal of 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035. Along with the South Fork Wind Farm, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind, these five projects will play a critical role in transitioning our state away from fossil fuels. New York State is also making historic investments in offshore wind manufacturing, operations, and job training to ensure we not only fight climate change but also grow a greener economy. 

Photo Credits: NOAA

Protecting our Ocean Monument! 

One of President Joe Biden's first acts as POTUS was to take steps towards reversing Trump Administration rollbacks to our National Monuments, including the only marine national monument in the Atlantic! The Northeast Canyons & Seamounts is a unique geological landscape of tremendous ecologically value. It was listed as federally protected in 2016 but threatened under the previous administration. Millions of Americans spoke out about the need to safeguard our protected places and permanently protect our ocean monuments. We look forward to working with the Biden Administration to make this a reality. 

Top 2021 NY Budget Priorities 

Last month there was good environmental news in Governor Cuomo’s executive budget proposal. We were thrilled that many of our environmental priorities were proposed to receive full funding, and we will work to ensure these crucial items make it into the final budget. These include funding to upgrade our aging water infrastructure ($500 million) and full funding for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund ($300 million), which supports healthy Great Lakes and estuaries, clean drinking water, green jobs, and so much more! 

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Happenings

Supporting Long Island Offshore Wind 

Long Island is on the verge of becoming a national leader in offshore wind, with five wind farms now in progress. There are some exciting developments on these projects, but our work is far from over. On the local level, the Town of East Hampton has voted unanimously to approve a cable connection and community benefits agreement for the South Fork Wind Farm, which will be the first offshore wind farm in NY and only the second in the nation. On the federal level, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on the South Fork Wind Farm and is holding three virtual meetings this month. We need you to voice your support of the South Fork Wind Farm – find out more about the BOEM meetings and South Fork Wind Farm DEIS here. 

Image by SatyaPrem from Pixabay

Pushing for a Better Bottle Bill in Connecticut 

Glass is one of the major challenges facing municipal recycling programs due to its weight and potential to contaminate the recycling stream when crushed. Last month, our staff and volunteers participated in Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority’s 2021 Glass Characterization study, which concluded that approximately 60% of all glass going into curbside recycling programs in CT is comprised of wine and liquor bottles! This strengthens CCE’s commitments to modernize Connecticut’s bottle bill by putting a refundable deposit on wine and liquor bottles. This will go a long way towards increasing glass recycling in our state, cleaning up our waste stream and saving municipalities (and taxpayers!) money. 

Tackling Toxic Sites on Long Island 

There are 126 homes south of the Navy/Grumman contaminated site in Calverton, Suffolk County that are drinking from private wells and unable to access public water, despite the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in groundwater around the site. Independent testing by Suffolk County revealed that perfluorinated compounds, or PFAS, were detected in 15% of these private drinking water wells. We are working with community members who are fighting to have their homes connected to public water. In January, we joined with residents, elected officials, and the Suffolk County Water Authority in a united call to the Navy to step up and pay for public drinking water for the residents. 

Highlights and Happenings: November 2020

Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Another Milestone to Reduced Nitrogen Pollution to the Western Bays 

For decades, nitrogen pollution from sewage has caused harmful algal blooms, depleted oxygen, killed fisheries, and threatened tidal marshes in the Western Bays on Long Island. In November, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously voted “yes” to advance the much-needed project connecting the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant to an ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek STP. This vote was a crucial milestone in the road to fixing our sewage infrastructure problems on the south shore of Long Island and will lead to greatly reduced nitrogen pollution entering the Western Bays. 

Fighting Toxic PFAS Contamination in Connecticut 

We are working throughout Connecticut to educate communities on the threat of PFAS—known as “forever chemicals”—in drinking water. In November, we joined the CT Department of Public Health and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as well as our environmental partners, for a discussion on PFAS contamination. Experts gave a detailed overview of the problem and the State’s response plan, followed by an informative Q&A session. If you missed the forum, watch it here! 

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Happenings

Supporting a Clean and Equitable Transportation Sector 

To address the climate crisis, we must take action to address climate pollution from the transportation sector, which accounts for more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions (our largest source of carbon emissions). The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional program—consisting of 12 states (including New York and Connecticut) and the District of Columbia—which seeks to improve transportation, create green jobs, invest in disadvantaged communities, and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. In November, we called on Governor Cuomo and Governor Lamont to sign on to TCI—we anticipate the Governor’s to make a decision by the end of the year. 

Image by brisch27 from Pixabay

Developing a Shared Vision for Clean Water in New York 

For the fourth year in a row, we convened a broad, diverse group of stakeholders from around the state for our Clean Water Roundtable (though this year the event was virtual). This group of environmental leaders, water suppliers, wastewater treatment operators, environmental justice organizations, construction contractors, and other clean water stakeholders work together to develop a list of shared priorities for clean water in New York State. We will be creating a 2021 agenda to protect water from its source to the tap, so stay tuned! 

Fighting for Clean Water and Jobs in New York 

In both good and bad economic times, it is critical that we maintain funding for environmental programs that support jobs, clean water, and healthy communities. New York’s environmental programs provide $40 billion to NY’s economy annually, support clean drinking water, protect public health, and help keep New Yorkers safe from the impacts of climate change. In November, we joined with a large coalition of organizations from across the state for a virtual lobby day to call on the legislature to maintain funding for key programs, including the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, Environmental Protection Fund, Parks 2020, and more! 

Supporting Long Island Offshore Wind 

Long Island is on the verge of becoming a national leader in offshore wind, with three projects in the pipeline and a goal of 9,000 MW from offshore wind over the next 15 years. One of the three selected projects, Sunrise Wind, will be located off the coast of Montauk and power over half a million homes. In November, we joined many of our Wind Works Long Island partners, community groups, and the public for a virtual forum hosted by project developers Ørsted and Eversource, to learn more about this project and give feedback on how to mitigate environmental and community impacts as New York moves forward with this key project. 

Stop Sucking and Start Sipping! 

Take the pledge to reduce the amount of plastic you use when getting take-out from restaurants. Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen a surge in the use of disposable plastics. In the U.S. we use millions of plastic straws and utensils every day, many of which ending up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. It’s time to get back on track and reduce the amount of disposable plastics we get when ordering takeout from restaurants. Break the throw-away plastic habit and sign the pledge to reduce plastics by choosing reusable straws, utensils and bags when getting takeout at restaurants! Take the pledge TODAY! 

Tackling Toxic Sites on Long Island 

We have continued our work with the Calverton community to ensure residents have clean public drinking water. Many in the community are still on private wells, including residents just south of a Navy/Grumman toxic site in Suffolk County. Unfortunately, the Navy has been slow to clean up the contamination, including dangerous PFAS chemicals. Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, is a member of the Calverton Restoration Advisory Board, a community oversight board, and we are fighting the public’s drinking water. In November, Adrienne was quoted in the Riverhead Local “The groundwater is held in public trust…If the Navy or anybody pollutes it, it’s their responsibility to clean it up. The Navy needs to put their big boy pants on and clean it up.” Meanwhile in Nassau County, we joined the public and stakeholders for a meeting last month about the clean-up plan for the Nav/Grumman toxic site in Bethpage. Advocates have been battling for a faster, more in-depth clean-up of the Bethpage site for years, and the Navy has finally agreed to an improved remediation plan for the community! 

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Image by kie-ker from Pixabay

Upcoming: New York Leads on Climate Change 

We are going to be hosting three virtual educational forums on offshore wind, with the first forum on December 15th at noon. We’ll be joined by Senator Todd Kaminsky, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, and NYSERDA to discuss Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, meeting the state’s critical and ambitious climate goals, and the important role that offshore wind will play. Following the presentations there will be a panel discussion with the speakers, as well as Julie Tighe from the New York League of Conservation Voters and Joe Martens from the NY Offshore Wind Alliance. Learn more about the event and find a register here. 

Highlights and Happenings: October 2020

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Reducing Nitrogen Pollution to the Western Bays 

For decades, nitrogen pollution from sewage has caused harmful algal blooms, depleted oxygen, killed fisheries, and threatened tidal marshes in the Western Bays on Long Island. Last month, we joined U.S. Chuck Senator Schumer, NY Senator Todd Kaminsky, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, SUEZ, and our partners in the fight to restore the Western Bays to celebrate. Major infrastructure upgrades have been made at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant that will drastically reduce nitrogen pollution entering the local bays and help restore water quality in these treasured waters! 

Implementing New York’s Plastic Bag Ban! 

While New York’s ban on carryout plastic bags was scheduled to go into effect on March 1, an industry lawsuit, coupled with the pandemic, caused the implementation date to be set back. After defeating the industry challenge in court, New York State officially began to enforce the ban on plastic bags on October 19! Make sure to always bring your own bag to the store and keep an eye out to make sure stores are not distributing single-use plastic bags. You can report non-compliance through an online form or by calling DEC at 518-402-8706. 

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Happenings

Fighting for NY’s First Offshore Wind Farm 

NY has committed to 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035 and our first offshore wind project will be the South Fork Wind Farm off Montauk on Long Island. October brought another big milestone for the project, as Governor Cuomo signed a joint proposal to move the project forward with state agencies. But the fight isn’t over. We need New York to approve a cable connection carrying energy from the offshore turbines to an electrical substation in Town of East Hampton. Dozens of studies are already completed to ensure the project is responsibly developed, mitigates potential impacts on wildlife, and protects the coastline. Tell the NYS Public Service Commission to approve the South Fork Wind Farm cable connection. 

Another Summer of Discontent for Long Island’s Waters 

Last month, we joined Dr. Chris Gobler of Stony Brook University and our Long Island clean water partners to release an annual water quality map that includes harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills. Unfortunately, the news was not good. Once again, nitrogen pollution has caused water quality impairments in nearly every major bay and estuary across the island. You can check out the map of water quality impairments and a video of the press conference for more info. 

Fighting for the Great Lakes “in Washington” 

While we usually lead a group of advocates down to Washington D.C. every fall to meet with Congressional offices, this year we instead held a virtual Great Lakes day via zoom with D.C. offices. We recruited strong partners to join our virtual meetings—fishing groups, wastewater treatment operators, water suppliers, and environmental justice advocates—to speak in one voice on all the issues that must be addressed to protect our lakes. Funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, fixing our aging sewer systems, ensuring affordable drinking water, and fighting invasive species were all identified as Great Lakes priorities for the year ahead. 

Stop Sucking and Start Sipping! 

Take the pledge to reduce the amount of plastic you use when getting take-out from restaurants. Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen a surge in the use of disposable plastics. In the U.S. we use millions of plastic straws and utensils every day, many of which ending up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. It’s time to get back on track and reduce the amount of disposable plastics we get when ordering takeout from restaurants. Break the throw-away plastic habit and sign the pledge to reduce plastics by choosing reusable straws, utensils and bags when getting takeout at restaurants! Take the pledge TODAY! 

Improving Recycling in Connecticut 

We’re happy to announce that CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch was re-elected to the CT Recyclers Coalition (CRC) board of directors at their annual meeting in October. The CRC's membership includes municipal recycling authorities, non-profit organizations and private businesses working to advance Connecticut's recycling and materials management programs at both the local and state levels. We are looking forward to working with our partners at the CRC to educate the public on important recycling issues including municipal solid waste reduction, modernizing Connecticut’s bottle bill, and increasing recycling education for CT residents and businesses. 

Investigating Incinerator Ash 

Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, is an official member of the Ad hoc Committee on the Ash Fill formed by Brookhaven Town (NY). The committee is evaluating a proposal to locate a regional ash monofil at the current Brookhaven landfill. As part of their due diligence, we joined our fellow committee members for a visit to Covanta’s advanced metal recycling facility in Pennsylvania. The facility is able to extract gold, silver, aluminum, copper, iron and even coins and jewelry from incinerator ash. The facility is piloting options to re-use ash in roads and construction projects. The Committee also went to visit the Babylon Ash Monofill. This ashfill is located in an industrial area, bordered by cemeteries and accepts incinerator ash from the Babylon Covanta facility. The committee is tasked to provide a report on the ash fill proposal to Brookhaven Town by the end of January. 

Discussing Climate Change in NY Congressional Districts 1 & 2 

Long Island is on the frontlines of climate change. Our next Congressional representatives from NY-01 and NY-02 will have a crucial role to play in ensuring protections for our coastal communities, local economy, and environment. In October, we joined the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Students for Climate Action to host a free virtual Town Hall on Climate Change for NY Congressional Districts 1 & 2. We had a great turnout and a lively panel discussion with climate experts on the issues facing Long Island. You can check out the entire event here. 

Highlights and Happenings: August 2020

Image by jotoya from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

New York Plastic Bag Ban Upheld by State Supreme Court!

After over a decade of fighting to prevent plastic pollution throughout New York, we successfully worked to pass a statewide ban on plastic bags in 2019. The ban was due to go into effect in March of 2020, but an unfortunate lawsuit by plastic bag manufacturers and bodega owners delayed the implementation. Now, we are closer than ever to finally be plastic bag-free. NY won the court challenge in August, and the state is expected to announce the new implementation date soon. We can’t wait to celebrate once the date is announced, but don’t wait until then to act—start (or continue!) using your reusable bags when you shop!

Tackling Climate Change, COVID, and our Economic Crisis in Connecticut

We’re thrilled to be working with RENEW CT, a large coalition of non-profits, businesses and labor groups aiming to a progressive policy framework for CT. The goal is to simultaneously achieve progress on the three major challenges of our time: climate change, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. We’re fighting to craft and implement policies that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while investing in environmental justice communities and creating jobs in our state. This is a big challenge, and we will need to implement policies on clean energy, transportation, clean air and water, food security, healthcare and affordable housing in order to protect our CT communities. Make sure to stay tuned for information on RENEW CT as developments occur.

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Happenings

Getting Clean Energy Back on Track

While New York is pushing forward with three offshore wind projects and a new solicitation for up to 2,500 MW of additional offshore wind power, the federal government has stalled. We need the U.S. Department of Interior to designate additional “Wind Energy Areas” (areas appropriate for offshore wind farm siting) off the coast of New York. These areas should have been designated in 2019, and we cannot afford further delays as we push to meet our state mandate of 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. In July, we joined Congresswoman Rice, NYS Senator Kaminsky, environmental organizations, and labor groups in Long Beach to call on our federal government to stop delaying and announce new “Wind Energy Areas” in 2020.

Exploring the Potential for Offshore Wind in the Great Lakes

NY’s nation-leading climate law mandates 70% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon-free electricity by 2040. Offshore wind power in the Atlantic, and potentially in the Great Lakes, will play a critical role in meeting these important and ambitious clean energy mandates. Therefore, the state recently proposed to study the feasibility of offshore wind in the Great Lakes (there are currently no wind farms in the Great Lakes). As New York considers the potential for offshore wind in the Great Lakes, it is essential that the public has access to fact-based information about offshore wind and its potential benefits and impacts on the lakes. Therefore, we have put together an educational page on our website with a series of fact sheets on Great Lakes offshore wind—we invite you to take a look and learn more!

Protecting Connecticut’s Water Resources

Last year, Connecticut approved the State Water Plan (SWP), which will ensure that water is a public trust and that CT’s current and future water supply needs are met equitably for years to come. We are now working to see this landmark water protection plan implemented and engage the public in the process. In July, CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch became chair of the newly-formed Outreach & Education subcommittee of the SWP Implementation Working Group. This new subcommittee will develop a public outreach strategy for individuals, community groups and businesses about the SWP and what it means for CT communities and regulated industries. We’ll be working with our subcommittee partners to do outreach on public water use, water conservation, drinking water quality, and more.

Image from DEC https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

Harmful Algal Blooms are Still a Threat Across New York!

It’s late in the summer, but harmful algal blooms (HABs) are STILL posing an immense threat to our communities’ drinking water, public health, outdoor recreation and wildlife! HABs are erupting across NY more frequently and more aggressively—in 2019, over 1,000 HABs were present in NY waterbodies. If you see a HAB in a lake or waterbody (looks like spilled green paint or pea soup), be sure to avoid it and report it using the DEC Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form!

Highlights and Happenings: July 2020

Image by Heiko Stein from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victories! Environment Wins Big in NY Special Legislative Session 

Several of our priority bills were passed by the NY Senate and Assembly this July during a special session of the legislature. Governor Cuomo has already signed the bill closing the hazardous waste loophole into law, and we are working to ensure he signs all these crucial environmental bills: 

• Streams protection: Expands state protections to an additional 41,000 miles of important streams throughout the state. 

• Closing the hazardous waste loophole: Hazardous fracking waste will no longer be able to be sent to traditional landfills or wastewater treatment plants, which are ill-equipped to handle hazardous waste—threatening our health and water. 

• Banning TCE in products: Trichloroethylene ("TCE") is a solvent and used in paint strippers. It is also unnecessary, causes cancer, and regularly pollutes drinking water sources. 

• Stopping illegal dumping: Dangerous construction and demolition debris is all too often dumped in parks and open spaces, threatening our environment and public health. This legislation holds polluters accountable with significant increased penalties for illegal dumping. 

• Banning PFAS in food packaging: PFAS, a dangerous suite of chemicals that are harmful to public health, are widely used in food packaging to provide water and grease resistance. This bill bans these harmful—and unnecessary—chemicals in food packaging. 

• Banning glyphosate on state property: Glyphosate is a dangerous herbicide that is a probable carcinogen, is ubiquitous in our waterways, and is harmful to pollinators. This bill makes our state lands glyphosate-free! 

• Pilot project for Adirondack road salt reduction: The over-application of road salt is damaging ecosystems, harming aquatic life, and destroying drinking water sources. This project will develop best practices to protect the Adirondack Park, and ultimately expand statewide. 
  

NYS Sets Nation’s Strongest Drinking Water Standards for Emerging Contaminants 

After three years of hard work advocating for the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to adopt drinking water standards for the toxic chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, the DOH officially adopted strong, enforceable drinking water standards for these contaminants in July! The Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)—10 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 1 ppb for 1,4-dioxane—are the toughest MCLs adopted in the US and will ensure that our tap water is treated for these toxic chemicals. In fact, NY is the first state to set a 1,4-dioxane standard, and we look forward to seeing other states do the same!   

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Happenings

Working to Improve CT’s Bottle Bill 

As part of our continuing campaign on Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (aka “the Bottle Bill), we participated in the CT Recycler’s Coalition presentation about challenges and solutions for modernizing Connecticut’s Bottle Bill. Some important steps we could take include: increasing the deposit value from 5 to 10 cents, and expanding the deposit to juices, teas, sports drinks and other non-carbonated beverage containers. After creating a comprehensive stewardship program for beverage container recycling, Oregon and B.C. Canada have achieved redemption rates between 80-90% on covered containers (as opposed to CT, which lingers just over 50%). Stay tuned for more information on how you can help push CT to successfully modernize its Bottle Bill. 

Image by doskey12 from Pixabay

Big News for Offshore Wind 

In July, Governor Cuomo announced the largest combined clean energy solicitation ever introduced in the US. NY's offshore wind projects seek up to 2,500 MW (the largest in the nation's history), and could bring NYS halfway to our offshore wind goal of 9,000 MW by 2035 (when combined with previously approved projects). While New York has once again proven to be a leader in combating climate change, our neighbors in Massachusetts are also making an important stride towards offshore wind. The nation’s first large-scale offshore wind farm (the US has one small project in operation off Rhode Island), Vineyard Wind 1, could be approved by the end of this year. Last month, we submitted public comments, worked with coalition partners, and garnered emails from NY and CT residents in support of the project. We will keep pushing federal leaders to give the final approval for Vineyard Wind 1 by the end of 2020 and make large-scale offshore wind a reality for the US. 

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

U.S. House Takes Big Step Forward for Clean Water 

As we continue our campaign to urge the U.S. to support a green economic recovery from the devastating impacts of the pandemic, the U.S. House stepped up with a strong budget for FY 2021 that supports clean water and jobs. The House-passed a budget that includes major funding increases for the Great Lakes restoration, upgrades for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and lead drinking water line replacement. We are now urging the U.S. Senate to follow suit! 

Protecting Suffolk County NY’s Land Preservation Program 

Suffolk County’s land preservation program, which began in the late ‘80s, has been the most important water quality protection initiative in the county’s history (protecting important open spaces is critical to protecting water quality). Due to current budget shortfalls from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Suffolk County Executive proposed putting forth a ballot initiative that would have allowed the county to raid funds from the land preservation program. This pandemic highlighted the importance of our parks and open spaces, and we fought hard in opposition to the potential decimation of one of the county’s pivotal environmental programs. Last month, the Suffolk County Legislature and County Executive decided to withdraw the legislation and keep this landmark program intact! 

Highlights and Happenings: June 2020

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

We’re Back Out in Force!

Back in March, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated that we suspend our direct grassroots community outreach in order to protect the health of our employees and the public (our phone outreach staff and other staff continued to work remotely throughout). As much of NY and CT reopens, we are excited to announce that we are all back in action! While we have implemented new practices to help keep everyone safe as we organize, we are back out in force fighting for a green economic recovery, renewable energy, clean water, and more. Thank you so much to all who helped support us during the height of the pandemic – we could not have gotten through it without you!

Victory! Suffolk County, NY Bans Littering of PPE

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for public health protection, but unfortunately we are seeing more plastic masks, gloves, and wipes littering our parking lots and parks. In June, we worked to pass legislation in Suffolk County to ban the littering of PPE (offenders face increased fines). This will not only help to prevent plastic pollution, it will also protect the health of Long Islanders who are cleaning up or coming in contact with discarded PPE. Thanks to the Suffolk County Legislature for leading the way and passing this bill unanimously.

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Happenings

Creating a Buzz for our Pollinators

For National Pollinator Week, we assembled an expert panel and hosted a free virtual forum to provide information about the importance of pollinators, the threats they are facing, and how the public can protect them. Pollinators are un-BEE-lievably important to our ecosystem and food production, yet their populations are rapidly declining. Our expert panelists discussed how widespread use of toxic pesticides, habitat destruction, and other stressors are contributing to the decline as well as ways you can be a bee friendly consumer and manage garden pests responsibly. Missed the forum, but still want to get the BUZZ on bees?  Watch the entire recorded forum or watch an abbreviated highlight (approximately six minutes) version.

Calling on Our Elected Leaders to Protect the Health of our Great Lakes

In response to a recent report on the health of the Great Lakes—which diluted and minimized the ongoing suffering and degradation of our lower Great Lakes system in New York State—we joined with our friends at Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to call on our elected officials to take action in support of our lakes.

Defending Our Ocean National Monument  

On June 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order to allow commercial fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. This monument, off the coast of New England, was established under the Antiquities Act in 2016 and has since become a virtual treasure trove of marine life, including threatened and endangered marine mammals, sea turtles, rare deep sea corals, and many others. We fought to get this area declared a national monument and we will continue to fight to keep it protected from commercial fishing and other threats. For more information, check out CCE CT Program Director Lou Rosado Burch’s recent Op-Ed on the importance of this underwater marvel.

Improving CT’s Bottle Bill

Connecticut’s Container Deposit Law (aka “the Bottle Bill) is a proven, effective way to incentive recycling and keep our communities clean and litter free. However, CT’s bottle bill needs to be improved and modernized. Last month, we joined the CT Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to discuss the challenges and pathways forward on modernizing Connecticut’s Bottle Bill. CEQ is Connecticut’s independent environmental watchdog –the council meets monthly to discuss current and ongoing environmental priorities, including solid waste & recycling issues, water protection, pesticide use and enforcement and many others.

Wind Works Long Island

Image by doskey12 from Pixabay

We have joined our environmental, labor, community, and faith-based partners to launch Wind Works Long Island. The coalition is a growing force behind educating the public on the science-based benefits of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind.  In June, we continued our work to support responsibly-sited offshore wind farms, including the South Fork Wind Farm, which will bring renewable energy to 70,000 LI homes. If you want to find out more about the coalition and what you can do to support offshore wind, check out the new website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Highlights and Happenings: May 2020

Photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Pushing for a Green Economic Recovery for America 

As states have begun to “re-open,” we are working to ensure we build back stronger, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable than ever. In May, we kicked off our campaign to push Congress to pass a green economic stimulus, including investments in clean water infrastructure and renewable energy (and NOT fossil fuels). This would create good jobs and revitalize local economies—while protecting public health and our environment. Join us in urging Congress to act! 

We are also fighting on the state level in Connecticut for a green recovery, including rejecting fossil fuel infrastructure, investing in renewable energy resources (including offshore wind), and fully funding the CT Energy Efficiency Fund to save ratepayers money and create green jobs. Take action on this important campaign today! 

Fighting Plastic Pollution: Resuming Enforcement of Existing Laws 

Both NY and CT suspended enforcement of their bottle bill deposit programs and plastic bag laws in order to help struggling retailers during the pandemic. It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence that returning bottles or using reusable bags presents a risk to public health. While it is understandable to help busy retailers during this difficult time, as our states reopen, it is time to resume enforcement of important environmental laws to protect public health and reduce plastic pollution. In May we were busy pushing both states to resume enforcement—here is where both states currently stand: 

• Both NY and CT set a final deadline of June 3rd to resume enforcement of their bottle deposit programs (please let us know if you see stores out of compliance!). 

• Connecticut has agreed to resume its statewide plastic bag fee on June 30. 

• New York has set a date of June 15 to implement its statewide plastic bag ban. After multiple delays, we need to hold them accountable to that deadline—send state leaders an email today! 

New York Suspends Water Shutoffs! 

Water is essential to life; we cannot live without it. It is critical that every New Yorker has access to clean water, especially during the pandemic. We joined with many environmental, faith-based, labor, senior, and civil rights groups in calling for New York to suspend water shutoffs. We were thrilled when the NY legislature returned to session in May and passed legislation to prohibit utility shut-offs during the COVID-19 state of emergency, including water service shutoffs. 

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Happenings

Combating PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Pollution 

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for public health protection, but unfortunately we are seeing more plastic masks, gloves, and wipes in our parking lots and parks—contributing to plastic pollution in our communities and waterways. We are working with Nassau and Suffolk Counties in NY to pass legislation to help prevent PPE litter throughout Long Island—to both protect our environment and the health of those tasked with cleaning up the litter. You can find out more about our fight to end PPE litter here. 

Wind Works 4 Long Island 

We have joined our environmental, labor, community, and faith-based partners to launch Wind Works 4 Long Island. The coalition is a growing force behind educating the public on the science based benefits of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. In May, we continued our work to support responsibly-sited offshore wind farms, including the South Fork Wind Farm, which will bring renewable energy to 70,000 Long Island homes. If you want to find out more about the coalition and what you can do to support offshore wind, check out the new website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Highlights and Happenings: March 2020

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Continuing the Fight to Protect our Environment During this Pandemic

As we practice social distancing, largely from our homes, we are constantly reminded of how important our work continues to be.  Drinking water from our kitchen tap, using personal care products (without toxic chemicals), and visiting local parks to get fresh air and exercise—all demonstrate that our work to protect public health and the environment is as important as ever.  Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that we suspend our direct grassroots outreach in order to protect the health of our employees and the public. This has created a financial hardship on us.  CCE is a strong organization with excellent staff and we are determined to weather this storm, but we truly need your help during these difficult times.  If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a financial contribution today to support our work to protect clean water, fight climate change, conserve open space, and so much more.  

Victory!  A Green Budget for New York

CCE priorities in the final New York State budget include:

• $3 Billion Environmental Bond Act: This funding will help our communities become more resilient to the challenging impacts of climate change, including increased flooding and sea level rise, while also protecting and restoring our water resources. The Bond Act will need to be approved by the voters in November.

• Ban on Styrofoam food packaging and packaging peanuts: Styrofoam litters our communities and threatens public health. There is no need to continue using this antiquated product when safe and environmentally friendly alternatives are readily available.

• Permanent ban on fracking: While Governor Cuomo wisely instituted a regulatory ban on fracking in 2015, this permanent ban set in law will help ensure the dangerous process of fracking for gas will not be taken up by future administrations.

• $500 million for clean water infrastructure: Increased investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure will not only protect our drinking water and reduce dangerous sewage overflows; it will help put thousands of New Yorkers to work.

• Fully funding the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $300 million: Since 1993, the EPF has been New York’s most important source of environmental funding, benefiting every community in the state. EPF projects protect drinking water, build community parks, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, and so much more.

Victory! Suffolk Legislature Votes Yes on Clean Water Plan

Nitrogen pollution from sewage and septics poses a significant threat to Long Island’s water resources. To combat this problem, Suffolk County has worked diligently to create a comprehensive Subwatersheds Wastewater Management Plan, which analyzes the sources of nitrogen pollution in 191 subwatersheds and prescribes a path for ecosystem restoration in each water body. The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously voted “yes” in March to adopt the Final Generic Environment Impact Statement (FGEIS) for the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan. This vitally important vote moves the process forward and allows critical components of the plan to be considered by the Legislature in the future. 

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Happenings

Pushing for our Priority Bills in CT 

The Connecticut legislative session is currently suspended due to COVID-19, but the fight isn’t over. We spent the first half of March pushing for our priority bills and we will continue working to ensure our CT environment is protected during this shutdown. We testified at public hearings and urged key committee member to support critical bills for 2020, including phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighting foams and food service packaging, requiring testing for PFAS in public drinking water supplies, prohibiting Styrofoam food packaging, and establishing a Climate Change and Green Jobs plan for CT. Stay tuned for more information on how you can add your voice to support these important bills. 

Tackling Emerging Contaminants on Long Island 

The NYS Department of Health is in the final phase of deciding drinking water standards for 3 emerging contaminants: 1,4-dioxane, PFOS and PFOA. The quicker these standards are finalized, the sooner it will be mandated that these chemicals are filtered out of our drinking water. Bethpage and Calverton residents live in communities with water wells impacted by toxic plumes, which include the aforementioned contaminants, and will be directly impacted by these new standards. In March, we joined community groups from Calverton and Bethpage in calling on NY to move forward without further delay in setting drinking water standards for these emerging contaminants. These residents—and everyone—deserve clean drinking water! 

Fighting for the Great Lakes in D.C. 

In early March, we joined with a team of advocates from New York and traveled down to Washington D.C. for Great Lakes Days. We met with the New York congressional offices on our Great Lakes priorities: Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, increasing funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, stopping the invasion of Asian carp, fighting clean water rollbacks from the administration, and more. 

Suffolk County: Change Out Your Septic System 

While our series of community forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools is temporarily suspended to observe social distancing recommendations, our nitrogen pollution problem is not going away. These forums are designed to help Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems and we will be picking up the series and rescheduling meetings as soon as we can. In the meantime, you can get information on the grant program or fill out an application here. 

Highlights and Happenings: February 2020

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Plastic Bags are Banned in New York!

After over a decade of working to prevent plastic pollution throughout New York, we’re thrilled that NY is now plastic bag free. In 2019, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders included legislation banning plastic bags in the state budget. The bill went into effect on Sunday, March 1 st . We threw a party to kick off the weekend, joining our environmental allies and NYS DEC to celebrate the death of the plastic bag. We’re overjoyed to see the public make the switch and remember to #BYOBagNY!

Fighting for our 2020 Priority Bills in CT 

The CT Legislature is considering several of our key priorities this session. We are supporting bills (and will need your support!) that would: 

• Restrict the use of firefighting foams containing toxic PFAS chemicals; 

• Ban toxic PFAS in food packaging; 

• Expand Connecticut’s Bottle Bill (to include a deposit on additional beverage containers); 

• Ban Styrofoam food packaging; 

• Prohibit the use of toxic chlorpyrifos pesticides; and 

• Create a Climate Change and Green Jobs plan to help speed Connecticut’s transition to 100% carbon-free energy. 

Great Lakes Restoration Bill Passes U.S. House! 

In February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed one of CCE’s highest priority bills—federal legislation to reauthorize the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program and increase funding to $475 million annually by 2026! The GLRI has been a resounding success in recent years, helping to clean up the Buffalo River and other toxic hot spots, fight invasive species, restore critical habitat, and provide immense economic benefits to Great Lakes communities in New York. Now we need the U.S. Senate to pass this important legislation! 

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Happenings

Protecting Pollinators from Toxic Pesticides

The use of neonicotinoid (a.k.a. “neonics) pesticides decimates bee populations, threatens food production, and pollutes our drinking water. In February, we joined our allies in Albany for a lobby day to support the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which would put a 5 year moratorium on neonics in New York State. We’re urging NYS to take immediate action and pass legislation this session!

Fighting for a Strong NY Environmental Protection Fund

For the past 27 years the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has invested over $4 billion in projects that protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, protect our oceans and Great Lakes, increase recycling, and much more. We joined our coalition partners in Albany to urge our elected leaders to ensure at least $300 million for the EPF in the final state budget.

Holding Polluters Responsible for the Navy Grumman Plume

The Grumman/Navy Bethpage Plume is the largest on Long Island: 4.3 miles long, 2.1 miles wide, and as much as 900 feet deep. The plume travels under parks, schools, homes, and businesses; and is contaminating drinking water supply wells for thousands of residents. In February, Newsday released comprehensive coverage and previously undisclosed documents verifying the U.S. Navy & Grumman knew toxic chemicals from their operations were contaminating groundwater and putting public health in jeopardy. Their response was to perpetrate a decades-long cover up. We are now calling on our state and federal leaders to take immediate action and bring forth criminal charges against the Navy and Northup Grumman.

 Long Island Lobby Day

We traveled to Albany for our annual Lobby Day trip with the Long Island Lobby Coalition, which represents over 100 groups working to advance infrastructure projects, small business assistance, human services issues, environmental protection, and public transportation. We spoke with Assembly Members, Senators, and Governor Cuomo’s office about critical environmental issues impacting Long Islanders, including advancing solar and offshore wind, protecting drinking water from emerging contaminants, investing in sewage infrastructure, and improving public transportation.

Pushing for our 2020 NY Clean Water Priorities

To ensure that current and future generations can rely on abundant, clean, and affordable water resources in New York, CCE has brought together a diverse network of organizations to collaborate on water protection in New York State. In February, the coalition hosted a Clean Water Breakfast in Albany. CCE and coalition partners educated state elected leaders on the priority water issues that need to be addressed in NY, including funding water infrastructure improvements, removing emerging contaminants in drinking water, expanding drinking water testing, and protecting streams and wetlands that feed our drinking water supplies. On the day of the breakfast, we were thrilled that the NYS Assembly passed legislation to further protect streams in NY (Pictured: CCE and coalition partners celebrating with Assemblyman Sean Ryan, lead sponsor of the Streams legislation)!

CCE Executive Director Adrienne Esposito Makes the LI Power List

Each year, the Long Island Press publishes a list of the top 100 leaders in business, education, philanthropy, unions, and politics on Long Island. Adrienne made the list and attended a great celebration this February, where she was honored as one of this year’s “Change Makers.”

Joining Senator LaValle for his Environmental Roundtable

We attended Senator LaValle’s annual Environmental Roundtable, which brings together advocates and Long Island policymakers to discuss important environmental and public health priorities for NYS. Senator LaValle has been a champion of environmental issues and we look forward to working with him in his last year as a New York Senator.

Upcoming: Change Out Your Septic System in Suffolk County, NY

We are continuing our series of forums highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools into the spring. These forums are designed to help Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems. You can get information on the grant program or fill out an application here.

Highlights and Happenings: November 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Victory! Tompkins County, NY Passes Fee on Carryout Paper Bags

The Tompkins County Legislature unanimously passed a local law placing a 5-cent fee on carryout paper bags. CCE staff attended the public hearing and provided testimony to the legislature on the environmental and economic impacts of paper bags. This local law, in conjunction with the statewide ban on plastic bags, is necessary to fully address disposable bag pollution and encourage the public to change their behavior and bring their own bag. Tompkins now joins Albany County and NYC, who passed similar laws earlier this year.  We still need more cities and counties to step up and do their part to address single-use bags!

Victory! Long Island Towns Ban Balloon Releases

The Town of Hempstead, the largest town in America, and the Town of North Hempstead, have banned the intentional release of balloons. Suffolk County and Long Beach had previously passed similar laws to prevent plastic pollution, reduce beach litter, and protect wildlife. Now that most of Long Island now has balloon release bans, we have one town left to go. Next up in our fight to prevent balloon pollution – the Town of Oyster Bay (not to mention all of NYS!).

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Happenings

Eighth Annual “Water We Going to Do?” Conference

The Long Island Clean Water Partnership held our annual “Water We Going to Do?” Conference in November. We heard great updates from our federal, state, and local officials, as well as scientific experts, on the threat nitrogen pollution and other threats pose for Long Island’s waters. It was a great opportunity to learn about our water quality improvement campaign’s progress, discuss ongoing clean water projects, and set the stage for what needs to happen in the next year. Thanks to everyone who turned out and made it our best conference yet!

Gearing up for our NYS Water Priorities in 2020

In November, we attended several hearings of the NYS Assembly Minority Water Quality Task Force across New York State to discuss water protection priorities for next year’s legislative session, including funding for clean water infrastructure, a stronger Environmental Protection Fund, protecting NY’s streams and wetlands, establishing drinking water standards for emerging contaminants, banning toxic pesticides, and combating PFAS contamination. Stay tuned for more info on our upcoming 2020 campaigns!

Talking CT’s Environment

Want to hear more about some of our Connecticut campaigns? CCE’s Lou Rosado Burch appeared on WLIS/WMRD radio program “CT Outdoors with Suzanne Thompson” to speak about the state-wide disposable bag law as well as our campaign to keep toxic PFAS out of Connecticut’s water. You can check out the interview here.

 Examining NYS Cancer Clusters

The New York State Health Department identified several communities across NYS, including Centereach, Farmingville, and Selden in Suffolk County, which have higher rates of leukemia, bladder, lung, and thyroid cancers then average. After a year-long investigation into the cause of these cancer rates, the health department failed to thoroughly investigate possible environmental exposures in air and water quality issues. In November, we attended a public meeting where the health department released their findings and we were outraged to hear about the state’s lack of serious investigation into this public health crisis in our communities. 

Upcoming Event: Suffolk County, NY: Change Out Your Septic System

We’re continuing our series of forums in 2019 and 2020 highlighting the importance of reducing nitrogen pollution from outdated septics and cesspools and helping Suffolk County residents get grants to change out their old systems for new, on-site, nitrogen-reducing treatment systems. Our next forum is on December 16 at 7pm at the Setauket Neighborhood House.

Highlights and Happenings: July 2019

Help CCE build on our success, and support our campaigns to protect public health and the environment in NY and CT. Make a contribution today.

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Highlights

Governor Cuomo Signs Nation’s Strongest Climate Bill into Law

We were excited to witness history as Governor Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act into law. This law requires net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, 70% renewable energy by 2030, funding for low income and frontline communities, carbon-free electricity by 2040, and more. In addition, Governor Cuomo announced two new offshore wind projects, off of NYC and Long Island, which will generate 1,700MW—enough to power over one million homes with clean, local energy! Thank you again to Senator Kaminsky and Assemblyman Englebright for championing this legislation through the legislature.

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Happenings

Calling on Presidential Candidates to Support Great Lakes Restoration
We joined with our partners at the Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition to release a Great Lakes platform and urge presidential candidates to explain how they will support efforts to restore the Great Lakes and protect New York’s drinking water. The platform highlights the need for presidential candidates to support a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, triple water infrastructure funding, uphold clean water protections, reduce harmful algal blooms, and prevent Asian carp from entering the lakes. CCE is not endorsing, nor opposing, any candidate.


Celebrating Water Reuse on Long Island
SUEZ and Nassau County have invested in Long Island’s largest water reuse project at their Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plant in Wantagh, NY. The project will save almost one million gallons of water per day and the water treated from the sewage treatment plant will be reused for plant operations. In July, CCE joined County Executive Curran, the SUEZ team, and other water protection advocates for a press conference and a tour of the water reuse operation at the facility.

Keeping Up the Fight Against 1,4-Dioxane
The New York State Legislature passed a bill banning 1,4-dioxane in household products, and we are now pushing for the Governor to sign the bill into law. In July, the NYS Department of Health proposed the strongest drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane in the nation (1 part per billion)! While we push at the state level, we are continuing to work with municipalities to combat this emerging contaminant local level. In July, we joined several Long Island water suppliers and Nassau County Legislators for a press conference and a public hearing, including a panel discussion with CCE’s Adrienne Esposito, to discuss what Nassau County can do to protect our drinking water and public health from 1,4-dioxane at the local level.

Tackling PFAS Contamination in Connecticut
On June 12, 50,000 gallons of water and PFAS foam stored at Bradley Airport leaked into the Farmington River. In July, CCE joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, along with environmental advocates and local leaders, to call on congress to reclassify PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019. This effort failed, but CCE and the Senator continue to push for federal regulation of PFAS chemicals by the EPA, and funding to clean up existing drinking water contamination from PFAS chemicals. In addition, we joined the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for a public forum to discuss the PFAS contamination in the Farmington River. For those in the area, contamination levels in the river have fallen, but DEEP still recommends avoiding eating fish caught in the river.

Next Up in the Fight Against Plastic Pollution: Balloons
The balloons we release into the air do not just fly away; they end up in our lakes and oceans, killing wildlife and breaking down into harmful microplastics. Earlier this year, the Town of East Hampton, NY banned the intentional release of balloons, and now Suffolk County is considering following suit. In July, CCE and our partners in the fight against plastic pollution testified in favor of a county law banning the intentional release of balloons and requiring signage to educate the public on this important issue. Thanks to all who came out to the public hearing and supported the bill. We’ll keep working until we get this local law passed!

Welcoming New Research to Combat Nitrogen Pollution
We were proud to stand with Dr. Chris Gobler, Senators Kaminsky and LaValle, Assemblymembers Englebright and Thiele, the NYS DEC, and Suffolk County for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology’s new Wastewater Research & Innovation Facility (WRIF) in Suffolk County, NY. The facility is designed to test advanced nutrient removal systems to be used as alternatives to traditional on-site septic systems. To conduct research, the facility utilizes a constant supply of domestic wastewater from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works' (SCDPW) existing wastewater pumping station. This research is part of an ongoing commitment from Suffolk County and NYS to reduce nitrogen and other pollution from septic systems.

Reimagining the Erie Canal
The Reimagine the Canals Task Force is in the process of examining how the historic Erie Canal system can be redeveloped to become a more vital force for boosting local economies, tourism, recreation, and strengthening environmental resiliency. We attended a public meeting in Syracuse to raise and discuss environmental priorities as the task force begins to develop their recommendation to the Governor. We highlighted that this is an opportunity to address invasive species, improve climate change resiliency, restore habitats, mitigate flooding, and increase equitable recreational opportunities. We are continuing to work to ensure that environmental benefits are a priority as recommendations for the Canal are developed.

Trawling for Microplastics in the Great South Bay, LI
CCE has joined with Protecting the Environment in Patchogue, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fire Island National Seashore, and St. Josephs College to further understand microplastics in rivers, bays, and harbors. In the next few months we will be seen out on Patchogue River and in the Great South Bay collecting water samples that will be analyzed for microplastics by St. Josephs College. Stay tuned for results!

In June, the Public Service Commission held public hearings on South Fork Wind Farm and the much-needed cable connection between the offshore wind turbines and the East Hampton power grid. We came out in force and testified on the importance of bringing 130mw of clean wind to Long Island.  CCE thanks everyone who came out to support wind power. If you missed the hearings, you can check out Adrienne Esposito’s testimony here and submit your own letters of support to secretary@dps.ny.gov.

Save the Date: Water and Marine Mammals Forum on Fire Island
Join CCE and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a discussion on efforts to protect drinking water quality and marine mammals, including the record number of whales returning to our area. The forum is free and open to the public. It will be held on August 12, 11am-12:30pm, at Saltaire Library (103 Broadway) on Fire Island, NY.