Enforcement of New York’s plastic bag ban, which took effect Sunday, has been pushed off one month after an eleventh-hour lawsuit was filed challenging the legislation.
New York carries out plastic bag ban
Highlights and Happenings: February 2020
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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!
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.
Plastic Bags Banned March 1!
LI solar group expands reach statewide
Wells in Manorville area near former Grumman site to be tested for contamination
The testing, to be done by the county health department and the Suffolk County Water Authority, will include emerging contaminants PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane
Private wells in the Manorville neighborhood abutting the former Grumman manufacturing plant in Calverton will be sampled for some 400 contaminants, including 1,4-Dioxane, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at no cost to residents, Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Patrick Halpin said yesterday.
Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Proposes NY Ban on Polystyrene Foam Food Containers
If Governor Andrew Cuomo gets his way, there could be a statewide ban on single-use polystyrene foam food containers beginning in 2022. Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State includes a proposal to prohibit the distribution and use of polystyrene foam containers used by grocery stores, restaurants and other places where food is served. The ban would also apply to the sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging, also known as “packing peanuts.”
Environmentalists, Lawmakers Slam Grumman Over Toxic Plume 'Coverup'
A Call for Criminal Charges Against US Navy and Northrup Grumman
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 19, 2020
For more information contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Cell: 631-384-1378, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Newsday investigation demonstrates Navy & Grumman knowingly allowed the public to drink toxic water
Farmingdale, NY—Newsday released comprehensive coverage and previously undisclosed documents verifying the US 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. Despite their own consultants warning them of contamination of drinking water wells, they chose to ignore their obligations to protect the public and kept the contamination a secret.
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, businesses, and is contaminating drinking water supply well for thousands of residents. Citizens Campaign for the Environment is calling on our state and federal leaders to take immediate action and bring forth criminal charges against the Navy and Northup Grumman.
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment released the following statement:
“If an individual poisoned their neighbor’s drinking water well or dumped toxic chemicals in a reservoir system, they should face criminal charges. The cover up and lies by the Navy and Grumman caused Bethpage residents to drink dangerous chemicals, thereby harming countless families and victimizing the Bethpage community. The only way to prevent this from happening again, is to hold polluters accountable for their actions, even when those polluters include the federal government. A fine or a slap on the wrist is not enough. Authentic safeguards are needed to stop the pollution of our drinking water. Like any other criminal who endangers the welfare of the public, polluters should go to jail for their crimes. The Bethpage/Grumman plume clean up is crucial to protect the community’s health in the long term however, criminal charges are necessary to give justice to all the families impacted by the Navy and Grumman cover up over the last 40+ years and to prevent this from happening again to other innocent communities.”
Adrienne Esposito Live on LI in the AM 2- 19-2020
State's plastic bag ban on begin March 1
17th Annual Long Island Press Power List Announced
From Montauk to Manhasset, there is no shortage of movers and shakers who hold sway over our lives on Long Island — and in some cases, beyond. But who among them are the most influential?
Behold, the 17th annual Long Island Press Power List of the top 100 leaders in business, education, philanthropy, unions, and politics. Some of them you’ve heard of; others are more behind-the-scenes power players. All have wielded their power effectively and benevolently over the past year to have landed on this list.
Toxic chemicals discovered in some Nassau County water wells
A second chance for plastic bags?
Superfund Inquiry at Noyac Sand Mine
The Noyac Civic Council has received word from Representative Lee Zeldin’s office that the Environmental Protection Agency is looking into the Sand Land mine in Noyac as a possible Superfund site. Eight days after the group was notified, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation publicly posted Sand Land’s latest request for changes to its permit.
Local Rotarians commit to water quality goals
To visitors, boaters and those who work the water, Fire Island and the Great South Bay’s shimmering, magical lure are inspirational bell-ringers. So when Brian McAuliff was sworn in at Watch Hill as Patchogue’s new Rotary Club president, he announced his intention to tackle a cause the club hadn’t had on its agenda: the environment.
Bond could set off a feeding frenzy
Town Of Smithtown Named One Of Top 'Solar Friendly Towns On LI'
TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown has been named one of Long Island's most solar-friendly towns in the Citizens Campaign for the Environment 2019 L.I. Solar Report Card, the Town Supervisor's office announced. This annual report offers a comprehensive evaluation of 19 municipalities throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, using data from the leading solar companies on Long Island.
How Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's budget would affect five key issues facing the state
SOURCE:
https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/cuomo-budget-issues-1.40871519
January 21, 2020
How Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposed budget would affect five key issues facing the state:
TRANSPORTATION
The budget includes $87 billion to modernize the state’s transportation system, but takes a wait-and-see approach to funding long-term improvements for roads and bridges.
With the state Department of Transportation’s five-year capital plan set to lapse this year, Cuomo proposed a shorter, two-year capital program totaling $11.9 billion.
The truncated budget reflects “federal funding uncertainty,” according to Cuomo's budget. The federal government’s transportation budget plan, which funds about 40 percent of state road and bridge projects, expires in September.
Marc Herbst, director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association, a construction trade group, said he was “incredibly disappointed in the lack of funding allocated toward Long Island’s decrepit roads and bridges.”
Cuomo also would commit $3 billion in state money to help pay for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $51.5 billion Capital Program, which includes funding for the LIRR’s Third Track and East Side Access projects.
Nassau County’s NICE Bus system and Suffolk County Transit each would receive a 16 percent increase in state aid for non-MTA transit systems in the downstate region.
Also in Cuomo’s budget is a proposal to ban repeat, “high-risk” individuals — those who commit repeat sex-related violations of the MTA code of conduct, or are high-risk Level 3 sex offenders — for a period of three years. The ban would cover the MTA system, including subways and the LIRR.
“We have people who have been arrested over 70 times for sexual offenses on the subways,” Cuomo said in his budget presentation. “It’s madness to say, ‘We’re going to continue to subject the riders of the subway system to this level of sexual abuse.'”
The budget also includes legislation to merge the state’s Bridge Authority and Thruway Authority, extend by two years the ignition interlock program for convicted drunken drivers and to authorize local governments to allow certain motorized scooters and bicycles on their roads.
Alfonso Castillo
ENVIRONMENT
Cuomo’s budget proposes a $3 billion environmental bond referendum in November, a statewide ban on polystyrene — commonly known as Styrofoam — and a study of connecting Nassau County to New York City’s water supply because of concerns about emerging contaminants in drinking water.
The “Restore Mother Nature” act would fund habitat restoration and flood reduction projects. The legislation is part of what Cuomo said would be a $33 billion state commitment over five years to fight climate change.
Cuomo called it “the most aggressive climate change agenda in the country.”
The state budget also would commit an additional $500 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and water quality protection.
One environmental group said the money wasn’t enough. The proposals are “mostly repackaged existing funding commitments,” Alex Beauchamp, Northeast region director for the Food & Water Action, said in a statement.
But Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said funding in Cuomo's budget to fight climate change was “unprecedented in the state budget and will help us make the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.”
The $3 billion bond initiative would be paid back over 30 years if approved by voters.
The proposed polystyrene ban would go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. It would cover single-use food containers including beverage cups, along with Styrofoam packaging such as packing peanuts.
The drinking water study would examine issues including the cost of connecting Nassau water providers to New York City and the capacity of the city’s water supply system.
Water providers have warned of $1.4 billion in costs to treat emerging contaminants in drinking water.
“Treating emerging contaminants requires a significant investment, perhaps unsustainably so, which makes looking at alternative sources a common sense move," said state Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), who requested the study.
David M. Schwartz
ENERGY
Cuomo promised to “flip the whole model” for locating, approving, financing and building energy projects across the state, saying the current model known as Article 10 “does not work.”
“You can’t have the goals we have and then have a system of bureaucracy that takes five to 10 years to start a new energy project,” he said of his plans for a carbon-free energy grid by 2040.
Cuomo proposed changing the state Energy Research and Development Authority, the Public Service Commission and the Empire State Development Corp. so New York would “lead the process” of locating sites for energy projects.
Cuomo said the state’s five-year, $33 billion plan to address climate change includes $9.1 billion for offshore wind; $6 billion for land-based renewables; $1.9 billion for clean-energy research; and $1.1 billion for the state Green Bank.
Budget documents lacked details about where that $33 billion will come from or how the agencies and the process would be reformed. A NYSERDA spokeswoman said Cuomo would be releasing details "in coming weeks.”
The documents note the “Climate Budget” “invests” $28 billion through NYSERDA, New York Power Authority and the Regional Green House Gas initiative to fund the projects.
Mark Harrington
BUSINESS AND JOBS
Cuomo's budget would require all but the smallest businesses to provide paid sick leave.
Employers with five to 99 workers would have to provide five paid sick days per year, while those with 100 or more workers would have to provide seven paid days. Businesses with fewer than five workers would have to provide five unpaid sick days.
Cuomo said mandatory sick leave would reduce the spread of disease and boost worker productivity. He estimated that 1 million New Yorkers must choose between working while they are ill or taking a day off without pay. He said many are working part time or are in low-wage occupations.
Cuomo also proposed a task force to recommend measures to protect gig economy workers from unsafe working conditions, wage theft and excessive hours. Companies such as Uber, Lyft and GrubHub that employ thousands of workers as independent contractors would be represented on the panel.
Cuomo restated his support for requiring the prevailing wage — essentially union wages — to be paid to construction workers on projects receiving tax breaks from the state and municipalities, including industrial development agencies. The proposal died last year after developers said they wouldn’t build in New York State if it became law.
Kevin Law, CEO of the Long Island Association, the region's largest business group, said New York "should learn from California’s mistakes before trying to regulate the gig economy, so as to not discourage innovation and entrepreneurship."
Law also said the prevailing wage shouldn’t apply to “privately funded projects that utilize IDAs simply to help make those projects financially viable,” such as affordable housing near Long Island Rail Road stations.
In terms of tax breaks, Cuomo is proposing a state tax credit for jobs created by environment-friendly projects that, for example, rely on solar panels and geothermal energy to address climate change.
James T. Madore
HEALTH CARE
Cuomo proposed a carrot-and-stick approach to push counties to rein in rapidly rising Medicaid costs, which account for a third of the $6.1 billion state budget gap.
Counties, which administer much of the program, get “a blank check” every year from Albany because of a 2013 state agreement to cover all increases in expenses, so there is no incentive to control costs, Cuomo said. Previously, counties had paid 25% of Medicaid expenses.
Under Cuomo's budget proposal, counties that increase Medicaid spending by more than 3% and do not stay within the 2% property-tax cap must pay the entire increase.
But if the increase is below 3%, counties keep 25% of the savings.
Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone said in a statement the county will work with the state “to identify savings.” Christine Geed, spokeswoman for Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, said Nassau will study Cuomo’s proposal and continue “to control costs.”
Cuomo also proposed to reduce Medicaid costs by $2.5 billion through efficiencies and additional revenue, and reducing waste, fraud and abuse. He appointed Michael Dowling, president and CEO of New Hyde Park-based Northwell Health, and labor leader Dennis Rivera to chair the effort. Cuomo vowed it would have “zero impact on beneficiaries.”
Cuomo also said New York would study buying prescription drugs from Canada. And he proposed additional restrictions on vape products, a $100 monthly cap on co-payments for insulin and 1,000 additional supportive housing units, primarily for people with mental illness.
David Olson
