I-Team: Aurubis Buffalo factory fined $240,000 for violating federal pollution law

SOURCE:

https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/the-price-of-water/i-team-aurubis-buffalo-factory-fined-240-000-for-violating-federal-pollution-law

By Charlie Specht - May 19, 2021

Harbour Place Marine Sales also cited

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — To Margaux Valenti, the 1970s were the “bad old days” on Buffalo’s waterfront.

“We had a Buffalo River that was on fire,” said Valenti, legal and program adviser for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. “We had a Lake Erie that was pronounced dead. And we had a failing economy that was in part due to a polluted waterfront.”

That has changed dramatically, with Lake Erie and the Buffalo and Niagara rivers becoming hot spots for those who want to live, work and play downtown.

But all isn’t well on our corner of the Great Lakes.

Recent Stories from wkbw.com

The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has obtained federal data showing that multiple companies have violated pollution laws that were enacted decades ago to keep our land and water safe.

The federal government has classified two Buffalo businesses -- the Aurubis Buffalo brass and copper manufacturing plant off Military Road and Harbour Place Marine Sales on Niagara Street -- as “significant” violators of laws enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to hundreds of pages of government records reviewed by the I-Team.

The records revealed violations of two federal laws on pollution: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and the Clean Water Act of 1977.

“In the ‘70s, we start to get these big environmental laws,” said Valenti. “And what they gave us was knowledge, accountability and enforceability.”

Aurubis Buffalo was largest violator

Aurubis Buffalo, according to its website, “produces copper and brass plate, which is used to manufacture a number of widely used products such as roofing copper and brass hose nozzles. 

It also handles 2,500 pounds of hazardous waste per month, documents stated, and is considered by state regulators to be a “large quantity generator,” which means it is subject to additional regulations.

A DEC inspector visiting the factory in May 2016 found multiple violations relating to the improper storage of hazardous waste. The inspector stated in DEC documents that workers did not properly label a 250-gallon tote of Hydrochloric acid as hazardous waste and failed to provide records regarding the proper training of employees to handle hazardous waste.

Factory officials also failed to produce, as required by law, a contingency plan “designed to minimize hazards to human health or the environment from fires, explosions, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to air, soil or surface water.”

State regulators required the facility to fix the violations and in June 2018 slapped Aurubis Buffalo with a $35,500 fine.

But just five months later, records show a DEC inspector again found problems with the company’s petroleum bulk storage program, including unreported spills, incorrect labeling of kerosene, a lack of maintenance for spill-prevention equipment and tanks that were not inspected as required by law. 

The facility in its November 2018 inspection also lacked overfill prevention measures, corrosion-resistant pipes, check valves and operating valves on some of its tanks, according to violation notices issued by the DEC.

Then came the spills.

The company in April 2018 failed to report the release of 60,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide wastewater, DEC records stated.

Two months later, hazardous waste spilled again -- this time, in the form of dust -- because company officials did not maintain proper fire suppression systems, state officials said.

In December 2019, more hazardous dust was released from the facility’s bag house into the surrounding neighborhood, including an adjacent property, documents stated. 

And twice in 2020, more than 100 gallons of sulfuric acid spilled on the factory’s concrete floor, including an estimated 85 gallons that washed into the storm drain, according to state environmental records.

“Anytime that toxic or hazardous waste is discharged into our lakes, there is significant cause for concern,” said Brian Smith, associate executive director for the nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “These lakes provide drinking water to millions of residents, they support billion-dollar industries locally, and they’re really just essential for quality of life.”

Because Buffalo has a combined sanitary and stormwater sewer system, if spills happen on rainy days, there’s a greater chance that chemicals could pour into our waterways, Valenti said.

“The contaminants, and the water, and any sanitary waste all go unfiltered, straight discharged into the water without going through the treatment plant,” Valenti said. “So that is one way that contaminants can end up directly in a waterway without any kind of treatment.”

This March, company officials agreed to a settlement with DEC officials that required them to pay $240,399 in fines and make improvements to the facility. But the latest data on the EPA website stated that the company was still considered to be a “Significant Noncomplier” with six sections of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the DEC stated that the agency “is committed to holding facilities accountable for violating state environmental laws and regulations” and that its latest enforcement actions “are part of DEC’s active and ongoing efforts to monitor operations at these facilities and enforce compliance with all applicable permits, laws, and regulations to protect public health and the environment.”

Aurubis Buffalo officials declined an interview request but in a written statement, company president Dustin R. Snyder said, “We take our environmental, health, and safety responsibilities very seriously at Aurubis. Our work with the DEC reflects our commitment to compliance and continuous improvement in environmental performance. We have come to agreement on our environmental upgrade projects. Work is already underway to complete them. We appreciate the DEC’s efforts in working cooperatively with us to achieve this outcome.”

Harbour Place Marine Sales 

The other place in Buffalo identified by the EPA on its website as being in “significant” noncompliance was Harbour Place Marine Sales, Inc., a marina and boat shop on Niagara Street adjacent to AcQua restaurant and event center.

In April 2015, officials at Harbour Place Marine Sales received a letter from the DEC stating that the company failed to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports for the 2014 calendar year. The company, as part of its stormwater discharge permit, is required to submit the reports by Feb. 28 of each year.

“The only issue we’ve had from them is a late filing fee,” Harbour Place president Gary Hall said when reached by phone, referring to regulators.

One day after receiving the letter, officials hired by the company provided the DEC with its discharge report but soon received bad news from state regulators: it was discharging too much iron and aluminum into state waters, documents stated. The company was required to test again and submit follow-up samples to the department.

“I’ll be honest with you,” Hall said. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about there. We pay dearly for an environmental film to do our testing and fill out all the required forms with DEC annually, because the average human being cannot understand their forms, their terminology.”

Valenti, of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said the discharge reports play an important role in ensuring transparency about what is in our water.

“The discharge reports correlate to the company's permit, and it enables the public to look up exactly how much of what contaminants, in what neighborhood, and what effects it's having,” Valenti said. “Without those permits, without those reports, nobody would really have any way to know but for the company itself.”

But in 2019, the company again failed to submit the discharge reports for the first half of the year to the state, according to a DEC violation notice sent to the company. In February 2020, it reached a settlement with the DEC that required it to pay a $1,140 fine for its failure to submit the reports. Hall said the environmental firm hired by his company reimbursed Harbour Place for the fine because the firm was responsible for the filing error.

But recent data on the EPA website stated that the company still did not submit discharge monitoring reports through the end of 2020 and was considered by regulators to be in “Significant/Category I Noncompliance” of portions of the Clean Water Act.

Asked whether his company was currently in compliance with all state water regulations, Hall said, “Absolutely. We do whatever we have to do to comply.”

Buffalo’s sewer system also pollutes

Environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, as well as state laws enforced by the DEC, have been “largely effective” at stopping the discharge of industrial waste into the Great Lakes, said Smith of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“But rather regrettably, there are still bad actors out there that continue to pollute,” he said. “So we have to be diligent and ensure that we're enforcing and holding these companies accountable.

The problem isn’t limited to Buffalo.

The cost of upgrading and maintaining wastewater infrastructure over the next two decades is an estimated $40 billion in New York State alone, Smith estimated.

Much of the funding to this point has been targeted through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which according to its website, provides “funding to 16 federal organizations to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem. 

Those threats include the introduction of PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” into Great Lakes waterways, as well as microplastics and overflows from combined sewer systems in cities like Buffalo. 

Experts point to the Buffalo River as an example of how cleaning a polluted body of water can lead to almost instant economic development and recreational opportunities.

“That has been so successful in removing these legacy contaminants and helping to spur economic growth along our waterfront,” Smith said. “So on one hand we can't be making these major investments in cleaning up the legacy pollution, while continuing to allow industry to continue to pollute. It's one step forward and one step back.”

Citizens who want to look up water quality or environmental data on the EPA’s website can visit https://echo.epa.gov/.

Webinar: Long Island’s Forever Chemical

Join us for a webinar on:

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

Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment for a webinar on PFAS: Long Island’s Toxic “Forever Chemicals.” The EPA’s failure to regulate PFAS is causing tremendous health and economic damage on Long Island. This important discussion will identify steps the EPA should take to regulate PFAS, so that they do not pose unintended or unreasonable risks to humans, animals, and the environment.

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

Topic: PFAS, the “Forever Chemical”
Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM 
Where: Zoom - click here to register today! After registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate.

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

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. 

UPDATE CONNECTICUT’S BOTTLE BILL

Tell Lawmakers to vote “YES” on S.B. 1037

Connecticut’s container deposit law (aka “the Bottle Bill”) was enacted in 1978 and has served as a critically important recycling program—capturing billions of single-serve beverage containers for recycling, reducing pollution and litter, and saving municipalities millions in solid waste costs over time.

Unfortunately, the program is out of date and has not kept up with changing market trends and inflation. As a result, Connecticut’s redemption rate has fallen to around 49% (a 44% drop since 2001).  Instead of being recycled, more than 69,000 tons of glass, plastic and aluminum is being disposed of as solid waste every year!

The Solution: Modernize Connecticut’s Bottle Bill! Proposed legislation (S.B. 1037) would modernize the state’s existing container deposit program in 3 important ways:

1. Improve consumer convenience: Requiring bottle deposit machines in more locations across the state will make it easier for everyone to take bottles back!

2. Expand the program to cover more beverage container types: By expanding the Bottle Bill to include beverage types that have become very popular, Connecticut can virtually eliminate unsightly litter from juices, teas, sports drinks and miniature liquor bottles!

3. Raise the deposit from $.05 to $.10: States like Michigan and Oregon have a $.10 deposit and boast redemption rates of 80 - 90%! Litter from improperly discarded bottles and cans has effectively been eradicated.

Email your elected representatives TODAY and urge them to pass S.B. 1037 to Modernize the CT Bottle Bill and help combat the CT waste crisis!

Additional action: Take just 60 seconds to fill out a quick survey so we can get your feedback on the Bottle Bill!

Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Join us: How to combat pollution in Long Island Sound

Join us for a 3-week virtual workshop series:

“Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution” 

Join us for Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution, a collaborative workshop series advancing 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. Free and open to the public.

When: 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

Topics: Fecal Bacteria Pollution, Nitrogen Pollution, Marie Debris and Plastic Pollution

Hosts: Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Save the Sound, and The Nature Conservancy with generous support from the Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative

Register here (after registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate)

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

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. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

CCE’s 2021 Environmental Equinox Awards Gala
September 30, 2021

We are currently hoping for an in-person event at The Piermont in Babylon but will be ready to pivot to virtual if COVID restrictions necessitate the change. There will be lots of scenic outside space with beautiful views of the bay! Join us to celebrate more than three decades of grassroots accomplishments and our special honorees:

Honorable Todd Kaminsky
New York State Senate 

Honorable Steve Englebright 
New York State Assembly 

CCE is honoring these environmental champions for their leadership in spearheading groundbreaking legislation to combat climate change which will lead New York towards a fossil fuel-free future, and for championing legislation that bans 1,4-dioxane from household products. 1,4-Dioxane, a probable carcinogenic, is currently found in laundry detergents, bath soaps, dish soaps, and baby products and is polluting our drinking water.    

Sponsorships are available. Please contact Maureen Murphy, Mmurphy@citizenscampaign.org or 516-390-7150 for information on sponsorships or individual tickets.

The equinox is the time of year when the sun crosses the equator, and the length of the day equals the length of the night on all parts of the earth. The equinox is a symbol of achieving environmental and societal harmony.

Thank you for your support. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Our Future is Blowing in the Wind

Join us for the next installment in our series of educational forums on offshore wind:

“Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife” 

Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment & New York League of Conservation Voters to learn more about how advancing offshore wind and protecting wildlife can be achieved. In 2019, NY passed the nation’s most aggressive climate law, which mandates 70% renewable energy by 2030 and 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035. To meet these ambitious goals, New York is moving forward with several critically needed wind farms off the coast of Long Island. In this forum, expert panelists will discuss impacts to marine mammals and fish species, potential “reef effects,” and more. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask the expert panelists questions.

Topic: Advancing Wind & Protecting Wildlife
Date:  Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Time: 7:00pm -8:30pm 

Register here (after registering, you will receive a zoom link to participate)

Expert Presenters:

Dr. Howard Rosenbaum is a Senior Conservation Scientist and Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Ocean Giants Program, which aims to secure the future of whales, dolphins, and other marine species. For more than 30 years, Dr. Rosenbaum's innovative science has helped protect marine species from current and emerging threats in their most important habitats. In the NY Bight, Rosenbaum leads WCS’s efforts for research and conservation of marine mammals, which includes a collaborative effort to use state-of-the-art near real-time acoustic monitoring and other technologies to study whales and ocean noise.  

Dr. Drew Carey is the Chief Executive Officer for Inspire Environmental. Dr. Carey was a leader on the many of the studies regarding marine life and the Block Island Wind Project. He has published papers on potential impacts to fish and the benthic region, key lessons learned for biological monitoring, and the “reef effect” of the turbine foundations. 

Catherine Bowes is the Program Director for Offshore Wind Energy for the National Wildlife Federation. The National Wildlife Federation, America's largest conservation organization, works across the country to unite Americans from all walks of life in giving wildlife a voice. They have been on the front lines for wildlife since 1936.

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

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. 

Join Us for a Virtual Public Forum: Save the Western Bays

Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay

Join us to get critical updates on restoring Western Bays water quality, the Bay Park Conveyance Project, and Long Beach STP Consolidation

Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Operation SPLASH and The Nature Conservancy for a virtual forum on restoring our Western Bays.  The forum will review the scientific need for diverting sewage from the Western Bays, provide updates on the connection of the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility (Bay Park Sewage Plant) and Long Beach Sewage Treatment Plant to an existing ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant, and provide an overview of upgrades that already made to South Shore WRF.  There will be a panel discussion at the end to answer your important questions!

When:   Thursday, April 8, 2021, 12:00pm -1:00pm

Speakers: Senator Todd Kaminsky

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Nassau County 

Adrienne Esposito, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Carl Lobue, The Nature Conservancy 

Panel Discussion: NYS DEC, Nassau County, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Operation Splash, The Nature Conservancy and SUEZ

Register in advance to receive a zoom link

Background

The Western Bays are dying.  The science has been very clear— treated sewage effluent  entering into Reynolds Channel is choking our bays.  For over a decade, we advocated for significant upgrades to the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant and to divert the treated sewage to the ocean instead of the bay. New York State and Nassau County are advancing a monumental project known as The Bay Park Conveyance Project that will use an aqueduct under Sunrise Highway to connect the SSWRF and Long Beach Sewage Treatment Plant to an existing outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant. This plan saves money and time—a win for the Western Bays and the public. 

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE