Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling in New York

Hold manufacturers—not taxpayers—responsible for their waste!

New York State is suffering from a solid waste and recycling crisis—recycling costs for municipalities and taxpayers have skyrocketed, recycling rates have declined, and our environment and health are suffering from pollution caused by excessive plastic packaging. Currently, corporate brand owners bear no responsibility in managing the product packaging waste they have created.  

A proposed policy known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) would require product manufacturers—not taxpayers—to be responsible for the cost of collecting and recycling the packaging and printed paper they create. A strong EPR policy will help:

• Reduce waste: EPR incentivizes producers to produce less packaging in the first place!

• Increase recycling: New York’s recycling rate is approximately 18%, while countries that have adopted an EPR policy have rates over 70%.

• Eliminate toxic chemicals: Prohibit the harmful “forever chemical” PFAS and other toxic chemicals often used in packaging.

• Reduce plastic pollution in our waterways: Lake Erie is polluted with 381 metric tons of plastic while Long Island Sound has an estimated 165 million plastic particles floating in the water at any given time.

• Save taxpayers money: Local governments (outside of NYC) pay $80 million annually to keep recycling programs going.

• Fight climate change: EPR can lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 2.3 million metric tons — the equivalent of taking half a million cars off the road or reducing the state’s GHG emissions from waste by 18%

Urge your representatives in the NY Senate and Assembly to pass a strong EPR policy this legislative session!

Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Highlights and Happenings: February 2022

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

VICTORY! Celebrating $1 Billion for Great Lakes Clean Up 
Our Associate Executive Director, Brian Smith, joined with Rep. Brian Higgins, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, & the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month to celebrate a $1 billion investment from the bipartisan infrastructure bill in Great Lakes restoration. This funding will help clean up four toxic hot spots in NY’s Great Lakes waters (Buffalo River, Niagara River, Eighteen Mile Creek, Rochester Embayment) over the next several years! These toxic hot spots have polluted sources of drinking water and threatened public health for decades. This is a huge step forward!  

VICTORY! New York’s First Offshore Wind Farm Breaks Ground 
Last month, we celebrated the groundbreaking of NY’s first offshore wind farm – South Fork Wind. After 10 years of work with environmental organizations, labor partners, and the public, we were very excited that NY’s offshore wind future is finally becoming a reality. South Fork Wind will bring renewable energy to 70,000 homes and accelerate our just transition to green energy. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, the Director of BOEM, Amanda Lefton, and NYSERDA for working so hard to make offshore wind a reality for NY. 

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Happenings

Protecting Our Pollinators 
We joined with advocates from across the state representing public health, farming and environmental groups for a virtual lobby day in support of the Birds and Bees Protection Act. We highlighted the critical need to limit unnecessary uses of toxic neonicotinoid pesticides (A.K.A neonics), which have decimated bee populations, polluted drinking water, and have been linked to adverse human health impacts. This coalition has been working to pass state legislation to ban the sale of neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds; and ornamental uses on lawns, gardens, and golf courses. By banning just these few uses, we could eliminate 85-90% of all neonics used in New York and protect our pollinators, water quality, and human health. Help us by emailing your elected representatives today and urge them to pass the Birds and Bees Protection Act! 

Pushing for Electric Vehicles 
In February, we joined Congressman Tom Suozzi as he announced $26 million in federal funds to help New York build a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. New York has a goal of 1 million EVs by 2035, which means we need charging stations installed throughout the state quickly and broadly. In addition to these federal funds, we are also working to pass state legislation allowing for uncapped direct sales of EVs in NY (there are currently only 5 EV direct sale locations permitted in downstate NY). Florida, which currently allows for the uncapped direct sales of EVs, had 60% higher sales of EVs than NY in 2020, and nearly twice as many EVs on the road. We need to catch up if we are going to meet our important climate change goals! 

Calling for Federal Investments in Climate and Environmental Solutions 
We joined state elected leaders and advocates for virtual events in both Western and Central New York calling on Senator Schumer to continue to his leadership and push for the U.S. Senate to make significant climate investments. These press conferences highlighted the impacts of climate change that are being felt in the upstate NY. Sewage overflows, increased flooding, lead drinking water pipes and harmful algal blooms are all threats that could be addressed with the $550 billion investment the House has already approved. Now we need Senator Schumer to continue to fight for New Yorkers and combat climate change by getting the $550 billion climate and environmental solutions investment to the Senate floor for a vote. Thank you NYS Senators Ryan, May and Mannion, Assemblyman Conrad, and our colleagues at the NY League of Conservation Voters and Mothers Out Front, for joining us in bringing attention to these federal investments that New York and the nation desperately need. 

Crews Break Ground On Major Offshore Wind Project In East Hampton

SOURCE:

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/6199084-crews-break-ground-on-major-offshore-wind-project-in-east-hampton/

February 11, 2022

New York's move toward clean energy hit a milestone Friday with a groundbreaking in East Hampton for a major offshore wind project. It will be only the second in the nation; CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reports.

Highlights and Happenings: January 2022

Image by planet_fox from Pixabay

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

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Highlights

CCE Priorities in the NYS Executive Budget 
We are thrilled Governor Hochul’s 2022-2023 budget proposal includes many of our top environmental priorities. The final state budget is due by April 1, and we are working to ensure that these proposals (and more) make it into the final New York State budget. The proposed budget includes: 

• $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act: This historic bond act will go before the voters on the November ballot, and if approved, will support clean water, protect communities from climate change, and support over 65,000 jobs. 

• An all-time high of $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF): Allows communities to protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, support zoos, and more. 

• $500 million to grow the offshore wind supply chain: Creates jobs and helps to ensure NY meets its ambitious 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035 target.

• $500 million for clean water infrastructure: Supports clean drinking water, upgrades to sewer systems, and more. We are working to increase funding for this important program in the final budget. 

• Holds manufacturers, not taxpayers, accountable for recycling their packaging waste: This policy would reduce packaging waste, improve recycling, prevent plastic pollution, and save local governments millions of dollars. A complimentary policy would ban toxic chemicals, like PFAS, in product packaging. 

• Strengthening protections for our critical wetlands: The program will support the protection of more than a million additional acres of wetlands throughout the state. 

• $200 million for state parks: Enhances and improves our state parks that provide amazing recreational opportunities and support tourism.

VICTORY: Killingly Gas Plant in Connecticut Cancelled! 
Federal regulators have delivered a final death blow to the proposed 650 MW gas-fired power plant, which would have significantly delayed Connecticut's progress on transitioning off dirty fossil fuels and combatting climate change. This decision clears the way for clean renewable energy and energy efficiency in our communities. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who weighed in on this important issue! 

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Happenings

New Wastewater Infrastructure on Long Island! Clean Water Project Breaks Ground 
In January we celebrated breaking ground for the Forge River sewer project. This project will finally provide residents of Mastic-Shirley with sewers that will replace their septics and cesspools with modern sewage treatment technology. After so many years of work, we were proud to join Suffolk County Executive Bellone, NYS DEC Commissioner Seggos, Congressman Zeldin, many state and local representatives, labor leaders, environmental partners, community stakeholders, and more for this historic event. This sewer project will reduce nitrogen loading in the Forge River by 70%. We look forward to a cleaner, healthier river! 

Protecting Plum Island 
We have fought for years to preserve Plum Island, an 840 acre, largely undeveloped island in Long Island Sound that serves as a critical habitat for birds and has tremendous ecological value. In January, the Preserve Plum Island Coalition stood together to urge NY Governor Hochul to support the coalition’s fight to preserve Plum Island and protect this irreplaceable natural resource. 

Urging our NY Legislators to Invest in Clean Water 
We joined our New York Clean Water coalition partners to host the 4th Annual Clean Water Legislative Briefing. The virtual event was attended by over 95 elected officials, staff, and clean water stakeholders to hear from experts on New York’s water quality needs and the coalition’s priorities. Last year, the coalition worked collaboratively to develop a shared 2022 agenda for clean water in New York. Priorities included, but were not limited to, increasing investments in clean water infrastructure, a $4 billion Environmental Bond Act, $400 million Environmental Protection Fund, protecting freshwater wetlands, replacing lead service lines, and more. We are pushing to ensure these important clean water programs and increased funding make it into the final budget. 

Learning More about the Sunrise and South Fork Wind Farms 
In January, we co-hosted a virtual forum with the New York League of Conservation Voters to hear from representatives from Orsted and Eversource on their South Fork and Sunrise Wind Farms. Thanks to all who joined us to find out more about these two projects off the coast of Montauk, which together will power hundreds of thousands of Long Island homes. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here. 

What’s in Governor Hochul’s Proposed 2022 Budget for Long Island’s Environment? Join Us and Find Out!

Join us for a virtual presentation featuring NYS Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid to learn more about funding for water quality, parks, offshore wind energy, and more!

Register for the Virtual Event Here

Governor Hochul’s proposed 2022-2023 budget supports critical environmental programs: 

• A $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act

• All-time-high Environmental Protection Fund at $400 million

• Significant investments in offshore wind

• Funding for clean water infrastructure

• Increased funding for state parks

• Policy to reduce paper and plastic packaging waste, and to improve recycling

• Enhanced protections for wetlands

CCE is hosting a virtual presentation with Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, to discuss how these important budget proposals will affect Long Island communities, waterways, parks, and natural resources. 

The presentation is open to the public, free to join, and there will be an opportunity for questions and answers from the audience. 

Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 

Time: 11:00am

Where: Via Zoom—Register Here

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at CCE

Big Gains for Environmental Programs in Proposed NY Budget

We were thrilled when Governor Hochul recently released her 2022-2023 executive budget proposal and it included many of CCE’s top priorities for this year. 2022 is shaping up to be a great year for New York’s environment with historic funding proposed for environmental and public health protections. This is major progress, and we could not have done it without your support! 

The final state budget is due by April 1st, and we are working to ensure that Governor Hochul’s proposals (and more) make it into the final New York State Budget. The proposed budget includes:

• Historic $4 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act: The bond act, which would go before the voters on the November ballot, will protect clean water, protect communities from climate change, and create thousands of good jobs.

• An all-time high of $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund: Allows communities to protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, support zoos, and more.

• $500 million to grow the offshore wind supply chain: Creates jobs and helps to ensure NY meets its ambitious 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035 target.

• $500 million for clean water infrastructure: Helps communities treat drinking water for dangerous contaminants, upgrades outdated sewage and septic systems, replaces lead drinking water pipes, and more.

• Holds manufacturers, not taxpayers, accountable for recycling their packaging waste: This policy would reduce packaging waste, improve recycling, prevent plastic pollution, and save local governments millions of dollars. A complimentary policy would ban toxic chemicals, like PFAS, in product packaging.

• Strengthens protections for our critical wetlands: Wetlands help protect drinking water, reduce flooding, and are home to numerous threatened and endangered species.

• $200 million for state parks: Enhances and improves our state parks that provide amazing recreational opportunities and support tourism.

Stay tuned for opportunities to weigh in on the budget process and maximize critical environmental funding!

Thank you,
Your friends at CCE

Support a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

Photo by Andris Bergmanis from Pexels

Urge Governor Hochul to include a $500 million Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s budget

In 1993, the NYS Legislature created the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to provide a reliable and dedicated source of funding for essential environmental programs in NYS. EPF projects have invested over $3 billion in local communities to protect clean water, conserve open space, save family farms, bolster recycling programs, revitalize waterfronts, build community parks, support zoos, and more. These investments not only benefit our environment; they also help bolster our economy and support 350,000 jobs. For every $1 of EPF funds invested in land conservation, $7 in goods and services is returned to NYS. As we combat harmful algal blooms from nitrogen pollution, a solid waste crisis, climate change impacts and water quality impairments across our state, it is more important than ever to make crucial investments in environmental protection this year.

For the last six years, EPF funding has been stuck at $300 million. While this is a good start, EPF funding is meant to grow over time, and we cannot afford another year of stagnation. We need increased funding to support programs including climate resiliency measures, improving recycling, conserving open space, and protecting our oceans, estuaries, and Great Lakes. This year, we are urging Governor Hochul to include an historic $500 million EPF in the 2022-2023 budget and we need your help!

Email Governor Hochul today and let her know you support a $500 million Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s budget.

Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE

Biden Administration’s Greenlight of NY Bight Sale for Offshore Wind Power Celebrated by Labor, Environment, and Industry. Groups Applaud Gov Hochul

Contact:

Fred Zalcman, Director, New York Offshore Wind Alliance, 475- 204-4762 (Mobile)

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment 631-384-1378

Mariah Dignan, Regional Director, Climate Jobs NY 646-708-5474

Julie Tighe, Executive Director, NYLCV  518-330-4812

Long Island - Climate Jobs NY, New York League of Conservation Voters, Long Island Association, Long Island Federation of Labor, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Sierra Club applaud Governor Hochul and the Biden Administration’s prioritization of offshore wind development off New York’s shores. This Final Sale Notice brings us one significant step closer to transitioning away from fossil fuels, fighting climate change and creating tens of thousands of good union jobs. 

On December 16, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completed its environmental review of the nearly 800,000-acre wind energy areas (WEAs) in the NY Bight and issued a finding of no significant impact. This is a key marker in creating a sustainable, thorough, and predictable permitting process to advance the offshore wind industry. Development in the areas included in this Final Sale Notice encompass six additional lease areas providing the potential to generate over 5.6-7 gigawatts of clean wind energy, enough to power over 4 million homes. Today’s announcement includes: 

• 6 new wind energy lease areas – the most new lease areas created by BOEM at one time.

• Stipulations concerning project labor agreements (PLAs) - leaseholder will be required to make every reasonable effort to enter into PLA covering construction scope

• New incentives for use of domestic supply chain – lessees given a credit off rental fee for domestic assembly or manufacturing of major project components which encourages locally sourced materials and jobs.

• Stipulations concerning enhanced/early engagement with interested and affected stakeholders

John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor said, “The Final Sale Notice for the New York Bight demonstrates that President Biden is determined to fight climate change while bringing a new industry to Long Island with jobs that provide good wages and benefits. Opening new lease areas for offshore wind development will create the opportunities for a new generation of workers to gain careers that will help our region build strong, resilient communities.”

“BOEM’s Final Sale Notice for the New York Bight is a major milestone in the development of a domestic U.S. offshore wind industry”, said Fred Zalcman, Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance. “The Biden Administration’s unwavering commitment to the development of this new, clean and abundant renewable resource will pay significant dividends by spurring new investments in area ports and harbors, manufacturing capacity, and the next generation of skilled workers.”

“With today's Final Sale Notice on these six new lease areas in the New York Bight, the Biden Administration signaled the historic opportunity we have to create thousands of good union jobs in offshore wind, with a Project Labor Agreement requirement for construction of new wind farms,” said Mariah Dignan, Regional Director for Climate Jobs NY. “This crucial stipulation will propel working families forward for generations to come while taking an important step forward for the offshore wind industry, which can be an anchor of our energy future here on Long Island and throughout New York.”

“Climate related disasters in 2021 cost us $145 billion dollars in recovery needs. Tornados, hurricanes, droughts, fires and heat waves are devasting to our economy and communities. We cannot afford to delay our nation’s battel against the climate crises. Fortunately, the answer is blowing in the wind. We are delighted that the Administration is prioritizing the development of offshore wind. Our future depends on it,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. 

“From the Build Back Better Act to advancing clean energy projects, President Biden's administration is clearly prioritizing climate action,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Today’s announcement by BOEM of new lease areas for auction in the New York bight will accomplish critical goals in tandem: generate enough clean energy to power more than two million homes, cut our reliance of fossil fuels, and create good-paying union jobs. Offshore wind will continue to play a crucial role as we strive to fight climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and green our grid, and we thank BOEM Administrator Amanda Lefton for her leadership on offshore wind development."

“The production of offshore wind energy in the New York Bight will mean more than just clean power; it means hope and new opportunities.  The impact of BOEM’s actions coupled with developing the region’s Offshore Wind market will certainly change our environment and economy for the better. Reducing our dependency on fossil fuels is crucial and reaching that goal is a key element in ensuring the earth is on a path to heal itself for the next generation.

Apprenticeship Training Programs are ready to capitalize on these initiatives and provide new careers for a generation of workers who want and deserve to be part of the middle class,” said Matthew Aracich, President of Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

"The announcement of up to 7GW of new lease areas for new offshore wind development is a victory for New York families, workers, and the climate," said Allison Considine, Senior Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club. "This marks a major milestone in achieving New York’s goal of 9GW of offshore wind by 2035, and President Biden’s goal of 30GW by 2030. Today’s Final Sale Notice demonstrates that New York’s goal of achieving 100% fossil-fuel-free electricity is not only feasible, it is breaking ground on new opportunities that will revitalize our economy and create a national leadership hub for responsible offshore wind development."

Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the Long Island Association, said, “It is a key priority of the Long Island Association to make our region the offshore wind capital of the country, and with today’s announcement from the Biden Administration it is clear we will be a national leader in clean energy, with the support of Governor Hochul. The LIA will work to ensure that Long Island realizes the job creation and supply chain benefits of our clean energy economy.”

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Hold manufacturers—not taxpayers—responsible for their waste!

Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling in New York

New York State is suffering from a growing solid waste and recycling crisis. Recycling markets in China and elsewhere have closed their doors to the U.S., forcing us to start managing our long-standing solid waste problems. As a result, municipal recycling costs have skyrocketed, recycling rates have declined, and our environment and health are suffering from pollution. 

Signs of our solid waste crisis are evident across New York:

Plastic packaging and paper recycling are in crisis: New York generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually. An estimated 40 percent of that waste is composed of product packaging and paper products, such as plastic containers, steel cans, plastic film, glass bottles, and cardboard. Unfortunately, less than half of this waste is being recycled properly. Instead of being recycled, much of this waste is ending up as litter in our communities, shipped to landfills, or burned in trash incinerators. 

Costs to local governments—and taxpayers—have skyrocketed: Municipalities were once getting paid for recyclables, however now, they must pay to recycle. Instead of generating revenue from recyclables, many municipalities face recycling costs in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars per year. The increased cost for local governments to process these materials was estimated to total $80 million across NYS in 2021. Local officials are now forced to consider raising fees on residents and/or reducing the recycling services provided to their communities.

New York’s waterways are suffering from increased plastic pollution: All too often, plastic packaging is littering our communities, ultimately making its way into our treasured rivers, lakes, bays, and ocean. Plastics do not biodegrade once they enter the environment—instead they break down into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which are frequently mistaken for food and ingested by fish and other aquatic wildlife. Recent research indicates that Lake Erie contains 381 metric tons of plastic—more than 50 times greater than the previous estimates at the surface. In NY/NJ Harbor Estuary, there are an estimated 165 million plastic particles floating in the water at any given time. In Long Island Sound coastal communities, voluntary clean ups report finding over 110,000 pounds of marine debris on beaches over the last 8 years.

Large Brands are Failing to Take Responsibility: Currently, manufacturers bear no responsibility for disposing of packaging waste they create. Large brands have externalized the cost of disposing of packaging onto our municipal recycling programs and local taxpayers.  For example, an estimated 165 billion packages are shipped in the U.S. every year, and yet companies currently bear no responsibility for managing any of this packaging waste that their businesses create.  Instead, taxpayers are shouldering the financial burden for disposal. 

The Solution to Reducing Waste and Saving Taxpayers Money: Hold Manufacturers Responsible for their Waste: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) would require manufacturers to take responsibility for their products throughout their entire product life cycle, by bearing the cost of proper recycling and responsible disposal for packaging and printed paper. Not only does this provide relief to taxpayers, but it also serves as an incentive for producers to minimize packaging materials, improve recyclability, and reduce the toxicity of their products. Packaging EPR policies have existed in Canada and the EU for decades and resulted in recycling rates upwards of 90%.

New York Must Take Action on Our Solid Waste Crisis!

Governor Hochul has proposed to include EPR in the 2022-23 state budget. New York State can reduce waste, increase recycling, save taxpayers money, and protect our treasured waters by including Extender Producer Responsibility for packaging and paper in the final state budget. Email elected representatives today and urge them to support EPR in the final 2022-23 state budget! 

Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!

Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE