CCE in the News

Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop proposed Yaphank waste transfer station, distribution center

Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop proposed Yaphank waste transfer station, distribution center

A state Supreme Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by the state NAACP and an environmental nonprofit that aimed to block a proposed Yaphank solid waste transfer station that would ship construction trash off Long Island by rail.

An NAACP spokesman and Farmingdale nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment said they would appeal.

Experts studying the environmental impact of Las Vegas Sands’ proposed $4 billion casino resort in Uniondale

SOURCE:

https://www.wliw.org/radio/captivate-podcast/audit-finds-lirr-employees-with-unsafe-driving-habits-and-excessive-idling/

January 19, 2024

Experts studying the environmental impact of Las Vegas Sands’ proposed $4 billion casino resort in Uniondale told Hempstead Town officials Thursday they would survey traffic patterns and the possible impact on air quality of the project. Their comments came during a town hearing attended by hundreds of supporters and opponents of the project. The session was among the largest public hearings held on the project since Sands announced it would apply for a state gaming license for a casino resort on the Nassau Coliseum site. Candice Ferrette reports on Newsday.com that Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, testified Thursday in favor of the casino project. “Frankly, no matter what we put there, we are going to have more traffic, we are going to use water, we’re going to have energy consumption and we’re going to have waste generation,” Esposito said. “The question is, are we going to develop that area with a company that believes in environmental stewardship or are we going to develop that area that doesn’t care about environment?”

Long Islanders pack public hearing on proposed casino for the Nassau Hub

Long Islanders pack public hearing on proposed casino for the Nassau Hub

Hundreds of Long Islanders sounded off at Thursday's public hearing on plans to build a casino and resort at the Nassau Hub in Uniondale. The $4 billion project drew supporters excited about the revenue and job opportunities, and detractors who raised concerns that a casino would bring crime, traffic and pollution.

Proposed casino divides Long Island resident

Proposed casino divides Long Island resident

UNIONDALE, Long Island (PIX11) — Developers behind a casino project on Long Island say it would bring jobs, pull the community together, and attract world-class entertainment. 

Developers also state the projects would improve the environmental status of the place where the complex, called the Nassau Hub, would be built. People critical of the project warn that it could harm the communities that it is meant to serve, in a variety of ways. Both sides voiced their opinions in a big way at a pair of hearings on Thursday.  

Hundreds attend heated public meeting regarded proposed Nassau County casino

Hundreds attend heated public meeting regarded proposed Nassau County casino

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- More than 300 Nassau County residents packed the ballroom at the Uniondale Marriott on Thursday to have their voices heard regarding a proposed $4 billion resort casino.

Some are demanding independent traffic, air, water and noise studies.

Long Island, New York, landfill closure extended as officials search for ash solutions

Long Island, New York, landfill closure extended as officials search for ash solutions

The Brookhaven landfill is still slated to stop accepting C&D waste by the end of this year, but may accept ash until 2027 or 2028.

Dive Brief:

  • The Brookhaven Landfill on Long Island, New York, may get two extra years of life to accept incinerator ash, newly elected Town Supervisor Dan Panico told Newsday last week. Panico is seeking an extension of the landfill’s permit that would allow it to remain open until 2027 or 2028, rather than its current permit expiration on July 11, 2026.

  • Local leaders are working to find alternative disposal capacity for incinerator ash from the Covanta-run facility in Westbury that handles much of Suffolk County’s waste. Panico also confirmed the landfill would stop accepting C&D waste — which constitutes 65% of the waste accepted at the landfill annually — by the end of the year.

  • The permit extension will buy extra time for private industry solutions to press forward. Carlson Corp., a longtime Long Island C&D and organic waste processor, has applied for federal permission to construct a rail terminal to process and ship waste off the island. Winters Bros. has also floated a proposal for a rail terminal adjacent to the Brookhaven Landfill.

Nassau Hub environmental review, road repairs, LIPA, dog poop, animal cruelty

Nassau Hub environmental review, road repairs, LIPA, dog poop, animal cruelty

Hub environmental review is crucial

The Town of Hempstead’s environmental review hearings for the proposed development at the Nassau Hub are a critical component of any major development project [“Casino review halt sought,” News, Jan. 10].

Long Island Community Foundation awards $700G to empower girls, promote social justice, more

Long Island Community Foundation awards $700G to empower girls, promote social justice, more

In its year-end distribution of charitable grants, the Long Island Community Foundation announced it had given more than $700,000 to 28 groups spanning a wide range of projects, from environmental and conservation causes to the arts to youth development.

Equinor, BP scrap contract for offshore wind project in Long Beach

Equinor, BP scrap contract for offshore wind project in Long Beach

The developers of an offshore wind project in Long Beach are terminating their agreement with the state.

Equinor and BP are scrapping their contract for the Empire Two Wind project to "reset." They say rising costs of materials and inflation are to blame.

Will New York Meet its Goals for Offshore Wind Power?

Will New York Meet its Goals for Offshore Wind Power?

While New York has secured eight offshore wind contracts for development, energy experts say not enough investment is being made in the port infrastructure needed to assemble the turbines and deploy them out to sea. 

South Fork Wind under construction off the coast of Long Island. The project will be the one of the first large-scale offshore wind farms up and running in the United States.

New York has big plans to generate power from non-polluting renewable energy, produced by giant windmills floating in the Atlantic ocean.

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

To help safeguard pollinators, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

Signed into law last week, the legislation prohibits the use of specific neonicotinoid pesticide-treated corn, soybean and wheat seeds and neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor ornamental plants and turfs. The ban goes into effect in 2027, according to published reports.

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Substance is considered dangerous to bees

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a partial ban on neonicotinoids, a powerful and widely-used pesticide that environmentalists say is the most harmful chemical since DDT,  but which farmers have long relied upon to control pests.

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $479 million in grants for critical water infrastructure projects, including the first funding awarded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which was passed by voters after Hochul pushed to increase the total amount by $1 billion upon taking office. 

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

From Long Island Sound to large cities, areas across the state will see positive change through multiple grants recently secured by The Nature Conservancy. Awards will advance ongoing collaborative work with existing partners but will also engage stakeholders in new conservation projects.

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Advocates, Health Professionals, and Farmers Celebrate

ALBANY, NY — A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

10 Days Left for Governor to Protect New Yorkers’ Public Health, Environment

ALBANY, NY — With 10 days left to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A / A7640), New Yorkers have called for action from Governor Kathy Hochul. Today, doctors, farmers, and advocates expressed concern that if Governor Hochul doesn’t sign the bill, an immense opportunity would be missed to protect people and the environment from neonic pesticide exposure. The Birds and Bees Protection Act would eliminate 80-90% of neonics from entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting the use of neonic-coated corn and soybean seeds, as well as limiting unnecessary neonic lawn and garden uses.

Wind Farm Power Starts Flowing

Wind Farm Power Starts Flowing

Officials celebrate a first in federal waters as project’s completion nears

East Hampton Town officials, along with their counterparts from Suffolk County and New York State, were in a celebratory mood on Dec. 6 at Town Hall, where they toasted the clean, renewable electricity that last week began flowing from the South Fork Wind farm through 78 miles of underwater cable to a Long Island Power Authority substation in East Hampton.