Citizens Campaign for the Environment plans to use grant money to take Uniondale High School students on explorations of Long Island Sound, introducing them to the natural world to help them “fall in love with our marine waters” and become good stewards of the environment, the group's executive director said.
Watch the video here: https://longisland.news12.com/meeting-held-over-next-steps-for-cleanup-at-bethpage-community-park
Photo by Tom Fisk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bird-s-eye-view-of-landfill-3181031/
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.
The NYS Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.4246B/A.5322B) would help address our solid waste crisis. The policy requires product manufacturers—not taxpayers—to be responsible for the cost of collecting and recycling the packaging they create. If passed into law, this legislation will reduce packaging waste, increase recycling, eliminate toxic chemicals in packaging, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save local governments across the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The NYS legislature must pass this bill before the legislative session ends on June 6.
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 20% of this waste is being recycled properly. Instead of being recycled, much of this waste ends 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, but 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 solid waste and recycling crisis is estimated to cost New York’s local governments over $400 million annually. 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 course of 8 years.
Large Brands are Failing to Take Responsibility: Currently, manufacturers bear no responsibility for recycling the packaging waste they create. Large brands have externalized the cost of disposing of and recycling 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 and local governments are shouldering the financial burden of packaging disposal and recycling—the cost to New York State’s local governments is estimated at over $400 million annually.
The Solution to Reducing Waste and Saving Taxpayers Money: Hold Manufacturers Responsible for their Waste! The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (often referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR) would require manufacturers to take responsibility for their products throughout their entire product life cycle, by bearing the cost of properly recycling their packaging. Not only does this provide relief to taxpayers, but it also requires producers to minimize packaging materials, improve recyclability, and reduce the toxicity of their products. These policies have existed in Canada and the EU for decades and resulted in recycling rates upwards of 80%.
Thank you for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
Next Phase of the State’s Supply Chain Activities Released in the Form of $200 Million Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics RFP
Request for Information Also Announced to Inform Fifth Offshore Wind Solicitation and $300 Million Major Component Supply Chain RFP
Steps Support Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goal to Develop 9,000 Megawatts of Offshore Wind by 2035
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced definitive steps in support of the growing clean energy industry in New York and the State’s 10-Point Action Plan. As part of the next phase of the State’s $500 million commitment to offshore wind supply chain activities, a $200 million Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics Request for Proposals is now open to support investments in infrastructure and manufacturing to grow the domestic offshore wind supply chain in New York. In addition, a Request for Information (RFI) will be issued to inform the development of New York’s fifth offshore wind project solicitation (NY5) and design of a coordinated $300 million RFP focusing on major component offshore wind supply chain investments. Today’s announcements support continued progress toward achieving New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.
WEST ISLIP, NY — New York State has again detected high levels of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, at a Superfund site in West Islip four years after the waste was initially cleaned up, according to a report from Newsday.
Yale researchers spoke with Hicksville residents about a toxic pollutant found in the drinking water on the island and shared how Long Islanders could be the key to learning more about it.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment, North Shore Land Alliance, and The Nature Conservancy are co-hosting a conference that will bring together leaders in the field of water science. Leading experts will update attendees about the condition of local water, including surface water and drinking water. There will also be a robust panel discussion that will focus on solutions that both municipalities and homeowners can use to address the protection of this critical natural resource. This event is free, but advanced registration is required! Register today.
Raingardens and native plants
Low-nitrogen septic systems
Better lawn fertilizers
Topics include:
Innovations in water technology
Drinking and surface water quality
Land conservation and water quantity
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Long Island University Student Center Auditorium
720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY 11548
Keynote Speaker: David L. Sedlak, Author and Professor of Environmental Engineering at University of California, Berkeley
David Sedlak is a Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Plato Malozemoff Professor of Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. Sedlak’s research focuses on the fate of chemical contaminants, with the long-term goal of developing cost-effective, safe, and sustainable systems to manage water resources. Sedlak’s research has addressed water reuse—the practice of using municipal wastewater effluent to sustain aquatic ecosystems and augment drinking water supplies—as well as the treatment and use of urban runoff to contaminated groundwater from contaminated industrial sites as water supplies.
Sedlak also received the Fulbright Specialist Award for New Zealand in 2019 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2016, one of the highest honors given to an engineer, among other notable achievements. Sedlak is also the author of "Water 4.0", a book that examines the ways we can gain insight into current water issues by analyzing the history of urban water systems.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Christopher Gobler, Director, Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Expert Panelists:
Brian Schneider, Program Development Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey
Lisa W. Ott, President & CEO, North Shore Land Alliance
Kevin McDonald, Long Island Senior Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy
Patti Wood, Executive Director, Grassroots Environmental Education
Nancy Seligson, former Town Supervisor for the Town of Mamaroneck
Derek Betts, District Manager, Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District
Justin Jobin, Environmental Scientist at Coastal Wastewater Solutions
Thomas Murphy, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement, Village of East Hills
Rusty Schmidt, Landscape Architect at Nelson Pope and Voorhis
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
In recent years, communities across NY and the nation have discovered their drinking water sources are contaminated with harmful PFAS chemicals. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent, meaning they build up in our bodies and don’t break down in the environment. New science indicates that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in our drinking water and we must do more to protect public health from this growing threat.
New York State is considering legislation that will ban the use of PFAS chemicals in a host of everyday products. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. Take action today and urge your elected representatives to support passage of this critical legislation today!
What is PFAS and where does it come from?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products for many decades, due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties. PFAS is used in cookware, packaging, textiles, furniture, adhesives, paint, and numerous other products. According to the U.S. EPA, there are 3,500 industrial sites across New York State that may be handling or using PFAS chemicals.
PFAS Threatens our Health
Studies show that human exposure to PFAS is widespread—it’s estimated that 98% of people in the U.S. have PFAS compounds in their blood. Exposure to PFAS can lead to higher rates of kidney and testicular cancer, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects and decreased immune response in children, and other adverse health impacts.
PFAS Pollutes our Environment and Drinking Water
Due to widespread use of PFAS chemicals in numerous products and industries, PFAS chemicals have become ubiquitous in the environment, including our soil, air, and drinking water. Testing has revealed some levels of PFAS in approximately 50% of public water systems across NYS, with about 250 water systems exceeding NY’s drinking water standards for two PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS. EPA recently adopted stronger drinking water standards for several PFAS chemicals, which will cause an estimated 296 additional communities across NYS to exceed standards and have to treat drinking water for these harmful chemicals.
It’s Time to Turn Off the Tap to PFAS!
As we make important progress to remove PFAS from our drinking water, it does not make sense to continue using more PFAS and allow more contamination to occur! New York must get serious about limiting further PFAS contamination by banning unnecessary uses of PFAS in products. New York has already enacted laws to limit PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, carpets, and apparel; however, there are numerous other products that continue to use PFAS unnecessarily.
Legislation has been introduced in New York State (A.3556C/S.5648C) that bans the sale of PFAS in a host of everyday products—textile articles, rugs, fabric treatments, cookware, ski waxes, architectural paints, children’s products, anti-fogging sprays and wipes, dental floss, and cleaning products, beginning in 2026. This bill targets products in common use for which there are ample alternatives, and in most cases, restrictions already exist in other states or countries. Email your elected representatives and urge them to support a ban on PFAS in everyday products now!
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
April 19 (Reuters) – A New York state agency on Friday said it had failed to reach final contract agreements with the developers of three major offshore wind projects, blaming a decision by General Electric Vernova to scrap plans for a new turbine.
The projects affected include Attentive Energy One, being developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light & Power and Corio Generation, Community Offshore Wind, backed by RWE and National Grid Ventures, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said in a statement. Excelsior Wind, being developed by Vineyard Offshore, is also affected, it said.
ALBANY, New York — New York’s signature offshore wind projects meant to boost confidence in the industry are being scrapped, a major hit to the industry in the state and the nation.
All Long Islanders agree about the need for clean water [“Clean-water funding is crucial in state budget,” Opinion, March 24]. Nitrogen pollution from sewage is causing water quality impairments, fish kills and harmful algal blooms. Contaminants poses a significant threat to our drinking water and health. The good news is that we know how to solve these problems, but we need money.
Proposed cut is rejected with final budget providing full funding at $500 million for clean water infrastructure projects
CCE applauds elected leaders for securing vital funding that helps to provide safe and affordable drinking water to New York’s communities
For immediate release: April 19, 2024
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY— Today CCE is celebrating the allocation of $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) included in the final 2024-25 state budget. The CWIA program allows communities to upgrade sewers and septic systems, fix drinking water pipes, install treatment technology for emerging contaminants, protect source water, and more. Since 2017, New York has provided $5 billion for this important program, which has provided significant results for New York’s environment and economy. While previous budgets have allocated $500 million per year for clean water, Governor Hochul originally proposed $250 million in her SFY 2024-25 Executive Budget proposal. The Senate and Assembly budgets both proposed to restore the funding for this important program, and $500 million for the CWIA was ultimately included in the final budget.
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), issued the following statement:
“Citizens Campaign for the Environment is thrilled that Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding, which helps protect our water from its source to our taps, was restored in this year’s budget. New York has made significant investments in clean water in recent years, but it’s only a drop in the bucket of the $80 billion needed to upgrade aging wastewater and drinking water infrastructure over 20 years. Our communities continue to struggle with nitrogen pollution and harmful algal blooms caused by aging sewage infrastructure, sink holes and water main breaks, lead pipes, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. Ignoring these problems does not make them go away. It will only become more expensive over time while putting our environment and public health at greater risk.
Robust funding in recent years has helped to advance numerous successful clean water projects, and we are thrilled to see funding restored in this year’s budget, which will allow communities to continue progress toward safe and affordable drinking water for all New Yorkers. CCE thanks environmental champions Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Glick, along with Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart Cousins, and Governor Hochul for working to restore this critical funding in the final budget.”
1,4-dioxane is a contaminant of concern in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This chemical, referred to as a "forever chemical," has been used in industrial practices and common household products including shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, baby products, and dish soaps. The EPA classifies 1,4-dioxane as a likely carcinogen, but its effects on public health are still not well known. Unfortunately, Long Island had some of the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water in the nation.
The Yale Superfund Research Center is in the initial phase of investigating 1,4-dioxane exposure on human health in Long Island communities. CCE has partnered with Yale Superfund Research Center in a 1,4-dioxane health study for Long Island residents. This critical study seeks to engage Long Island residents to participate in this drinking water and blood sample health study.
To learn more about this groundbreaking study, please join our community meeting with the Yale Superfund Research Center.
When: Monday, April 22, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Where: Hicksville Public Library, 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
