Despite widespread PFAS contamination on Long Island, SCWA delivers treated water with no PFOA or PFOS above federal limits.
The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that all treated water it supplies to customers is in full compliance with the federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS—six years ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The New York Department of State has announced the availability of $1.5 million in grants to protect, preserve, and restore the South Shore Estuary Reserve on Long Island. The funding, timed to coincide with World Oceans Month, supports the implementation of the recently adopted $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan.
Targeted to municipalities, nonprofits and academic institutions, the grants aim to improve shoreline resiliency, enhance water quality, and expand public access to water-based recreation.
Funding Implements Strategies to Increase Shoreline Resiliency, Water Quality and Recreational Accessibility for Long Island Residents
Funding Coincides With and Celebrates World Oceans Month
In celebration of World Oceans Month, the New York Department of State today announced the availability of $1.5 million in funding through the South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Local Assistance Grants Program. The grants will help communities advance SSER priorities, including improved water quality, shoreline resiliency, habitat health, accessible water-based recreation and tourism, environmental education and economic development. The Program is the first step in the implementation of the $3.5 million SSER Strategic Investment Plan to guide future funding opportunities.
While the Lawrence Aviation Industries site in Port Jefferson Station is clean and cleared from the superfund registry, the atmosphere around the prospective rail yard is murkier than ever.
The MTA has yet to secure the 40 acres allocated to the rail yard, which would be crucial to electrifying the Port Jefferson line. As the June 30 deadline approaches, local officials and environmental leaders met at the site on June 2 to urge the MTA to sign and for Governor Kathy Hochul to apply further pressure. Brookhaven bought 40 acres to preserve as open space and the county bought the other 40 acres to use as a solar farm.
Please join CCE and our partners in the Coastal Watershed Network, including The Nature Conservancy and Save the Sound, for an educational webinar to kick-off Plastic-Free July. The free webinar will address plastic pollution on the shoreline and in our oceans, microplastics in our soils and food system, and the use of visual art to communicate the issue of plastic waste.
We look forward to hearing from experts in our region about this pervasive issue impacting the environment and public health. There will be a discussion at the end and an opportunity to get your questions answered!
When: Tuesday, July 8, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom, register here.
Speakers:
Dr. Katharine Owens, Professor at University of Hartford, National Geographic Explorer and Fulbright Nehru Fellow
Dr. Jason White, Professor at Yale School of Public Health, Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
New York State has awarded another $5 million grant to the Port Washington Water District to build a granular activated carbon treatment system designed to remove PFOA and PFOS contamination from another of its wells.
The grant will help the water district, which serves about 9,400 households, provide “water that meets or exceeds any standard out there” for removing PFOA and PFOS chemicals, district superintendent Paul Prignano said in an interview.
Long Islander Lee Zeldin was thrust into the national spotlight with his nomination by President Donald Trump to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Trump said: “I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor.”
New legislation would establish New York State Road Salt Reduction Council and Citizen Advisory Committee to protect water, health, and communities
A coalition of environmental, municipal, and public health advocates is calling for swift passage of legislation (A.4481-A/S.6976-A) to establish a New York State Road Salt Reduction Council and Citizen Advisory Committee. This body would be tasked with implementing the recommendations published by the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force in 2023. The Senate passed a version of this bill in 2024, and is poised to pass the bill once again.
As the Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee reported, the “GOP Tax Scam” cuts nearly $1 trillion from the health care system – effectively chipping away if not repealing entirely the Affordable Care Act - eliminating health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans including 1.5 million New Yorkers.
Highlights the need for action against HABs to protect New York State’s water bodies
Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and State Senator Rachel May hosted a public hearing on May 21 here at the State Capitol to evaluate the efficacy of New York State’s monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and to examine potential legislative solutions.
LONG BEACH, NY — The Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project will go forward off the southern coast of Long Beach and Jones Beach.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Burgum for lifting the stop-work order on Empire Wind 1 which will allow this transformative clean energy project to move forward as planned," said Doreen Harris, President and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Please join Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Operation SPLASH and The Nature Conservancy for an important update on the Bay Park Conveyance Project! Nassau County, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Veolia will present on the status of the project at the annual Operation SPLASH meeting on Tuesday, July 1st at 7:30 pm at Operation Splash headquarters in Freeport.
We have been working hard to restore the Western Bays water quality, and it is working! The Bay Park Conveyance Project is a monumental effort led by New York State and Nassau County that has created an aqueduct under Sunrise Highway to connect the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant and Long Beach Sewage Treatment Plant to an existing ocean outfall pipe at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant. This would reroute treated sewage from entering into Reynolds Channel and divert it into the ocean instead. This project is nearly complete and is in the final stages! In addition, upgrades to Bay Park have been underway and are helping to improve water quality in the bays.
We are excited to hear from project leaders and experts who will provide an overview on the Bay Park Conveyance Project and the upgrades. There will be a panel discussion at the end to answer your important questions!
When:
Tuesday, July 1st, 7:30pm -9:00pm
Where:
Operation Splash
202 Woodcleft Ave Freeport NY 11520
Speakers:
NYS Senator Siela Bynoe (invited)
Michael Kwaschyn, Commissioner, Nassau County DPW (invited)
Andy Fera, NYS DEC
Vince Desiderio, Veolia
Delphine Lannel, Veolia
Lauren Sternberg, Veolia
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, CCE
Robert Weltner, Executive Director, Operation Splash
Carl Lobue, Senior Marine Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
We are thrilled to kick off Once Finger Lakes’ Toast for a Cause series on Sunday, June 22nd — and we want you to join us!
Enjoy an afternoon of wine, craft beverages, great food, and gorgeous views while supporting our work to protect New York’s water, air, and communities. ONCE Finger Lakes will generously donate 10% of the day’s sales to CCE, helping us continue to fight for clean water, address toxic chemicals, combat climate change, and advance strong environmental policies.
A CCE representative will be on-site to share our mission and how you can get involved. So, grab a glass, meet fellow supporters, and raise a toast to a healthier future!
What’s on tap at Once Finger Lakes?
🍷 40 wines by the glass or tasting pour
🍺 12 local craft beers and ciders on draft
🥃 Whiskey & bourbon tastings and flights
🧀 Sharing boards with local cheeses & charcuterie
🌮 La Monarka’s Mexican Street Tacos
🛍 Take-home bottles, cans, & merch
🌊 Stunning Seneca Lake views
📍 Just 13 minutes from Geneva or Penn Yan!
Sunday, June 22 | 11:00am – 5:30pm
ONCE Finger Lakes, 655 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
A heartfelt thank you to ONCE Finger Lakes for supporting CCE, local nonprofits, and our communities — one toast at a time.
Come raise a glass for the environment. We can’t wait to see you there!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org, 516-390-7150
Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org,716-472-4078
Albany, NY—The New York State Assembly wrapped up their 2025 legislative session late last night, with Speaker Carl Heastie failing to allow major environmental bills the opportunity for a floor vote. After passing in the NYS Senate for the second year in a row, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A.1749) and a Ban on PFAS in Household Products (A.7738) both died in the Assembly without a vote.
In response to the Assembly inaction, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), issued the following statement:
“Tragically, once again, Speaker Heastie failed to allow votes on critical environmental legislation, despite having strong support from the public and from within the legislature. We had the votes to pass both bills in the Assembly, what we lack is the political will from its leadership. When it comes to transformative environmental legislation, time and time again, Speaker Heastie has shown that he will crumble in the face of industry pressure.
The time to act on the state’s solid waste and PFAS “forever chemical” crises is yesterday. The longer we wait, the worse the problems will get, and the more expensive the solutions will become. Our environment, health, and economy will needlessly suffer due to this inaction. Excessive plastic waste will continue to pollute our communities and overwhelm municipal budgets. Toxic PFAS chemicals will continue to contaminate our drinking water, requiring more communities to install expensive drinking water treatment technology.
At a time when the federal government is abdicating its responsibility to protect public health and the environment, New York State’s leadership is needed more than ever. Regrettably, Speaker Heastie’s inaction is failing to meet the moment. New York is not only failing to lead, it is falling behind several other states that have already passed similar legislation.
We are grateful to Assemblymember Glick’s steadfast advocacy and unwavering commitment to advancing these bills in the Assembly. We look forward to working with Assemblywoman Glick, along with our champion in the Senate, Senator Pete Harckham, to advance these critical issues in the future.”
###
The administration reversed course and will allow the Empire Wind project to proceed after lobbying by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Norwegian energy firm Equinor.
The Trump administration lifted the stop-work order on a major wind farm off the coast of New York on Monday, according to a statement by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), following direct appeals she made to the president.
Lights, Camera, Action . . . Long Island Sound! A new docuseries, “Tackling Pollution in Long Island Sound,” will soon be available for viewing by the public at The Nature Conservancy's Connecticut YouTube channel. Two of the series’ four videos premiered in March at the 2025 Long Island Sound Summit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of 10 environmental groups filed a legal brief today in support of an effort by states and industry to overturn the Trump administration’s government-wide ban on new wind energy projects.
