A rare pine barrens forest in Brentwood is now permanently protected, following a major conservation agreement between New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Climate Change “Communi-TEA” Meetings
Join us as we spill the “TEA” on climate change!
Long Island is already experiencing the effects of climate change, from rising temperatures, flooding, extreme weather and much more. It’s more important, now more than ever, to get the facts and hear the truth!
We will deliver an informative, science-based presentation in which we will dive into local environmental issues and explore the inspiring work happening across Long Island to transition to renewable energy and strengthen our climate resiliency. We will conclude with a community Q+A discussion.
These events are FREE and open to the public. Register here.
Dates and Locations:
August 12 @ 6:30pm | Centereach
Middle Country Public Library
101 Eastwood Blvd
Centereach, NY 11720
August 21 @ 6:30pm | Brentwood
Brentwood Public Library
34 Second Ave
Brentwood, NY 11717
November 18 @ 7:00pm | East Northport
Elwood Public Library
1929 E. Jericho Turnpike
East Northport, NY 11731
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
Highlights and Happenings: July 2025
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.
Highlights
Victory! Governor Hochul Signs Clean Water Septic System Bill into Law
In July, we joined Governor Kathy Hochul as she signed the Clean Water Septic System bill into law. This will make upgrading antiquated septic systems and cesspools to new, less polluting systems easier and more affordable for homeowners. Homeowners will be able to get state grants of up to $25,000 for a new, advanced system that will help keep our waterways free from nitrogen and other pollutants. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this important piece of legislation. We also thank Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay and Senator Pete Harckham for sponsoring this bill and leading the charge for clean water across New York State!
Toxic Site Clean Up is Complete!
Last month, we joined the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Lefton and elected officials to celebrate the completed environmental cleanup of the Lawrence Aviation Industries Superfund Site, located in Port Jefferson Station, Long Island. The old industrial manufacturing facility produced titanium sheet metal and released contamination for more than 40 years. We look forward to seeing these 120 acres of land transformed for productive uses in the future!
Happenings
Visit to D.C. to Protect Long Island Sound
Each year, we head down to DC for our Long Island Sound Education Day with our coalition partners to talk about the issues facing this Estuary of National Significance. This year we had meetings with CT and NY federal leaders including Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Senator Schumer and U.S. Representatives Courtney, DeLauro, Himes, Suozzi, LaLota and Latimer. We also were able to secure a meeting with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. We discussed the need to continue the efforts to restore and protect LI Sound.
Cleaner waters, robust fish populations, opening shellfish beds, and reduced hypoxia all demonstrate our success so far, but far more needs to be done to address climate change and combat nitrogen pollution. Thanks to all our LI Sound protection partners for a very productive DC trip.
Demanding Better from Micron’s Semiconductor Plant in CNY
There is a proposed Micron semiconductor facility currently undergoing environmental review in Onondaga County, and we have some serious concerns. In July, we testified about our concerns about the facility’s planned use of PFAS chemicals and the proposed treatment of these toxic chemicals, which pose significant risks to drinking water, public health, and the environment. We also criticized the destruction of ecologically valuable wetlands and lack of meaningful mitigation measures, as well as the failure to adequately address impacts to water quality in this water-rich region. Now, we need your help to amplify these concerns by submitting your own public comment! Submit your comment by August 11th.
Fighting for our National Estuaries
CT and NY share the Long Island Sound and we all work together to protect this magnificent water body. In New York State there are 3 of the 28 Estuaries of National significance, including the Long Island Sound Estuary, Peconic Bay Estuary, and NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. Estuaries are a nursery ground for our oceans; they support thriving fisheries, clean water, and our local economies through recreation and tourism. Unfortunately, the President’s Executive Budget proposed cuts to the National Estuary Program, which supports these critical waterways. In July, we joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and our advocacy partners in calling on the President to fully fund the National Estuary Program (NEP) and protect these vital ecosystems.
Plastic-Free July
We just celebrated Plastic-Free July! We joined The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut and Save the Sound to host an educational webinar about plastic pollution on the shoreline and in our oceans, microplastics and in our food system, and using visual art to communicate about waste. We had two excellent speakers - Dr. Katherine Owens from University of Hartford and Dr. Jason White from the Yale University School of Public Health. Thanks to all our NY and CT friends who joined. If you missed it, you can check it out here.
NYS Environmental Bond Act Roundtable
In November 2022, NYS voters passed the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act. The Bond Act allocates $4.2 billion to a variety of critical environmental programs and projects across four categories: Water quality improvement, resilient infrastructure restoration and flood risk management, open space land conservation, and climate change mitigation. We held a roundtable with Long Island municipalities and stakeholder groups to hear from NYS DEC’s Chief Resiliency Officer Suzanna Randall, who gave a great presentation and answered questions about potential projects and the application process. Thanks so much to Susanna and all the participants for a very productive discussion to help our local governments access this critical funding!
Be on the Watch for Harmful Algal Blooms
As we start enjoying summer here in New York, 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 NY waterbodies. To learn more about HABs and efforts taken to combat them on Cayuga Lake check out our short video. 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!
Demand a Stronger Environmental Review of Micron’s CHIPS Manufacturing Project!
Micron’s draft plan puts water, health, and climate at risk for all New Yorkers. Call for stronger protections before the August 11th deadline!
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Micron’s proposed semiconductor facility in Onondaga County, NY is available for public comment through August 11th, but it’s lacking critical protections for our water, health, and climate that will impact all New Yorkers.
This is one of the largest industrial projects in New York State history, backed by billions in public subsidies. The Proposed Project—as is—poses serious environmental risks that could impact not only Central New York but communities and waterways across the state. The DEIS fails to adequately address the use of toxic PFAS chemicals, the destruction of over 200 acres of wetlands and streams, and the need for robust renewable energy planning. We need your voice to help demand a stronger, safer plan. Submit your comment before the public comment period ends on August 11!
Background
Micron is proposing a massive semiconductor chip manufacturing campus in Onondaga County, NY, with the promise of job creation and economic growth. However, the current DEIS raises serious concerns:
Toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” will be used extensively in manufacturing, with little commitment to replace them with safer alternatives. These chemicals don’t break down, bioaccumulate in our bodies, and are linked to serious health issues including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental harm.
PFAS-contaminated wastewater from the facility would be discharged into local waterways. The DEIS lacks a clear plan for on-site pretreatment, and local wastewater facilities cannot remove PFAS, putting our rivers, lakes, and drinking water at risk.
Over 200 acres of wetlands and thousands of feet of streams would be permanently filled and destroyed. Wetlands are essential for flood control, wildlife habitat, and protecting drinking water sources yet Micron’s current mitigation plan is insufficient and fails to meaningfully compensate for this extensive loss of high value wetlands.
The facility would require massive amounts of energy—increasing energy demand by 10% statewide—but offers only a minimal amount of on-site solar generation. It’s suggested the facility would rely on new or “advanced” nuclear power to meet its energy needs—an option that is too costly, too slow, and too risky.
What Needs to Change
We’re calling on the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) to strengthen the final Environmental Impact Statement by requiring:
A phase-out of PFAS chemicals wherever safer alternatives exist, and full transparency around their use;
On-site pretreatment of wastewater to remove PFAS to the lowest technically achievable levels before discharge;
Stronger wetland protections, including a scientifically supported mitigation plan with at least a 10-to-1 replacement ratio for destroyed wetlands and streams;
A real clean energy commitment, including solar, geothermal, and battery storage—not unproven new nuclear power.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
Superfund cleanup of Long Island aviation site finally concludes
A former aviation facility in Long Island that had contaminated groundwater and nearby drinking wells is ready for redevelopment following a decades-long cleanup, state environmental officials said Wednesday.
A $50 million superfund cleanup successfully restored nearly all of the 125-acre tract of land where Lawrence Aviation Industries once manufactured titanium sheet metal in Suffolk County.
DEC Announces Cleanup Milestone for Lawrence Aviation Superfund Site on Long Island
Portion of Site Recommended for Removal from State’s Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that the cleanup of the former Lawrence Aviation Industries site has reached a significant milestone in the removal of contamination from the site of the former industrial manufacturing facility in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County. The announcement was made during a visit by the Commissioner and local officials to the long-vacant industrial site on Long Island. Following cleanup and restoration efforts, environmental monitoring shows the site has achieved removal criteria to delist portion of the site from the Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites list (State Superfund Registry). DEC is seeking public review and comment on its determination that most of the site no longer requires further cleanup under the State Superfund (SSF) program.
DEC Announces New 43-Acre Conservation Easement to Preserve Open Space in Brentwood
Easement Permanently Protects Globally Rare Pine Barrens Ecosystem
Advances New York’s ‘30 x 30’ Open Space Protection Goals and Helps Connect New Yorkers in Environmental Justice Communities to the Outdoors
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the permanent protection of more than 43 acres of globally rare pine barrens owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, town of Islip. DEC acquired a conservation easement from the Sisters and will jointly manage the property with them for groundwater an
Long Island Power Authority gets new leader at ‘pivotal’ time
Environmentalists, labor leaders, government officials and solar energy companies all welcomed the appointment of Carrie Meek Gallagher to lead the Long Island Power Authority.
It would probably be difficult to imagine someone with a background better suited to leading LIPA than Gallagher, who takes the helm on July 7. She has more than 25 years of experience in public service, energy regulation and environmental policy — including time monitoring LIPA.
CCE Director Esposito discusses environment and health at PJS-Terryville Civic meeting
The June 24 Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Civic Association meeting at Comsewogue Library saw Adrienne Esposito, the executive director for the Suffolk based CCE (Citizens Campaign for the Environment), featured as a special guest. Esposito touched on a number of topics related to health, the environment and local infrastructure and in particular advocated for three bills in the state senate and assembly.
Why Is It So Hard for New York to Pass Climate Bills?
Environmentalists increasingly blame Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — who’s firing back.
Tensions are still simmering among state lawmakers and advocates after the Assembly closed its 2025 session last week without passing any of this year’s flagship climate and environmental bills.
Legislators shelved measures to cut packaging waste, transition homes off fossil fuels, and ban toxic “forever chemicals” from everyday products. Each measure had passed the Senate, and an Assembly vote was the final hurdle. But most of them never came to a vote.
MTA granted another extension for Lawrence Aviation Industries site purchase
The MTA has requested and received another extension to complete its $10 purchase of a 40-acre Port Jefferson Station property for a future LIRR train station, Suffolk County officials said Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had faced a June 30 deadline to close on the deal after two previous deadlines had passed in June and December last year.
Environmentalists wary as business, labor praise Hochul’s nuclear plan
Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s Clean Water Septic System Bill passes Legislature unanimously
Legislation Expands Access to Modern Septic Systems, Protecting Groundwater and Waterways Across New York
In a major environmental and affordability win, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay announced the unanimous passage of her legislation (A8807/S8241-A) in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill updates the reimbursement structure of the New York State Septic System Replacement Fund, making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to upgrade to advanced septic systems that significantly reduce water pollution, according to a press release.
Federal Clean Water Programs Facing 90% Cut
Tell Congress to Stand Up for Clean Water and Oppose Proposed Cuts!
New York and Connecticut’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and failing, putting our economy, health, and environment at risk. Regrettably, the President has proposed to slash critical clean water infrastructure programs by nearly 90%, which if adopted, would severely worsen NY and CT’s clean water challenges. Significant funding cuts would hamper our ability to stop sewage overflows, treat drinking water for toxic emerging contaminants, make drinking water affordable to all, and create good-paying jobs.
While the administration has proposed massive cuts, Congress has the power to fully fund these programs in the federal budget. We need NY and CT’s Congressional Delegations to reject these draconian cuts and protect clean water funding! Contact your two U.S. Senators and Representative in the U.S. House today and urge them to support full clean water funding!
BACKGROUND
A look at New York and Connecticut’s clean water challenges:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are at least 494,000 lead drinking water service lines in New York and over 146,500 in CT. Lead is a toxic heavy metal—there is no safe level of exposure to lead in drinking water, especially for infants and children. All lead pipes must be replaced.
According to reports generated by New York’s Sewage Pollution Right to Know law, there are 5 overflows of raw or partially treated sewage into New York waters every day. According to reports generated by Connecticut’s Sewage Right-to-Know law, approximately 2.8 billion gallons of raw or partially treated sewage were discharged into waterways in a single year.
Across the nation, there is a water main break every two minutes, and an estimated six billion gallons of treated water is lost each day. Water main breaks not only threaten access to clean drinking water, but also close schools and businesses, cause sink holes that damage roads, and hurt local economies.
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave New York and Connecticut’s drinking water infrastructure and wastewater infrastructure grades of C- and D+, and C and C-, respectively.
While repairing and replacing New York and Connecticut’s clean water infrastructure is imperative, it is also costly. The EPA conservatively estimates that it will cost nearly $90 billion and $12 billion to upgrade NY and CT’s wastewater and drinking infrastructure over 20 years, respectively.
Federal Clean Water Infrastructure Programs are Essential to Protecting Clean Water
Congress created the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) in 1990 for the construction and repair of sewage infrastructure, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) in 1996 to upgrade drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe water at the tap. Since the inception of each program, New York State has financed $37.1 billion in CWSRF projects and $10.1 billion in DWSRF projects. Connecticut has financed approximately $4.6 billion in CWSRF projects and $488 million in DWSRF projects. These programs have helped to support the construction of thousands of projects across NY and CT that have reduced harmful sewage overflows, protected drinking water from toxic contaminants, created thousands of good-paying jobs, and more!
President Proposes Massive Cuts to both Clean Water Programs
The President recently issued his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. He has proposed draconian cuts to both programs, which would nearly eliminate them. His budget request includes a:
90.5% cut to the CWSRF ($1,483,861,000 cut)
86.7% cut to the DWSRF ($976,101,000 cut)
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE
Turn Off the Tap to Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Now!
Photo by Netaly Reshef: https://www.pexels.com/photo/kitchen-cookware-piled-up-on-brown-wooden-rack-187083/
New York State Must Ban PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Everyday Products
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.
In the 2025 NYS legislative session, the New York State legislature introduced legislation that would ban the use of PFAS chemicals 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. 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. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. While the NYS Senate passed this important legislation, the NYS Assembly failed to act. We will continue to work to ban PFAS in consumer products in the 2026 legislative session.
Background
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 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.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
PROTECT HORSESHOE CRABS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
Urge Governor Hochul to Sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into Law!
Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Sadly, the species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations have been depleted largely due to commercial fishermen who catch them and chop them up for use as bait. Horseshoe crabs are an essential species in the food web—a decline in their population is harming the ecosystem and threatening bird species that depend upon the crabs for food. Currently, New York is woefully lagging in horseshoe crab protection.
In order to save the horseshoe crab, and the species that depend upon them, the New York State Legislature introduced a bill to ban harvesting of horseshoe crabs. The NYS Senate and Assembly passed this critical legislation during the 2025 legislative session. Next, the bill will be delivered to the Governor’s desk—email Governor Hochul today and urge her to sign this important bill into law!
Background
Why are Horseshoe Crabs Important?
Horseshoe Crabs are an integral part of the ecosystem and act as a keystone species in the food web. Each spring, horseshoe crabs travel from deep Atlantic waters to the shore for their breeding season. Beaches are stormed with mating horseshoe crabs, with females laying tens of thousands of eggs at a time in clusters buried under the sand. Every year, horseshoe crabs lay their eggs on beaches at full and new moon high tides from April to June.
Millions of shorebirds stop along our Atlantic beaches to nourish themselves on horseshoe crab eggs. These eggs are the single most important food source for migrating shorebirds, including threatened birds, such as the Red Knot. Experts predict that the Red Knot may become extinct in the coming years, unless more protective measures are undertaken to protect horseshoe crabs. Furthermore, sharks, sea turtles, sportfish and other species also feed on horseshoe crabs, making them a critical component of the food web.
Biomedical Uses
The blood of horseshoe crabs contains a critical component, Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate, known as LAL. This unique compound clots when exposed to bacteria or bacterial endotoxins. Some medical equipment and devices such as IV tubing are also tested with LAL. Currently, scientists have found synthetic compounds that reproduce LAL, which are now being used by Pfizer, Eli Lilly and other leading pharmaceutical companies. There have been NO permits issued in over a decade for the harvesting of horseshoe crabs for medical uses in NY waters. All the permitted harvesting of horseshoe crabs is for fishing, not biomedical purposes. However, as other states prohibit taking for biomedical uses, pressure to permit the practice may increase in NY if action is not taken to protect horseshoe crabs.
Horseshoe Crabs Under Threat
For decades, horseshoe crabs were looked upon as unimportant to our waters. They are slow to mature and therefore are susceptible to harvesting pressures. Horseshoe crabs were once used as fertilizer and livestock feed, which almost led to their populations being wiped out in the 1940s. In the 1970s, the populations recovered only to see resurgence in their use as bait for eel, conch, and whelk fisheries. The horseshoe crabs are chopped up and used as bait by commercial fisherman.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reported horseshoe crab stocks have been in decline for at least 15 years. Horseshoe crab populations were rated as “good” in 2009 but declined to “poor” in 2019. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed horseshoe crabs as vulnerable to local extinction in our region. The importance of horseshoe crabs to our ecosystem and the growing threat to the survival of the species had led other states, including Delaware, Connecticut, and New Jersey, to implement policies banning the taking of horseshoe crabs.
New York State Needs a Ban on Horseshoe Crab Harvesting
This year, the New York State Senate and Assembly introduced and passed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S.4289 / A.4997), which prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical uses. This legislation will allow New York to restore the population of horseshoe crabs and ensure the survival of this species for future generations. Neighboring states, including Connecticut, have already enacted similar legislation. It is time for NY to step up and ban the harvesting of horseshoe crabs—Governor Hochul must sign this important bill into law!
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of us at CCE
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.
To help address this solid waste crisis, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464/A.1749) has been introduced in the NYS Legislature. 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 over $300 million annually!
While the NYS Senate passed the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act in 2025, the NYS Assembly failed to follow suit. We will work to advance this critical policy in the 2026 NYS legislative session.
Resources
Recording of the Packaging Waste Reduction Forum: This one-hour zoom presentation (held 4/10/25) includes PRRIA bill sponsors and expert panelists discussing the importance of passing PRRIA and answering frequently asked questions about the policy. View the PowerPoint Presentation from the Forum here.
Frequently Asked Questions: Two-page fact sheet addresses frequently asked questions about PRRIA and the experience of packaging EPR policies around the globe
Studies demonstrating that packaging EPR policies have not had any discernable impact on the price of packaged consumer goods:
BACKGROUND
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, paper, 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 $300 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 $300 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
Protect Drinking Water from Dangerous “Forever Chemicals”
In recent years, many communities across New York State 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 York State has taken some important steps to address PFAS, however, new science indicates that we must do more in order to protect public health from this growing threat!
What is PFAS?
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, clothing, furniture, adhesives, paint, firefighting foam, artificial turf, and 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 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 PFAS in water sources in hundreds of communities across New York State, from Western New York to Long Island.
PFAS Threatens our Health
Studies show that human exposure to PFAS is widespread and that nearly all people in the United States have some 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.
EPA Adopts Strong National Drinking Water Standards, But is Now Moving to Roll them Back
In 2024, after establishing that there is no safe level of exposure to certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water, the U.S. EPA finalized a rule to establish the first nationwide enforceable limits on the amount of six highly toxic PFAS chemicals allowed in drinking water. For PFOA and PFOS, EPA adopted individual drinking water limits (known as Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) per chemical. This is much stronger than New York’s current drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, which were set at 10 ppt in 2020.
The EPA also established MCLs of 10 ppt for PFHXS, PFNA and Gen X; and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, Gen X and PFBS (designed to address those chemicals’ combined effects as a mixture). While we want to ultimately eliminate PFAS in drinking water, EPA’s standards represent the strongest standards that are currently technically feasible.
In 2025, the EPA, under a new federal administration, indicated that they intend to roll the PFAS drinking water standards back. The EPA announced its intentions to delay implementation of its drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS back an additional two years and to rescind and reconsider the drinking water standards for the four additional PFAS chemicals.
Peer-reviewed science has made clear that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in drinking water, and delays in taking action will put public health at risk to serious health impacts, including cancer. According to recent analysis by the Environmental Working Group, rolling back these standards would put at least 1.3 million New Yorkers, the majority of whom are on Long Island, at risk to higher levels of dangerous PFAS chemicals in their drinking water. CCE continues to advocate that the EPA moves forward with implementation of the drinking water standards it established in 2024.
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. Learn more about our campaign to ban PFAS in a range of household products in New York State.
7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement
Plan to convey part of Kings Point Park for community center parking lot dies in Albany
A proposal to alienate 2.48 acres of Kings Point Park to create a parking lot for a community center died in the State Assembly on Tuesday.
The bill, proposed by Assemb. Daniel Norber (R-Great Neck), did not make it to the floor before the legislative session ended Tuesday. A companion bill proposed by State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) passed the Senate on Friday.
