Clean Water and Septic System Survey

Attention North Shore Long Island Residents—Look Out for an Important Survey in the Mail!

Beginning in Mid-March, randomly selected single-family households, who reside within the Long Island Sound Watershed, will receive mailed Invitation letters to participate in an important research survey about clean water and septic systems.

This research is being led by Dr. Jamie Vaudrey at the University of Connecticut, in partnership with Clark University, under a grant from the Long Island Sound Partnership. 

The goal of this study is to help local and state agencies better understand how homeowners maintain their septic systems and gather input on potential voluntary incentive programs to support upgrades that better protect drinking water, as well as Long Island’s bays, beaches, and harbors. 

Because this research will conduct randomized sampling, only households that receive a mailed invitation letter should complete the survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes, participation is voluntary, and all responses are confidential. 

We strongly encourage you to participate as your response will help inform local and state decision-making around future clean water policies and programs. 

Thank you for using your voice!

Sincerely,

All of Us at CCE

Turn Off the Tap to Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Now!

New York State Must Ban PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Everyday Products

In recent years, communities across NY, CT, 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 2026 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, 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. Connecticut and other states have already passed similar laws. The use of PFAS in these products is unnecessary, contributes to harmful PFAS pollution, and threatens public health. The NYS Senate has passed the bill with strong bipartisan support; however, the NYS Assembly still needs to act. Email your NYS Assemblymember and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today and urge them to pass this important legislation!

 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 425 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

Lunch & Learn: PFAS and Produce on Long Island

Want to know more about the vegetables you may be eating? Get informed on emerging scientific research by joining our webinar on March 5th!

Join us for a free, virtual webinar on March 5th at 12pm to learn about the latest scientific findings from our collaborative study with Stony Brook University, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Together, we examined whether PFAS chemicals were detected in locally grown vegetables on Long Island and what these results could mean for our health.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of toxic chemicals that have been used for decades by industry and for consumer products due to their non-stick, grease-resistant and waterproof properties.  Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS build up in our bodies and don’t readily break down in the environment. They are linked to many types of cancers, higher cholesterol levels, thyroid problems, developmental effects in children, and other serious health effects. 

While regulatory efforts have largely focused on drinking water standards and product bans, emerging research highlights the need to evaluate PFAS exposure throughout our local food supply.

Stay informed on this emerging scientific research by joining our free virtual webinar on March 5th!

PFAS and Produce on Long Island

DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2026

TIME: 12pm – 1pm 

WHERE: Via Zoom – register here

WHO:

• Kyla Bennet, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)

• Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

• Dr. Lokesh Padhye, Stony Brook University

• Dr. Steven Lasee, Lasee Research & Consulting

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Stop-Work Orders Were Lifted, Once Again, on Empire and Sunrise Wind Farms

Thank Congressman Garbarino, Congressman LaLota, and Governor Hochul for Opposing the Trump Administration’s Halt on Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind! 

Now we need to ensure these projects are completed

In December, the Trump Administration abruptly halted construction on five offshore wind projects, including Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind.  Empire Wind is being built off the coast of Long Beach and will power 500,000 homes in NYC. Sunrise Wind is being built off the coast of Montauk and will power 600,000 Long Island homes. These projects are already under construction, creating significant investments in local communities and thousands of union jobs in support of the growing “wind-ustry” in NY. They will also allow us to transition off polluting fossil fuel plants and improve air quality in our communities. A federal judge has ruled to allow a temporary injunction blocking the stop-work orders on all five projects, including Empire and Sunrise Wind, but the fight is not over and the case is ongoing.

The first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in America, the South Fork Wind Farm, became fully operational in 2024. It is located 35 miles off East Hampton and generates enough power for 70,000 homes for the south fork of LI. It has not only been supplying consistent, clean power to South Fork homes, it has been performing better than expected!

Here in New York, we have seen how offshore wind benefits our environment, economy, and local communities. Representative Nick LaLota, Representative Andrew Garbarino, and Governor Kathy Hochul have stepped up in support of offshore wind and fought to reverse the Administration’s unjustifiable stop work order on these important offshore wind projects. We need to thank them and urge them to keep up the fight and ensure these projects are completed.

Email Governor Hochul & Representatives LaLota and Garbarino. Thank them for their support of the Sunrise and Empire Wind and urge them to keep up the fight to ensure these crucial projects move forward.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
All of us at CCE

Highlights and Happenings: January 2026

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

Pushing for our New York State Budget Priorities Our Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, was in Albany several times in January to fight for our 2026 budget priorities and testify at the Environment and Energy Budget Hearing. We are pushing our state budget to include: 

• $700 million for clean water infrastructure, which will allow us to upgrade antiquated sewer and septic systems, replace lead pipes, remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, and more. 

• At least $425 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, including significant funding to protect our Ocean, Great Lakes and South Shore Estuary Reserve. 

• $1 Billion Sustainable Futures Program, which plays a critical role in reducing climate emissions and saving ratepayers money. 

• The Accelerated Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, which would significantly expand rooftop and community solar power and save ratepayers a billion dollars annually when fully implemented. 

Victory! New York and Connecticut Benefit from Federal Clean Water Funding 
The FY 2026 Federal Budget has been approved, and it includes good news for New York and Connecticut’s waters. The President’s original proposed budget included severe cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which funds construction and repair of sewage infrastructure, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which is used to upgrade drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe water at the tap. We have been pushing our Congressional leaders to fight back against these proposed cuts and thousands of NY and CT residents have reached out to their elected representatives in support of continued clean water funding. In the final budget, the CWSRF and DWSRF maintained funding from last year and avoided any cuts! In addition, the Great Lakes received a $1 million increase ($369 million for 2026) while Long Island Sound received a $500,000 increase ($40.5 million for 2026). These programs fund crucial efforts to restore and protect our vital water resources, and we thank our Congressional leaders in New York and Connecticut for fighting to ensure the SRFs, Great Lakes, and Long Island Sound receive robust funding this year. 

Educating the Next Generation of Stewards to Protect Long Island Sound! 
Great news this month! We received $100,000 in federal funding to continue our educational efforts on Long Island Sound protection. We will be working with the next generation of Long Island Sound stewards to empower communities to protect and restore this Estuary of National Significance. A huge thank you to Senator Schumer for securing this funding and for your continued work to protect the Sound! 

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Happenings

Updates on Our Work to Advance Offshore Wind: 

• Opposing the Trump Administration’s Stop Work Orders on Offshore Wind 
  In December, the Trump Administration decided to halt 5 offshore projects, including Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind in NYS, leaving thousands of workers without jobs just before the holidays. We joined Governor Hochul and our union partners for a massive rally in support of offshore wind and the good, local jobs it creates. We have also been urging our Congressional Leaders to oppose the stop work orders and support offshore wind. Thank you to Governor Hochul, U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Congressional Representatives Garbarino, LaLota, Lawler, and Goldman for standing up for New York’s offshore wind projects! 

• Victory! A federal judge has allowed Empire Wind 1 to resume offshore wind construction. Empire Wind, which will power 500,000 homes in NYC, is back on and construction can continue. This is an exciting win for New York just days after Revolution Wind, an offshore wind project in CT, was granted a preliminary injunction allowing that project to also continue. This is a huge victory for offshore wind and clear sign that President Trump’s ill-advised stop work orders on these offshore wind projects is not legal and should not be allowed to prevent our emerging “wind-ustry” in New York. 

Fighting for Clean Water in Albany 
CCE, as the lead of the NY Clean Water Coalition, joined with our coalition partners as we hosted the 8th Annual Clean Water Legislative Forum in Albany last month. Governor Kathy Hochul and NY Senator Pete Harckham provided great opening remarks, followed by a discussion of urgent water quality challenges and solutions with elected officials and advocates from across New York State. The Clean Water Coalitions 2026 priorities include stopping PFAS pollution at its source (banning products that contain PFAS), replacing lead pipes, upgrading sewer and drinking water infrastructure, protecting source water, and more! 

Whale Tales and Real Facts 2026 
We hosted a fantastic virtual Lunch and Learn forum featuring presentations by whale experts who have decades of experience in tracking individual whales, conducting necropsies on deceased whales, and monitoring emerging threats to whales and other marine mammals. A huge thank you to our presenters: 

• Dr. Artie Kopelman, Co-Founder and President, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island 

• Rob DiGiovanni, Founder and Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society 

• Carl Lobue, New York Oceans Program Director, The Nature Conservancy 

Thank you to the 200+ people who joined and participated in a very informative Q & A. If you missed it, check out the video here. 

We Need Your Voice—New York Must Continue Progress on Offshore Wind!

Photo by John Lines from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/offshore-wind-turbines-against-clear-blue-sky-35007721/

Urge your Representative in Congress to oppose the Trump Administration’s halt on Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind—urge them to help get the wind projects started again! 

Last month, the Trump Administration abruptly and unjustifiably halted construction on five offshore wind projects, including two off New York’s coast—Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind.  Empire Wind is being built off the coast of Long Beach and would power 500,000 homes in NYC. Sunrise Wind is off the coast of Montauk and would power 600,000 Long Island homes. These projects are already under construction, creating significant investments in local communities and thousands of union jobs in support of the growing “wind-ustry” in NY. These projects will also allow us to transition off polluting fossil fuel plants and improve air quality in our communities. 

The first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in America, the South Fork Wind Farm, became fully operational in 2024. It is located 35 miles off East Hampton and generates enough power for 70,000 homes for the south fork of Long Island. It has not only been supplying consistent, clean power to South Fork homes, it has been performing better than expected! 

Here in New York, we have seen how offshore wind benefits our environment, economy, and local communities. We are pushing our Congressional Representatives to step up in support of offshore wind. We need our Congressional leaders to fight to reverse the Administration’s unjustifiable stop work order on these important offshore wind projects.

Email your Representative in the U.S. House today. Tell them you Support Offshore Wind and urge them to oppose halting the Sunrise and Empire Wind and ensure construction can continue on these crucial projects.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE

Whale Tales & Real Facts: 2026 Zoom Forum

Please join us for our free virtual webinar on January 26th and learn more about whale populations and whale data in the summer of 2026

Did you know several species of whales feed, breed, and migrate throughout New York’s waters each year? Join us to learn more about these remarkable marine animals and the threats these magnificent mammals face off our coast.

This unique virtual forum will feature whale experts that have decades of experience in tracking individual whales, conducting necropsies on deceased whales, and monitoring emerging threats to whales and other marine mammals.

In 2016 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared an Unusual Mortality Event for Humpback whales, Minke Whales, and North Atlantic Right Whales. These endangered species are highly vulnerable to ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, plastic pollution and climate change. Scientists are closely monitoring whale populations while advancing solutions to better safeguard these important marine animals.

Whale Tales and Real Facts 2026:

DATE: Monday, January 26, 2026
TIME: 12pm – 1pm 
WHERE: Via Zoom – register here
WHO:

• Dr. Artie Kopelman, Co-Founder and President, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island

• Rob DiGiovanni, Founder and Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society

• Carl Lobue, The Nature Conservancy

Thank you for joining us!

Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE