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The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 9.2 million lead pipes are currently used across the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

New maps show progress on NY lead service line replacement

New maps show the extent of New York State's lead pipe replacement program. They demonstrate progress in replacing lead service lines, although the …

Despite a multiyear dredging effort, studies showed forever chemicals are still present in the Hudson River. (Adobe Stock)

NY takes action to remove PFAS from water, products

The state of New York is removing forever chemicals from various places, just as the Environmental Protection Agency issued limits on PFAS in …

In 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichenger revoked the 1953 easement allowing Enbridge's Line 5 to operate. (Earthjustice)

Indigenous leaders come to NY to speak about pipeline impacts

Indigenous community leaders will be in New York addressing the United Nations. They'll be speaking at the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous …

Around 85% of textiles thrown away in the United States end up in landfills or are burned, including unsold clothes. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill holds fashion industry accountable for climate change effects

A New York bill aims to regulate the fashion industry's effects on climate change. The Fashion Act would hold clothing and footwear companies …

More than 250 local waterways in New York have exceeded PFAS levels stipulated by the state. (Natural Resources Defense Council)

NYS Legislature considers bills regulating PFAS

New York's Legislature will take up several bills regarding forever chemicals. The bills would eliminate unnecessary per- and polyfluoroalkyl …

New York State's climate goals would have the state using 70% renewable energy by 2030, and use zero-emission electricity by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

Report: New York won’t meet its 2030 climate goals

Just as New York State prepares for its first offshore wind farm to come online, a new report predicted the state will not meet its climate goals…

A new report found PCB concentrations from 2016, the last year the Hudson River was dredged, have changed little since the dredging began. (Adobe Stock)

Report: EPA’s Hudson River dredging failed

In a new report, a coalition of New York environmental groups said dredging the Hudson River of toxic chemicals has failed. The report by Friends of …

Port Richmond, Staten Island has the highest number of lead/possibly lead service lines (60.67%) in New York City. Conversely, Fresh Meadows in Queens had the lowest rate (20.56%). This comes in spite of the city banning lead-pipe installations in 1961 and use of lead solder in 1987. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill provides insight on location of lead pipes

New York environmental groups want Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill making it easier to know where lead pipes are located. The Lead Pipe Right to …

Decarbonization of buildings goes beyond environmental impacts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported gas stoves can give off nitrogen dioxide, leading to issues for people with asthma and reduced lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (Adobe Stock)

NYS takes steps to keep decarbonization of buildings on track

The state of New York has taken steps to ensure its building decarbonization plan is on track, but more work needs to be done. Earlier this year…

A 2019 law in New York City requires new buildings, new roofs from building enlargement and replacement of an existing building's roof requires installation of a

Proposed bill puts solar on NYC public building roofs

A proposed bill aims to have solar panels placed on the roofs of all public buildings in New York City. The bill's goal is 100 megawatts of solar on …

A new report found elderly Black New Yorkers are particularly vulnerable to health complications from air pollution, and would experience the greatest decrease in mortality rates, compared to Hispanic, Asian and white counterparts. (Kirsten D/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock) The report found elderly Black New Yorkers are particularly vulnerable to health complications from air pollution, and would experience the greatest decrease in mortality rates, compared to Hispanic, Asian and white counterparts. (Kirsten

Report compares ways NY can get cleaner air, help disadvantaged communities

A new report sheds light on the effects of local air quality policies on disadvantaged communities. As New York State works to meet the challenges …

A $27 billion fund managed by the Environmental Protection Agency is designed to help states and local communities construct sustainable green projects to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Elected officials seek to fight climate change in underserved NY communities

Elected officials in New York and across the country are urging state and local governments to use new funding available through the Environmental Pro…

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act allocates $1.2 billion to a slew of climate-related measures, one of which is reducing flood risks, and helping communities brace for climate change-related flooding. (Adobe Stock)

NY Law Requires Disclosure of Property’s Flood Risk

New York is slated to become another state to require disclosing flood-risk information to prospective homeowners. The Legislature passed a law …

In 2017, the Rusty Patched Bumblebee became the first bumblebee in the U.S. to be added to the Endangered Species List. This stems from growing pesticide use and loss of crop diversity, leaving flowering crops available for shorter periods. (Adobe Stock)

NY Activists Ask Governor to Sign Bill Prohibiting Harmful Pesticides

In honor of National Honey Bee Day, New York environmentalists want Gov. Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act. The bill prohibits …

The Inflation Reduction Act invests around $34 billion in New York for large-scale clean energy generation and storage between 2022 and 2023. (Adobe Stock)

NY's Elected Officials Celebrate Anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act

It's been one year since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The sweeping climate legislation has had vast …

An Accountability Framework Initiative and CDP report found 77% of companies surveyed do not have sufficient traceability across their supply chains to meet their climate accountability commitments. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature Passes Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act

The New York state Legislature has passed the Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act, which aims to hold companies contracting with the state …

According to 2021 data from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, 77.5% of people who work in Manhattan's Central Business District use public transportation to commute from New Jersey. (Adobe Stock)

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan to Receive Federal Approval

New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan is slated to receive federal approval in the coming days. The plan calls for a toll on …

According to a 2022 report from NYSERDA, job increases in the clean energy sector made up 2% of total economy wide employment increases in New York. (Adobe Stock)

Green Economy Jobs Boom Across NY, US

By Michelle Ma for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, both D-N.Y., sent a letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission saying Holtec International's sudden announcement shocked the community. They noted it would increase public opposition and distrust in the company.

NYers Seek to Prevent Radioactive Wastewater Dumping

New York lawmakers and environmentalists are working to prevent radioactive wastewater from being dumped into the Hudson River. As part of the …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, adopting new standards for soot can help prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths per year and 270,000 lost workdays per year. It can also yield as much as $43 billion in net health benefits in 2032. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Soot Proposal Not Enough, NY Environmentalists Say

A New York environmental group feels the Environmental Protection Agency's latest regulations on soot in the air do not go far enough. The new …

According to a report from the Rainforest Action Network, 60 of the largest banks funneled a little over $185 Billion into 100 companies doing the most to expand fossil fuels like ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco. (Adobe Stock)

NY Environmentalists Protest Banks Invested in Fossil Fuels

New York environmentalists are protesting banks heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry as part of a national day of action today (Tuesday)…

Some products to come under the purview of a new bill to create transparency with companies contracting with New York State include timber, pulp, paper, palm oil, soy and livestock. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed NYS Legislation Creates Supply-Chain Transparency

New York's State Legislature is considering a bill to ensure that companies contracting with the state don't contribute to tropical deforestation…

Holtec International is also considering dumping 1 million gallons of nuclear waste from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay. (Adobe Stock)

NY Lawmakers Want to Ban Discharging Radioactive Waste

New York lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban radioactive waste from being discharged from the Indian Point Energy Center. This comes as the …

In January 2023, the city of Troy's Public Utilities Department found elevated levels of lead in some homes and buildings around the area. Though they have found the community's water supply is free from lead, service lines or interior plumbing are possible causes for lead being found in samples. (Adobe Stock)

Residents of Troy Demand Action Against Lead Pipes

Residents of the east-central New York city of Troy and environmental advocates have devised a plan to remove lead pipes from the city's water system…

Four organizations in New York will receive $500,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide brownfield job training. In New York State, there are more than 5,000 brownfields, mostly located in Western New York, New York City and Long Island. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Provides Funding for Green Jobs in NY

The Environmental Protection Agency is investing several million dollars in green jobs training in New York. Two million dollars of this money comes …

Part of New York State's climate law says 35% of total statewide spending on clean energy and efficiency programs must go to disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

NY Prepares Disadvantaged Communities for Climate Change Effects

New York State has been working to ensure disadvantaged communities aren't so vulnerable to the effects of climate change. However, as storms grow in …

In 2018, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York filed a lawsuit against the City of Mount Vernon for violating the Clean Water Act. (Adobe Stock)

NY Town Faces Similar Infrastructure Woes to Jackson, MS

A small city in New York faces water infrastructure issues similar to the ones making national headlines in Jackson, Mississippi. Mount Vernon has …

Research has shown that tree canopy and urban forests can help cities retain storm water, provide habitat for animals, reduce summer temperatures and store greenhouse gases. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: NYC Tree Canopy Must Be Equitably Distributed

With a historic budget for parks and recreation, New York City is crafting strategic plans to increase tree canopy through an environmental justice …

Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a historic $150 million investment and a partnership with Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and Westchester County Executive George Latimer to address longstanding water infrastructure and related public-health challenges that have plagued the city of Mount Vernon for decades. (Don Pollard/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Report: Infrastructure Funding a Chance to Advance Environmental Justice

The Infrastructure Act is providing $1.2 trillion for improvement projects across water, energy, building and transportation sectors. A new report …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget includes funds for the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes as part of the state's plan to electrify 1 million homes and make another 1 million electrification-ready by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials Call on NY to Pass All-Electric Building Act

New York elected officials are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation to transition new buildings off fossil fuels, saying it would make …

Buildings account for one-third of New York's greenhouse-gas emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition: Building Electrification Policies Key in NY Budget

The New York Legislature will approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget by April 1. Environmental advocates are pushing for the fiscal plan to include …

A 2021 report found that investing billions in the New York State Environmental Bond Act would create 65,000 jobs. (Carl Heilman/The Nature Conservancy)

Drive Mounts to Fund Environmental Projects in NY Budget

Environmental advocates are in favor of investments in climate action and nature projects New York Gov. Kathy Hochul put forth in her executive …

In a National Wildlife Federation and United Federation of Teachers survey, only one in five educators said climate education was covered in student-teacher training. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: More Climate Education Needed in NYC Schools

CORRECTION: Just 52% of NYC teachers teach climate change. An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated the percentage. (11:43 a.m. EST., Dec…

A new report from The Nature Conservancy says 1,100 tons of pollutants are removed from the air each year, thanks to the trees in New York City. (Noemi Gonzalo-Bilbao Fernandez/The Nature Conservancy)

Studies Show Need for NYC Urban Forest Growth

NEW YORK -- New research shows how expanding New York City's urban forest would benefit New Yorkers' lives in the long term. According to The Nature …

Around 200 million people may have been contaminated by the toxic chemical PFAS through drinking water contaminated by hundreds of military bases. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Advocates Seek More Federal Action on PFAS in NY, U.S.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Advocates for the environment are applauding the Biden administration's new Executive Order prioritizing climate initiatives …

Hastings-on-Hudson is currently the highest-ranking town in New York State's Climate Smart Communities program. (Adobe Stock)

NY Small Towns See Opportunity to Address Climate Change Locally

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- One of the major takeaways from last month's big climate conference in Scotland is, all levels of government need to …

The Long Island Solar Farm is part of the state's commitment to limit statewide greenhouse-gas emissions to 40% of 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% by 2050. (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

NY Advocate Joins Call for Action at Glasgow Climate-Change Conference

GLASGOW, Scotland -- A contingent of current and former elected officials from New York and across the country is in Glasgow, Scotland, this week and …

The Mashomack Preserve is one of more than 100 nature preserves in New York under the care of The Nature Conservancy. (Carl Heilman/The Nature Conservancy)

Partnership Mixes Traditional & Western Ways to Protect NY Preserves

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - New York environmental groups are teaming up to blend Indigenous knowledge of the land with Western scientific knowledge to …

Members from Make the Road New York were among more than 10,000 attendees at the

NY Immigrants, Allies Push for Federal Investments in Citizenship

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Thousands of U.S. immigrants and their allies rallied Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to demand that Congress include a pathway to …

Hurricane Ida broke New York City's single-hour rainfall record, at 3.15 inches - part of the pattern of more frequent and severe downpours which scientists say is a symptom of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most TV Coverage of Hurricane Ida Lacked Ties to Climate Change

NEW YORK -- New research suggests corporate and cable TV news outlets failed to contextualize more frequent and extreme weather events to global warmi…

The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions in New York state, according to the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. (Adobe Stock)

As Extreme Weather Continues, NY Pushes to Reduce Vehicle Emissions

ALBANY, N.Y. - Clean-energy groups are touting new zero-emissions vehicle initiatives in New York, part of the state's ongoing effort to reduce the …

If passed, New York could become the third state in the country to amend its state Constitution to guarantee that

Push is On for NY to Add Environmental Rights to State Constitution

ALBANY, N.Y. - A ballot measure could give New York residents the constitutional right to a healthy environment, and on Tuesday a group of state …

New York and other Great Lakes-bordering states will need more than $188 billion in the next two decades in order to fix drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, according to The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Budget Proposals Would Support NY Great Lakes Protection Efforts

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Groups working for clean, affordable water are supporting President Joe Biden's proposed budget and American Jobs Plan, which would …

The Environmental Bond Act will help New York communities keep drinking water clean and prepare for impacts of climate change. (James Casil/Adobe Stock)

Environmental Bond Act Called Victory for Clean Water, Climate, Jobs

NEW YORK - In November of 2022, New York voters will have the chance to approve the largest Environmental Bond Act in the history of the state…

Study Shows Huge Solar Potential on Long Island

NEW YORK -- A new study shows Long Island has the potential to generate more electric power than it needs with "low-impact" solar installations…

If approved by voters, the Environmental Bill of Rights would add the rights to clean air and water to Article 1 of the New York State Constitution. (Natali/Adobe Stock)

NY Environmental Rights Amendment Heads to Voters

ALBANY, N. Y. - New York is poised to become one of only three states to enshrine the inalienable rights to clean air and water in its state …

Every winter, hundreds of seals bask on the offshore rocks of Plum Island. (Robert Lorenz)

Island Wildlife Haven Saved from Public Sale

NEW YORK -- An island in Long Island Sound with hundreds of acres untouched for 70 years has been saved from the auction block. Plum Island is the …

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state's Green Energy Program will create more than 50,000 jobs. (Photo: Gov. Andrew Cuomo)

Cuomo Commits to More Offshore Wind

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo used his third installment of the State of the State address Wednesday to take on meeting the challenges of …

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NY: Environmental Justice