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New York has benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act's Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program which supports transportation projects, and planning to protect against climate impacts. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

NY, PA towns benefit from Inflation Reduction Act grants

New York towns are reaping many benefits since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed. Along with funds for larger clean energy projects, the state …

The New York HEAT Act could cut utility bills nearly in half for 1 in 4 energy-burdened New Yorkers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates want NY HEAT Act in the final budget

The New York HEAT Act might not make the final budget. The bill reduces the state's reliance on natural gas and cuts ratepayer costs by eliminating …

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 …

In the last 40 years, New York has endured at least 85 'billion-dollar disasters'. The most costly was Superstorm Sandy, with around $43 billion in damage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY bill can help climate-burdened communities

A new report shows the costs different regions of New York face from climate change. It says taxpayers were on the hook for more than $2 billion - …

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 …

Along with making the operation of Long Island's power grid more efficient, a bill before the Legislature would enshrine the protection of wages, benefits and collective-bargaining agreements for around 1,500 Local 1049 union members. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill makes Long Island power grid publicly controlled

New York's state lawmakers are considering a measure that would shake up the way Long Island's power grid operates. The Long Island Power Authority …

Some 200 miles of the Hudson River are considered a Superfund site due to the high amount of contamination, but only 40 miles of the Upper Hudson are General Electric's responsibility. (Adobe Stock)

NY lawmakers demand EPA dredge Hudson River again

New York lawmakers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to keep dredging the Hudson River. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent a …

Climate change infrastructure costs in New York could reach $10 billion annually by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill would make polluters pay for climate damage

A New York bill would make polluters pay for climate change damage the state endured. The Climate Change Superfund Act requires companies who've …

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 …

At a cost of $802 million, the Port of Albany offshore wind tower manufacturing facility will not be completed until 2026. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ offshore wind manufacturing grows, despite setbacks

Despite challenges, offshore wind in New York is thriving. In late 2023, the South Fork Wind Farm off Montauk's coast began producing 130 megawatts …

Rewiring America's Pace of Progress report found the U.S. was on track with sales of energy-efficient systems in the early 2020s but has since slowed progress, jeopardizing its ability to reach a national 2050 decarbonization goal. (Adobe Stock)

Online tool tracks NY communities’ renewable energy progress

A new online tool is tracking New York's progress in decarbonization. The Local Pace of Progress tool examines city, county, and state data to …

Since its launch, the EPA's Clean Bus Program has awarded more than $1.8 billion in grants to 652 school districts across the U.S. The money will help replace 5,103 diesel buses. (Adobe Stock)

Grants awarded to buy NY electric school buses

Federal funds have been awarded to New York applicants transitioning to electric school buses. The $69 million grant is part of the Environmental …

An environmental assessment of New York City's congestion pricing finds the Bronx could see increased soot from diverted traffic. This will come from the 700 more trucks entering the borough each day. The MTA says it's prepared to spend $130 million to mitigate these impacts. (Adobe Stock)

NYC 'congestion pricing' faces massive backlash

New York City's "congestion pricing" plan is set to start later this year, despite widespread opposition. The plan calls for drivers entering …

One element of dual-use solar is solar grazing, which means using livestock to tend land solar panels are on. This has proved beneficial, but a 2021 Cornell University study finds most New York farms have fewer than 25 sheep for solar grazing. (Adobe Stock)

Dual-use solar makes best use of renewable energy, farmland

New York is looking at different ways to make use of where to place solar panels. The practice of dual-use solar uses solar panels in a variety of …

Backers of offshore wind tout good jobs, fossil fuel independence

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wants the state's Board of Public Utilities to initiate more bids for offshore wind projects in the New Year. The move …

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…

Extremes of hot and cold weather have taken their toll on a concrete barrier along Binghamton's Riverwalk. Concrete crumbles between the stones of the wall in upstate New York. (Chet Wiker/Adobe Stock)

Will big oil companies cover climate change costs in NY?

Some state and local lawmakers are on a long list calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to require big oil companies to help offset the costs of …

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 …

The National Young Farmers Survey found 62% of Northeastern farmers attribute changes in weather events they are experiencing on their farms to climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Young NY farmers want Congress to help them withstand climate change

Young farmers in New York and across the country want Congress to help them deal with the effects of climate change. Bayer's Farmer Voice Survey …

Recent investments in renewable energy projects will generate around 6.5 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 2 million New York homes. (Adobe Stock)

NY elected official veterans praise IRA clean energy investments

New York elected officials who are veterans are rallying around the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy investments. The massive federal spending …

A 2023 U.S. Department of Energy report finds that in 2022, the energy workforce added around 300,000 jobs to the energy-efficiency workforce, an almost 4% increase from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

State of NY makes massive investment in renewable-energy projects

New York has made a massive investment in renewable energy. The state is committing $300 million to create the nation's first offshore wind blade and …

Ocean Wind was going to produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes in New Jersey. (Adobe Stock)

Highly anticipated NJ offshore wind project canceled

Just as New York is making a huge investment in offshore wind, New Jersey's largest offshore wind farm project has been canceled. Project owner …

Part of MTA's 20 Year Needs Assessment calls for cutting the agency's greenhouse-gas emission by at least 85%. This would mean converting 6,000 buses to zero emissions, retrofitting existing facilities, and investing in energy-saving technologies. (Adobe Stock)

MTA's needs assessment missing helpful cost information

New York advocates want to see changes made to MTA's 20-year needs assessment. Along with infrastructure modernization work, the Metropolitan …

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 …

Studies show scientists are aware numerous species of fungi are going extinct, but the missing research makes it challenging to know how many and how fast. (Adobe Stock)

Flora, fauna, and fungi

By Reina Gattuso for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Yes! Magazinea-Public News …

The Pentagon has already provided 53 towns with alternate drinking water sources. However, the Department of Defense only provides alternate sources when PFAS levels are above 70 parts per trillion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PFAS water contamination risks at NY, US military sites

A report from the U.S. Department of Defense finds 245 of its 275 installations are close to groundwater sources, including 13 in New York State…

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 National Wildlife Federation survey found mixed opinions about leaving leaves on lawns. While almost half of respondents use collected leaves as mulch or compost, a small percentage are worried about fallen leaves

Survey: Keeping leaves on lawns aids wildlife, environment

A new report found raking and bagging leaves could be doing a disservice to your yard or garden. A National Wildlife Federation survey showed most …

Una encuesta de la Federaci�n Nacional de Vida Silvestre encontr� opiniones diferentes sobre dejar hojas en el c�sped. Si bien casi la mitad de los encuestados utilizan las hojas recolectadas como mantillo o abono, a un peque�o porcentaje le preocupa que las hojas ca�das

Encuesta revela que mantener hojas en el césped ayuda al medio ambiente

Un nuevo informe encuentra que rastrillar y embolsar hojas podría no estar haciendo ningún favor a su patio o jardín. Una encuesta de …

Solar development has grown throughout New York City over the last decade. By summer 2022, 350 megawatts were installed, enough to power 90,000 households in New York City. (Adobe Stock)

New law expands NYC solar property-tax abatement

A recently signed law expands New York City's solar property tax abatement. This four year tax abatement allows for the construction of solar …

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…

Earlier this year, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators submitted a letter to President Joe Biden supporting the need for an international climate peace clause. (Adobe Stock)

NY Environmental Groups Seek Climate Peace Clause

New York environmental organizations are looking for a truce in the international trade wars. They're backing what they call a "climate peace …

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 …

The 15 confirmed weather and climate disasters that affected the U.S. in 2023 created around $32.7 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Is your household ready to survive one? (Adobe Stock)

Experts Guide NYers During National Preparedness Month

Experts are advising New Yorkers about how to stay safe during natural disasters as part of National Preparedness Month. New York has been preparing …

In a hearing about the American Broadband Deployment Act, which could preempt local governments zoning laws regarding cell towers, no local or state governments were asked to testify. Instead, members of broadband organizations testified. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. House Bill Would Minimize Local Input on Cell-Tower Location

A bill in Congress could almost eliminate local input on cell-tower location, in New York and across the U.S. The American Broadband Deployment Act …

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 …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises people to wear masks to help avoid wildfire smoke, and when driving, to close all vents and windows and run the air conditioner in 'recirculate' mode to reduce outside air intake. (Adobe Stock)

Canadian Wildfires Affect Health of Humans, Wildlife

As smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets New York and much of the East Coast, it's causing a wide range of health effects - and not just for people…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported the methane gas emitted in 2021 was the second-highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the nation, behind carbon dioxide. (Adobe Stock)

NY Senate Passes HEAT Act, Assembly Poised to Take Up Bill

The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances…

A 2019 report from the New York State Comptroller's Office found almost 85% of green jobs were in increased demand. A 2022 report found there are 35,700 workers in New Jersey's green economy. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Offshore Wind Farms Grow Job Opportunities

Offshore wind in New York and New Jersey is becoming a large contributor to job growth. New York's offshore wind investments are slated to create …

In New York, the Inflation Reduction Act has helped grow manufacturing and jobs for numerous forms of clean energy. But the White House predicts a default would raise interest rates and lead to higher prices for these projects. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Debt Default Would Impact NY Clean-Energy Investments

The looming U.S. debt default could affect a host of programs across the country - and in New York, the list includes clean-energy investments…

In 2022, the Living Schoolyards Act was introduced in Congress, which would direct federal resources toward greening school grounds like those above. However, the bill failed to advance out of committee. (Adobe Stock)

Green Playgrounds Help NY Achieve Climate Goals

By Marianne Dhenin for Next City and Nexus Media News. .Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions …

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 …

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