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A new report shows companies like ExxonMobil, the Hess Foundation and Shell Oil have been large donors to a slew of programs at Columbia University. Some of this funding has buoyed climate and environmental research. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Columbia U. climate research 'biased' by fossil fuel funding

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …

A New York State Comptroller audit chided the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for using outdated data in Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act projects. It also noted the Public Service Commission failed to estimate costs for transitioning to renewables. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: Gov. Hochul slacking on meeting 2030 climate goals

Environmental critics feel New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is not doing enough to meet the state's 2030 climate goals. The concerns come after Hochul …

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there are 1,800 projected job openings for wind turbine technicians each year. (Adobe Stock)

SUNY Morrisville wraps first Offshore Wind Institute classes

SUNY Morrisville recently wrapped up its first classes as part of New York's Offshore Training Wind Institute. The state-funded program is part of …

Reports show if New York does not make swift investments in climate change adaptation infrastructure, in the next decade, a major disaster could cost the state around $55 billion. (Adobe Stock)

NY activists take action on companies causing climate change

Though New York's summer is winding down, climate change's effects remain. This summer saw record-high temperatures which have only grown in the …

The Duncomb Bridge is one of 75 structures on the 25-mile-long Bronx River Greenway, which winds through most of the borough. (Bronx River Alliance)

EPA grants $1 million to South Bronx groups for climate justice, resiliency

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described a different EPA grant. The grant amount and purpose have been corrected here…

New York State invested more than one billion dollars to develop offshore wind and clean energy projects equal to 79% of the state�s 2030 energy goals.

Elected officials celebrate Inflation Reduction Act’s second anniversary

New York and the nation have seen sweeping impacts since the Inflation Reduction Act's passage two years ago. New York received $34 billion from the …

EPA grants $500K to South Bronx groups for climate justice, mitigation

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the South Bronx $500,000 for climate resiliency planning, and local environmentalists say it couldn't …

New York State livestock management practices are the largest source of emissions in the agricultural sector, and have increased 50% since 1990, according to the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Litigation holds companies accountable for climate impacts

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Weill Cornell Medicine notes that, along with drinking water to remain hydrated in extreme heat, foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit and homemade popsicles can work well, too. (Adobe Stock)

NY medical professional advises best ways to beat the heat

New York doctors are advising people how to stay healthy in the summer heat. Temperatures across the state will reach the high 80s and mid-90s in …

In total, The Conservation Fund has protected 529,213 acres of land and water across the state of New York. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of acres of NY forest land protected for conservation

Almost 200,000 acres of New York have been protected by The Conservation Fund. Their efforts in the Empire State come as the group, which protects …

Reports show newly constructed electric buildings can have lower energy bills than those with fossil-fuel systems. (Adobe Stock)

‘All-Electric Buildings’ law part of NY building code update

New York's Building Code Council is set to include the All-Electric Buildings Act in its 2025 code update. The 2023 law bans natural gas and other …

The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance's newest report shows traffic congestion causes pollution to spike twice a day with the recorded air pollution levels significantly higher during rush hours. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Air quality worsens in NYC environmental-justice areas

A new report finds New York City environmental-justice communities face worsening air quality. It's part of the Community Heat and Air Mapping …

M�s all� de las leyes clim�ticas, la decisi�n de la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos en dos casos podr�a anular regulaciones sobre pol�ticas de salud, ya que la mayor�a de las leyes de salud son regulaciones federales. (Adobe Stock)

Corte Suprema decidirá si mantiene la “deferencia Chevron”

Dos casos de la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos podrían cambiar el papel de las agencias federales a la hora de aclarar leyes ambiguas. Los …

An Associated Press/NORC poll found 47% of people are unlikely to purchase an electric vehicle, with the biggest reason being the high cost. (Adobe Stock)

NJ elected officials work to relieve concerns about EVs

As New York and New Jersey transition to electric vehicles, consumers have mixed feelings about it. Polls show fewer than half of New York drivers …

An estimated 1.2 million people chose to buy electric cars in 2023, according to Kelley Blue Book. (Ramona du Houx)

NY elected officials kick off tour touting EV benefits

New York elected officials are kicking off a tour to tout the benefits of electric vehicles. The Elected Officials to Protect America tour is …

Part of the New York HEAT Act ensures no household would pay more than 6% of its annual income on gas or electricity bills. (Adobe Stock)

NY environmentalists want HEAT Act passed in remaining session

With less than a month left in the New York Legislature's session, environmentalists are pushing for the HEAT Act's passage. Last-minute stalling …

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)

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 …

New York aims to create 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035. By contrast, New Jersey is looking to create 11,000 megawatts by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

Offshore wind does more than aid NY, NJ clean energy futures

Despite different outcomes - New York's first offshore wind farm came online and New Jersey had one canceled - both states are benefiting from offshor…

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 - …

A 2022 report finds failing to speed up transmission beyond the current pace will increase 2030 U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 800 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill could speed up electric transmission installation

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

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 …

Agriculture has gone from being the second-largest source of emissions in the U.S. to being the lowest, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. (Adobe Stock)

Climate-friendly cafeterias help keep NYU emissions low

By Jack McGovan for Sentient.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

A report from Yale and George Mason universities finds 27% of Americans are

NY faith leaders help people address 'ecological grief'

As the impacts of climate change grow, New Yorkers and people across the country are grieving for the environment. Ecological grief, also known as …

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 …

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 …

A Yale University report finds 81% of New York adults believe schools should teach about the causes, consequences and potential solutions to global warming. This is slightly higher than the national average of 75%. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill aims to educate kids about climate change

CLARIFICATION: The bill would not 'mandate' climate education, as indicated in a previous version of the story, and asks that the current standards …

The New York HEAT Act would eliminate a rule requiring utilities to connect new customers to a gas line for free based on how close their property is to an existing gas line. From 2017 to 2021, utilities shifted about $1 billion of costs onto about 170,000 new ratepayers. (Adobe Stock)

NY environmentalists push to pass HEAT Act in state budget

The New York HEAT Act is again making its way through the state Legislature. The bill aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances and gives the …

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 …

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 …

After a devastating winter storm, Texas disability-rights advocates found between 75% and 80% of disabled people lost power and water. Some other challenges they faced were spoiled medications requiring refrigeration, and lack of access to critical in-home health-care assistance. (Adobe Stock)

NY disability advocates provide winter weather tips

As winter approaches, New Yorkers with disabilities are preparing to tackle a tough time of the year. One of the biggest challenges is getting …

Tras una devastadora tormenta invernal, los defensores de los derechos de los discapacitados en Texas descubrieron que entre el 75% y el 80% de las personas discapacitadas se hab�an quedado sin electricidad ni agua. Algunos otros desaf�os que enfrentaron fueron los medicamentos en mal estado que requer�an refrigeraci�n y la falta de acceso a asistencia m�dica a domicilio. (Adobe Stock)

Defensores de discapacitados en NY dan consejos sobre clima invernal

A medida que se acerca el invierno, los neoyorquinos con discapacidades se preparan para afrontar una época difícil del año. Uno de …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

More than $29 billion in public and private investment has led to around 100 solar, wind and hydroelectric projects being built across New York State. (New Yorkers for Clean Power)

Conservation Groups Collaborate for NYS State Fair Booth

Amid the chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick, the 4-H pavilion and the carnival rides, you'll find the Clean Energy Corner at this year's New …

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 …

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NY: Climate Change