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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 $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 …

A 2015 NOAA report finds GE didn't do enough dredging in the Hudson River, and the EPA didn't force the company to do more. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: EPA’s Hudson River dredging efforts insufficient

New York environmentalists want the Environmental Protection Agency to re-dredge the Hudson River. This comes after the agency released its latest …

Port Richmond on Staten Island has the highest amount of lead/possible lead service line in all of New York City, 60.67%. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: NYC bill takes wrong approach to lead pipe removal

A New York City bill is a catch-22 for removing lead pipes. The so-called "Rotten Apple Bill" makes city property owners remove their home's lead …

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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…

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, invasive carp species have been working their way along the Mississippi River and into other waterways for several decades. Now, people are fighting back to keep them out of the Great Lakes. (Adobe Stock)

New Film Details Fight Against Invasive Carp in Great Lakes

A new film is documenting efforts to prevent invasive carp species from entering the Great Lakes. "Against the Current 2: Keeping Invasive Carp Out …

In four of the last five years, New York state has seen severe drought conditions, which experts say could worsen as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. (Adobe Stock)

NY Droughts Could Advance with Climate Change

Twenty-one counties in New York are under a drought watch, which could become the norm as climate change heats up the planet. According to the New …

PFAS chemicals have been discovered at high levels in the water systems of Hoosick Falls, Newburgh, Petersburgh and dozens of communities on Long Island. (Adobe Stock)

NY Enacts New PFAS Testing, Notification Law

A new law on the books in New York establishes the most comprehensive drinking-water testing and notification program in the nation for Perfluorinated…

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 …

According to a Siena College poll published in April 2021, 64% of New Yorkers reported being

Proponents of NY Drinking Water Protection Seek Hochul's Approval

ALBANY, N.Y. - Environmental groups want Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that mandates monitoring the state's drinking water for "emerging …

Better flood resiliency is top of mind in New York, after scenes like the Long Island Expressway's partial shutdown in Tropical Storm Ida. But who will pay for it? (Adobe Stock)

Flood Resiliency: One NY Priority for "Build Back Better" Plan

ALBANY, N.Y. - As a U.S. House committee debates the Biden administration's "Build Back Better" Act, a letter from more than 200 wealthy Americans …

According to Ocean Defense Initiative, 18 coastal states have already identified more than $6 billion worth of resiliency projects to undertake if they receive funding through the American Jobs Plan. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Groups Seek Funding for NY Coastal Resilience

NEW YORK -- Environmental groups across the U.S. are asking Congress for money in the next infrastructure package to curb the negative effects of …

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 …

According to the environmental group Riverkeeper, about 1,500 tons of spent nuclear fuel rods are stored at Indian Point. (Phil Cardamone/Adobe Stock)

Closure of Indian Point Hailed as Major Environmental Victory

BUCHANAN, N.Y. -- A 40-year battle to close the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant came to an end last week, as the last of its three reactors was …

In past Spring Sweeps, 2,000 volunteers at fifty sites have collected 20 tons of trash in a single morning. (Photo: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper)

Great Lakes Cleanup Gets EPA Boost

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A multi-state campaign to help clean up and protect waters in the Great Lakes has received almost $300,000 from the Environmental …

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…

Owasco Lake is the source of drinking water to more than 50,000 New Yorkers. (Miguel/Adobe Stock)

Land Acquisitions Help Protect Clean Water

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The state of New York and a nonprofit conservation organization have joined forces to help protect watershed areas and drinking-water …

Algal blooms from nitrogen pollution kill fish, close beaches and endanger public health. (Brandon Seidel/Adobe Stock)

Big Boost for Clean Waters Off Long Island

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. -- Long Island has taken major steps to reduce nitrogen pollution that seeps into groundwater and is discharged into …

Federal funding for coastal resilience could help restore the oyster reefs that once protected New York shoreline. (kidsasarin/Adobe Stock)

Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Benefit NY Harbor

NEW YORK -- A bill pending in Congress could help a project to restore a natural barrier to storm damage in New York. The Moving Forward Act would …

A single acre of wetland can store up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater. (ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

Using Nature to Protect Against Disasters

NEW YORK -- The toll from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires has been growing every year, but a new report says nature itself …

Earth Day 50 will focus on the importance of continuing investment in the health of the planet. (lovelyday12/Adobe Stock)

Challenges and Lessons for 50th Earth Day

NEW YORK -- Wednesday is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. And to mark the occasion, environmentalists are having a virtual gathering, urging the …

Unused firefighting foam containing PFAS has been burned at an incinerator in Cohoes, N.Y. (wellphoto/Adobe Stock)

DOD Sued for Burning Toxic Chemicals

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Pentagon is being sued for quietly contracting to burn millions of gallons of foam containing toxic chemicals at incinerators …

Algal blooms can cause fish kills and produce conditions that are dangerous to humans. (smspsy/Adobe Stock)

Trump Budget Called a 'Big Step Backward' for Great Lakes

ALBANY, N.Y. - Drastic cuts to clean water programs in the Trump administration's proposed national budget would be a big loss for the Great Lakes…

PFOA and PFOS can be filtered from drinking water by reverse osmosis. (navintar/Adobe Stock)

Concerns Raised about Changing NY Drinking-Water Regulations

ALBANY, N.Y. -- State lawmakers and environmental groups are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to make the Department of Health withdraw proposed changes …

Out of 44 tap water samples from 33 states, only one had no detectable PFAS contamination. (Igor/Adobe Stock)

Tests Show Toxic PFAS Contaminate Water

ALBANY, N.Y. -- As the Trump administration rolls back vital clean water protections, new lab tests have found toxic fluorinated chemicals in almost …

Extreme weather due to climate change can exacerbate pollution runoff and toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Seeks Commitment on Clean Drinking Water

NEW YORK – A coalition of more than 160 local, state and national environmental groups is asking every presidential candidate how he or she …

The oyster populations from Maine to Florida has shrunk to less than 10% of its historic size. (nulovetoyo/Adobe Stock)

Reclaiming The Big Oyster

NEW YORK – The efforts to restore shellfish to New York Harbor and Long Island have made real progress, but there's still a long way to go…

For small towns, the EPA does not require testing drinking water for emerging contaminants. (Daniel Case [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)])

New Bill Aims to Protect NY Drinking Water

ALBANY, N.Y. – Many drinking-water sources in New York state are not tested for a variety of dangerous chemicals, but a new bill in the State …

The EPA classified 200 miles of the Hudson River as a Superfund site in 1983. (brittanymoser/AdobeStock)<br />

EPA Gives GE Certificate of Completion Despite Ongoing PCB Risk

NEW YORK — New York plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for giving General Electric a Certificate of Completion for its cleanup of …

It has been more than three years since PFOA was found in drinking water in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. (Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0)/flickr)

Clean-Water Advocates Urge Tight Chemical Standards

ALBANY, N.Y. — Environmental groups are calling for New York State to establish very low permissible levels of some hazardous chemicals in …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

A groundwater sample in Hoosick Falls found PFOA at 130,000 parts per trillion. (com77380/Pixabay)

Groups Ask NYS to Set Maximum Levels for Chemicals in Water

ALBANY, N.Y. – Environmental, civic and research groups are calling on New York State to set maximum levels of unregulated industrial chemicals …

Curbing nutrient pollution has reduced the size and duration of dead zones in Western Long Island Sound. (Barbara Edwards/Pixabay)

Low Oxygen Levels Found in Parts of Great South Bay

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. — A two-year study has found that seasonal levels of dissolved oxygen in parts of Long Island's Great South Bay fall too low to …

Conversion of land for biofuels has caused loss of wildlife habitat and algal blooms from nutrient runoff. (Medienservice/Pixabay)

New Bill Promotes Greener Biofuels

NEW YORK – Environmental groups say a bill now in Congress could reverse damage caused by the 10-year-old Renewable Fuel Standard. Critics of …

Sewage treatment plants are not required to remove pharmaceuticals from the water they treat. (Jim Henderson/Wikimedia Commons)

Study Finds Drugs in Hudson, from Troy to NYC

NEW YORK – A new study has found concentrations of prescription drugs in water throughout a 155-mile stretch of the Hudson River. Researchers …

Whales and dolphins are returning to the Long Island coast as fish populations rebound. (shadowfaxone/Pixabay)

Conservation Groups Raise Concerns About Offshore Drilling

ALBANY, N.Y. — Environmental groups say a proposal to allow oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic Coast poses real risks to New York. The …

The Clean Water Rule clarifies which streams and wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act. (herbert2512/Pixabay)

States, Conservation Groups Sue to Implement Clean Water Rule

NEW YORK – Environmental groups have joined with New York and nine other states in a lawsuit to end delays in implementing the Clean Water Rule…

Significant amounts of PCBs remain in river sediments north of the Troy Dam, environmentalists say. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)<br />

EPA Delays Decision on Hudson PCBs Cleanup

NEW YORK – The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed a decision on whether General Electric has properly completed its cleanup of the Huds…

A new report says improving New York's sewage infrastructure will require $800 million per year for several years. (127071/Pixabay)

Report Calls for Increased Water Infrastructure Spending

ALBANY, N.Y. – Reporting of sewage spills into New York waterways has improved, but a new report says substantial investment is needed to stem …

Every major bay and estuary on Long Island has been affected by algae blooms, oxygen depletion or both. (USEPA)

Harmful Algae Blooms Flourishing in Long Island Waters

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – Every major bay and estuary across Long Island has been affected by harmful algal blooms this year, according to a new report…

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