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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 …

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 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 …

As of late 2022, there were more than 40,083 megawatts of offshore wind projects in various stages of development. (Ian Dyball/Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Offshore Wind Farms Hit by Misinformation

Misinformation about the effects of offshore wind turbines on marine life could derail offshore wind farm projects in New York and New Jersey…

According to a report, New York has the potential to generate 295.2 terawatt hours of electricity from offshore wind. A terawatt is a unit of power equivalent to one trillion watts. (Adobe Stock)">

NY Offshore-Wind Experts Look Ahead to 2023

New York has seen growth in offshore wind investments, which advocates hope will continue into the new year. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $…

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Biden Administration's goal of 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy could create more than 77,000 jobs nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Elected Officials Seeking More Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore wind is becoming an increasingly popular way for coastal communities to hit their carbon-neutral goals. According to a report from the U.S…

The upcoming 2022 hurricane season has a 60-percent chance of producing more storms of higher intensity. This comes as the Inflation Reduction Act provides $2.6 Billion Dollars for coastal resilience programs. (Jillian Cain - Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Funds for NY's Coastal Resilience Measures

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly passed by the U.S. Senate, allocates $369 Billion to fight climate change, and appropriates funds specifically for …

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ontario waters sit more than a foot above average on the shoreline. (Wangkun Jia/Adobe Stock)

NY Communities Still Face Flood Damages, Call for Bipartisan Climate Bill

The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June to October, and environmental groups are urging Congress to advance a bill which would require …

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 …

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 …

The program aims to support more than 100 shellfish companies and preserve more than 200 jobs. (Cavan Images/Adobe Stock)

Supporting Oyster Harvests, Restoring Reefs

NEW YORK -- The COVID pandemic has practically wiped out the market for fresh oysters, but conservationists are helping out by buying up their …

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 …

The first New York offshore wind farm will deliver enough electricity to power 70,000 homes on Long Island. (twixter/Adobe Stock)

New Milestone for Offshore Wind Energy in NY

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York is one step closer to bringing the first offshore wind power to thousands of homes on Long Island. The New York Department …

A humpback whale feeds in a school of menhaden off the coast of eastern Long Island. (Sutton Lynch/The Nature Conservancy)

Groups Applaud Major Shift in Menhaden Management

NEW YORK -- Environmental groups are hailing what they call a historic change in the management of menhaden fisheries on the Atlantic Coast, saying …

Total investment in the U.S. offshore wind industry is predicted to be $166 billion by 2035. (Zacharias/Adobe Stock)

Study Shows Huge Economic Potential of Offshore Wind

NEW YORK -- Accelerating the development of offshore wind power would bring a significant economic boost to a national economy battered by the COVID p…

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 …

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…

By 2050, experts estimate, there will be more plastic by weight in the oceans than fish. (Richard Carey/Adobe Stock)

New York Plastic Bag Ban Becomes Law

KINGSTON, N.Y. — The bill banning single-use plastic bags statewide has been signed into law. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo held an Earth Day news …

Coastal wetlands are natural barriers that can help protect against storm damage. (Andrea Sears)

Restoring Wetlands Improves Coastal Resiliency

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. – The town of East Hampton, New York, will soon be demolishing a house so the land can once again serve as a protective …

Whale sightings from New York beaches became common after the menhaden catch was limited. (annca/Pixabay)

East Coast Factory Ships Depleting Whale Food Stocks

NEW YORK — The return of a major food fish has brought whales and larger fish back to New York waters, but conservation groups fear factory …

Every year an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters ocean waters. (byrev/pixabay)

Cleanup Gets Trash Before It Reaches the Oceans

NEW YORK – The 33rd annual International Coastal Cleanup is coming up this weekend, part of a global effort to keep trash out of the oceans…

Massachusetts and Rhode Island already have awarded bids for 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind energy. (David_Kaspar/Pixabay)

PSC Urged to Adopt "Low-Cost" Offshore Wind Option

ALBANY, N.Y. – A "low-cost" option for development of New York state's offshore wind initiative would reap the most benefits - that's the …

Opponents of offshore drilling say a spill would devastate New York�s fishing and tourism industries. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Cuomo Backs Bill to Hinder Offshore Oil in NYS Waters

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is advancing legislation designed to discourage oil and gas development in New York's coastal waters. The …

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 …

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 Master Plan calls for procuring 2.4 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. (David_Kaspar/Pixabay)

NYS Wind Master Plan Draws Praise

NEW YORK – New York state on Monday released the first-in-the-nation Offshore Wind Master Plan. The plan starts the process of procuring at …

The state will solicit bids to procure 800 megawatts of offshore wind power, in both 2018 and 2019. (David_Kaspar/Pixabay)

Cuomo Pledges Big Gains for Renewable Energy

NEW YORK – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for big advances in renewable energy in New York. In his State of the State address on Wednesday…

Yes, it's back. Algal blooms from nitrogen pollution can lead to massive fish kills in Long Island harbors and bays. (NOAA)

LI Water Quality “Depends On Us”

NEW YORK - Clean water "Depends On Us." That's the message of an ongoing campaign to raise public awareness about the impact of nitrogen from septic s…

A new lawsuit contends drilling for oil in the Atlantic Ocean would threaten critical habitat for whales, fish and coral. (NOAA)

Lawsuit Challenges Reversal of Offshore Drilling Bans

NEW YORK – Environmental groups and Alaska Native Americans say President Donald Trump has exceeded his authority by reversing the ban on drilli…

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for the development of 2.4 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. (Hans Hillewaert/Wikimedia Commons)

On Earth Day, Some Say NY Needs to Do More

NEW YORK – Tomorrow is Earth Day and, though efforts to fight climate change are under attack in the nation's capital, here in New York, Gov…

Lionfish live up to 30 years and can consume 20 fish in 30 minutes. (Tchami/Flickr)

To Defeat Invasive Species, Put It on Menu

NEW YORK – Celebrity chefs held a Lionfish Throwdown on Wednesday, hoping to help curb the spread of the invasive predator species by raising …

With 1,700 miles of coastline, water clarity affects the value of many Long Island homes. (Doug Kerr/flickr.com)

Clean Water Called Good for Environment, Property Values

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. – A new survey shows that improving water quality not only helps the environment, it raises property values too. Most of the …

The order requires regulations to only consider cost, not the value of protections. (CGP Grey /flickr.com )

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Order on Regulations

NEW YORK – Public-interest law, environmental and labor groups are suing to stop the Trump administration's executive order to cut government …

Cuomo is calling for 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. (NHD-INFO/Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Praise Cuomo’s Support for Offshore Wind Farms

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo is getting high praise for his support of offshore wind farms, but some environmental groups say he could do …

The Atlantic canyons are considered hotspots of biodiversity. (tpsdave/Pixabay)

Obama Bans Drilling in Atlantic, Arctic Waters

NEW YORK — President Obama has designated hundreds of millions of acres of federally-owned Atlantic and Arctic waters off-limits to oil and gas …

Large schools of menhaden bring larger fish, dolphins and whales to New York waters. (Brian.gratwicke/Wikimedia Commons)

Abundant Fish Return to NY Waters

NEW YORK – The return of huge schools of forage fish to waters off Long Island is paying off for New York in a lot of ways. For larger fish …

Offshore wind could someday supply New York with 39 gigawatts of power. One gigawatt is the equivalent of 1,000 megawatts. (U.S Dept. of Energy/Wikimedia Commons)<br />

Offshore Auction a Big Step Forward for Renewable Energy

ALBANY, N.Y. – It's being hailed as a a milestone for wind energy in New York, with the release of a Final Sale Notice for the lease auction of …

The Northeast Marine National Monument is a hotspot of biological diversity. (NOAA)

Marine National Monument a Victory for Habitat, Science

NEW YORK - President Obama on Thursday announced the designation of the first marine national monument in Atlantic waters. Spanning almost 5,000 …

Developing offshore wind will be critical to meeting New York�s Clean Energy Standard. (Phil Hollman/Wikimedia Commons)

Offshore Wind Making Big Splash in New York

NEW YORK – The development of offshore wind power is finally taking off, and New York could soon be a major player. America's first offshore …

Groups call for at least 5,000 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2025. (Ad Meskens/Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Push Cuomo to Commit to Offshore Wind Power

ALBANY, N.Y. – A coalition of environmental, business and labor organizations on Wednesday reminded Gov. Andrew Cuomo of a massive, untapped …

Environmentalist projected images onto the site of the NAAG meeting in Washington. (350.org)

Environmentalists Call for Investigations of Exxon

NEW YORK - What did Exxon know about climate change and when did it know it? That's what environmentalists want state attorneys general to investigate…

An offshore wind farm has been proposed for the same area as the Port Ambrose Project. Credit: Politikaner/Wikimedia Commons

Groups Ask Cuomo to Veto Port Ambrose Project

NEW YORK – More than 20 environmental and civic groups have delivered a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking him to veto the Port Ambrose project…

Studies show the waters off Long Island have huge potential for offshore wind power. Credit: Andy Dingley/commons.wikimedia.org

Climate-Change Activists Call for Commitment to Offshore Wind Power

ALBANY, N.Y. - Climate activists say the answer to global climate change is blowing in the wind - right off New York's shores. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on …

PHOTO: Local scientists say a massive fish kill this weekend on Long Island is another signal that more needs to be done to curb nitrogen pollution in local bays. Photo credit: Stephan Beaumont/Red Vault Productions.

Long Island Fish Kill: Latest Sign of Nitrogen Pollution

NEW YORK - If anyone needed a new sign of nitrogen pollution problems in New York, scientists say the tens of thousands of bait fish that washed …

PHOTO: More than 75 marine scientists and environmental organizations are pressuring the Obama administration not to allow oil and gas companies to survey the Atlantic coast for places to drill, saying it could endanger sea life and threaten New York's coastline. Photo credit: Bryan Burke/Flickr

Calls for Oil, Gas Testing in Atlantic Draw Fire

NEW YORK - More than 75 marine scientists and environmental organizations are pressuring the Obama administration not to allow oil and gas companies t…

GRAPHIC: Almost two years since Superstorm Sandy slammed into New York, many displaced homeowners are dismayed at what they see as a snail's pace being maintained by New York Rising, the state agency disbursing federal disaster funds. Map credit: Cyclonebiskit/Wikimedia Commons.

“Snail’s Pace” for Some NY Post-Sandy Home Repairs?

LONG BEACH, N.Y. – Next month, the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy arrives. Many displaced homeowners in New York are dismayed at what …

PHOTO: Thousands of people took part in the People�s Climate March on Sunday in New York City, one of many such demonstrations around the nation and world. Photo credit: Mark Scheerer.

Climate March Clogs NYC Streets With Something Other Than CO2

NEW YORK - Thousands of people took part in the People's Climate March Sunday in New York City, one of many such demonstrations around the nation and …

PHOTO: A new report digging deeply into public opinion polls shows conservation is a broad concern among America's Latino population and that candidates in upcoming mid-term elections should take note. Photo courtesy Hispanic Access Foundation.

Study: Latinos Are Enviros in Large Part

NEW YORK - While some might think immigration policy dominates the concern of Hispanics in New York and around the nation, a new report shows the …

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NY: Oceans