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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A New York State Comptroller audit chided the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for using outdated data in Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act projects.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 …

A Building Decarbonization Coalition report showed the combination of high fuel costs and high distribution system costs can lead to rising cost requirements from ratepayers. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Public Service Commission approves gas rate increase

New York's Public Service Commission has approved a three-year rate increase for National Grid. The more than 19% rate increase will impact Brooklyn…

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 $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 …

As of 2022, the New York State Comptroller's Office found only 29% of the state's electricity is generated from clean energy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY might miss its 2030 climate goals

A new report shows New York will have to delay its 2030 climate goals. The report from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority …

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 …

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 …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported power plant pollution exacerbates asthma, creates new asthma cases, causes heart attacks and is the largest airborne emission of mercury. (TomKonrad/Wikimedia Commons)

Danskammer Energy withdraws Newburgh power plant application

Danskammer Energy is no longer seeking an expansion of its Newburgh plant. The original plan called for expanding the company's "peaker plant" meant …

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 …

Beyond climate laws, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in two cases could overturn regulations on health policy, since most health-care laws are federal regulations. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS to decide whether to uphold ‘Chevron deference’

Two U.S. Supreme Court cases could change federal agencies' roles in clarifying ambiguous laws. The cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and …

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 …

New York gained more than 170,000 clean-energy jobs in 2022 with work in grid modernization growing more than 8% that year and making New York's battery storage and grid modernization sector one of the largest in the country. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature passes climate, energy bills before session ends

New York State's legislative session has ended with climate bills a top priority. Legislation such as the Climate Change Superfund Act awaits Gov…

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 …

About 400 companies will be involved in building the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo through bids for new construction and demolition of the old stadium. (Quintin Soloviev/Wikimedia Commons)

Sustainable steel makes new Buffalo Bills stadium greener

The new Buffalo Bills stadium may not be the best environmentally but it has some green qualities. The steel for the stadium is being made locally …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

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