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Hey New York, We Can Save a Lot of $ and GHG Right Now!

Expert BlogNew YorkSamantha Wilt

There is a critical bill awaiting action in the New York State Legislature that will significantly reduce energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for decades to come, and save New Yorkers billions of dollars on their utility bills.

Plastic Straws Only On-Request Coming to NYC

Expert BlogNew York, New York CityEric A. Goldstein

In New York’s latest move to curb the ever-growing amount of plastic trash, the City Council is about to enact legislation that will prohibit restaurants from providing plastic straws to customers, except on request.

NYC Moves Modestly to Restore Composting; More Is Needed

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein
The DeBlasio Administration, seeking to dispel criticism that it broke one of its cornerstone sustainability promises, has announced plans to restore voluntary food waste composting opportunities in the nation’s largest city.

Canadian Trade Group Opposes U.S. Anti-Deforestation Bills

Expert BlogCanada, New York, CaliforniaAnthony Swift
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) claims that applying proposed anti-deforestation legislation in California and New York to the boreal forest would threaten its business model.

Latinx Leaders Paving the Way for Climate Action

Expert BlogLos Angeles, Chicago, New York City, San AntonioEloisa Portillo-Morales
Cities are leading the charge on climate action—reimagining how streets can be used, passing bold climate legislation, and creating green, equitable jobs. At the core of many of these efforts are Latinx leaders, whose activism has been instrumental in paving…

Time to Repeal New England’s Anti-Consumer Dirty Energy Rule

Expert BlogEast, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, ConnecticutBruce Ho
The arcane Minimum Offer Price Rule threatens to frustrate New England's efforts to tackle the climate crisis while raising electricity bills by $3 billion dollars over 10 years.

Transportation Policies for NY to Achieve Its Climate Goals

Expert BlogNew YorkKathy Harris
If New York is to succeed in reaching its ambitious climate goals, it will need specific and bold transportation-focused goals and policies—while also considering long-term, sustainable ways to fund them. The comprehensive package of goals and policy recommendations can be…

New York’s Constitutional Right to Water: A First Step

Expert BlogNew YorkAngela Guyadeen
A constitutional amendment on this November’s ballot will allow New Yorkers to vote on amending the state’s constitution to include a right to clean air and water, stating, “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and…

UPDATED: Science, Polling Support NY Bill to Save Bees

Expert BlogNew YorkDaniel Raichel

Senator Brad Hoylman introduced new language today for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, a bill that would make the state a national leader in safeguarding its bees, birds, water, and people from widespread neonicotinoid pesticide contamination.

Kicking Butts: NY Bill Proposes Banning Filtered Cigarettes

Expert BlogNew YorkMarisa Guerrero, Rich Schrader

A new bill introduced in the New York State legislature would ban the sale of harmful filtered tobacco products, which are a known threat to human health and are destructive to our environment and waterways.

Fracking Banned in the Delaware River Basin!

Expert BlogNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DelawareMarisa Guerrero, Kimberly Ong
The historic vote, made today by the Delaware River Basin Commission, signals a strong stance in favor of a fossil fuel–free future.

Major Victory in Coalition Push for Renewable Rikers Island

Expert BlogNew York CitySara Imperiale, Eric A. Goldstein

The New York City Council passed two bills that, when signed into law, will mark the beginning of the end for the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and transform the island into a model of green infrastructure and jobs.