Every two years we work closely with local advocates to develop a policy agenda, The 2016-2017 Blueprint for a Greener Long Island. This local agenda provides specific actions Long Island can take to fight climate change, conserve its lands and waters, and protect public health.
From its failing wastewater systems to its overreliance on a car-dependent transportation system, the region has no shortage of sustainability challenges. The good news is we have provided a path for Nassau and Suffolk’s elected leaders tackle them head on at the town and county levels.
Our of the more than 70 recommendations we issued, we have identified four top priorities for the next two years:
- Expand Solar Power – Work with municipalities to streamline and standardize regulations that will spur additional large-scale and rooftop solar installations.
- Improve Water Quality – Identify financing mechanisms to replace failing septic systems.
- LIRR Third Track – Ensuring that the Long Island Rail Road completes a planned third main line track from Floral Park to Hicksville will remove a bottleneck in the commuter rail system, making service more frequent and reliable, and thereby reducing highway traffic by getting cars off the roads.
- Expand Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure – A larger network of charging stations will encourage more municipalities, businesses and individuals to switch to EVs in the coming years.
As in recent years, we will continue to push officials in Nassau and Suffolk to act aggressively to achieve these goals. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to having you with us for these campaigns in the coming months.