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A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) is pleased to present the 2023 New York State Environmental Scorecard, an annual evaluation of State Legislators based on their support – or lack of support – for environmental legislation. Voters have come to rely on the scorecard as an easy-to-understand ledger on state environmental policies and an effective tool for evaluating and holding their elected officials accountable. Legislative gains were made on geothermal energy development and safer and cleaner drinking water in the state. NYLCV applauds the State Senate for passing a clean fuel standard and the NY HEAT Act, calls on the full legislature to pass in 2024.

Governor Hochul took a major step to get the lead out of New York’s drinking water by signing the Lead Pipe Right to Know Act (A.6115/S.5112). Sponsored by Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Gustavo Rivera, the bill will make it easier for New Yorkers to find out if they have a lead pipe contaminating the drinking water in their home. It also gives policymakers more information about the scale of the threat to public health across the state. This greater transparency will help direct resources more effectively towards the replacement of all of New York’s lead pipes.

If the city is serious about reducing air pollution and tackling the climate crisis, then we need to do more to get people out of their cars and onto bicycles and other clean transportation modes, and we can only do that by creating a safe and robust network of protected bike lanes across the city. 

The NYLCV family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Matthew Peter. Over the course of the last

On Wednesday, the New York City Council passed the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality (COYCN) zoning text amendment, a wonky name for a mighty important change to the city’s zoning laws. The change will remove hurdles so the city can more easily make green investments for and changes to its infrastructure that will reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings and the transportation sector, the state’s two leading sources.

The City Council took a big step in the fight against climate change today by passing the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality (COYCN) zoning amendment, a top NYLCV priority. Simplifying the process to implement green technologies and retrofit buildings for clean energy solutions will mean fewer emissions and it is absolutely essential to meeting the city’s ambitious climate goals. Since the majority of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, COYCN will help us move away from fossil fuels and ultimately improve the City’s air quality, a longstanding environmental justice issue. We applaud Mayor Adams, DCP Director Dan Garodnick and the City Council for coming together to get this climate friendly measure over the finish line.

It’s time for New York to throttle-up on large-scale renewable energy projects.   Last week, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority released the RFPs for a new round of expedited solicitations for offshore wind and land-based renewable energy projects. The solicitation was first announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on November 16. These new solicitations will help New York reach the goals mandated in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the most progressive climate law in the nation. The CLCPA commits New York to producing 70 percent of its electricity through renewable energy by 2030 and 100 percent of its electricity, known as zero-net emissions, by 2040.