Water News: State Wide

Legislation geared towards PFAS and 1,4 Dioxane contamination passed with near-unanimous support in both chambers of the State Legislature late last month positioning New York as a national leader in addressing both contaminants.

The 2019 legislative session came to a close with historic gains for the environment. The State Senate and Assembly passed the most aggressive climate legislation in the country as well as other legislative measures, putting New York at the forefront of the fight for environmental protection.

Last weekend, the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo finalized a progressive state budget for Fiscal Year 2020, establishing several important environmental policies including congestion pricing in Manhattan, a ban on carry-out plastic bags, and legislation to reduce food waste in New York.

In a rarely before seen act, the State Senate and State Assembly passed not one but two NYLCV priority bills in this the first week in February! One bill will prevent exploration and drilling for oil and natural gas in New York-owned coastal waters. The other bill will prohibit purse seine fishing for menhaden, a species of fish fundamental to the marine ecosystem.

New York is leading the nation in protecting the state’s drinking water from chemical contaminants linked to cancer even as the Trump administration is moving the nation backward when it comes to keeping drinking water safe.

After advocacy by NYLCV and other environmental groups, the Clean Water Infrastructure Act passed last year and brought a $2.5 billion investment to improve drinking water infrastructure and water quality protection across the State. Last month, Governor Cuomo announced specific investments funded by the CWIA for different regions.