Environmental Committee

VID ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

November 14, 2024, Environmental Report

City Council Proposals on Waste Management: Co-digestion is the process of simultaneously breaking down various types of organic waste in an anaerobic digester to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate renewable energy, and produce biogas and stabilized end products. "The Egg" is an egg-shaped bio-digester used for food waste co-digestion in New York City.

As always, the devil is in the details. See the two bills below.

• Intro 696: This bill calls for a major expansion of composting capacity across all five boroughs. Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso recently advocated for increasing composting over co-digestion, noting that Newtown Creek’s current capacity for food waste is limited. Read more here.

• Intro 1083-2024: This bill would allow community composters to charge for organic waste collection and sell compost produced at drop-off sites.

Note: The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn, home to "The Egg" digester, is a potential site for a future VID tour. 

Conference on Climate and Compost: In October, there was a Conference on Climate and Compost. It included a general introduction to NYC’s Organic Waste system and an outline of NYC’s Organic program.

• Day 1: You can watch a live stream recording here
• Day 2: You can watch a live stream recording here

Environmental Actions

Stand up, Fight Back: Attend a seminar on How to Win Climate Campaigns during the Trump Administration on Tuesday, November 19, 2024•, at 6:30 PM. In Brooklyn, 470 Vanderbilt Ave. More info and RSVP here

Attend the 15GW Renewable Power for the Future Hearing: Let's pack the hearings on Nov. 20th, 5 p.m., at John Jay College. This is a public comment session. A coalition of grassroots organizations is rallying the New York Power Authority (NYPA). More info and RSVP here.

Hochul Must Do Her Job: Join Food & Water Watch for a discussion of key decisions that Hochul must make, including signing the Climate Change Superfund Act and stopping the Iroquois Pipeline Expansion. Thursday, November 21, 7 – 8 p.m. Virtual Event RSVP here.

Writing Campaign for Water Quality Standards: Environmental Advocates NY (EANY) is organizing a writing campaign for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), reviewing the state's Water Quality Standards; more information here.

6 Steps to a Plastic-Free Holiday Dinner info here.

Environmental Committee Report (take action)! - October 13, 2024

Tell Governor Hochul to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act NOW (S.2129-B/A.3351-B)! This bill has been on Gov. Hochul’s desk for months! It was the only substantive climate legislation passed last session, and the governor must sign it into law. Take action here. 

Prioritize The Bottle Bill Expansion and Packaging Reduction and Recycling Act: The NY Public Interest Research Group Fund (NYPIRG) has announced a petition campaign for the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill (NY S237/A6353) and Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S4246-D/A5322-D), which passed the Senate but not the Assembly. Urge Gov. Hochul to prioritize this legislation in her next state budget. Sign to the governor here and send a message to House Speaker Heastie here.

Click here for Bottle Bill Fact Sheet and here for Joint Memo of Support for the Bigger Bottle Bill.

Prepared by Nat Johnson, VID Environmental Committee Chair.

Environmental Committee Report - October 6, 2024

NY Bigger Better Bottle Bill: Join a Zoom meeting hosted by the Bottle Bill 40 Coalition and New York is Not Disposable on Tuesday, October 8, 6 pm—7 pm, for more information on reducing trash, litter, and climate emissions with the “New York Bigger Better Bottle Bill.” You can RSVP here.

Five Point NYC Park Plan: While the mayor has restored the budgets of New York cultural institutions and public libraries, our city’s parks have again been left behind. The Play Fair Coalition is advocating that the Mayor and City Council adopt their Five Point Plan to dedicate 1% of the budget to NYC Parks in the FY25 budget.      

• Dedicate 1% of the City Budget to Parks
• Build More Parks
• Fix the Capital Process for Parks projects in NYC
• Empower our communities' “friends of” groups to conservancies. NYC has a deep history of civic engagement and not-for-profit stewardship. Yet, the city makes it difficult for these groups to do their work.
• Create a Director of the Public Realm for a cross-agency open space vision focusing on parks.

Hydropower Cable Installation in the Hudson: Two years ago, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the construction of the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, an underwater and underground power cable project linking the Quebec area to New York City. Riverkeeper has published an all-you-need-to-know article on hydropower cable installation in the Hudson River. The article is here.  

Myth-busting Plastic Recycling: Meanwhile, CENTER FOR CLIMATE INTEGRITY has outlined the failures of decades of public messages about recycling in the US.  Fraud-of-Plastic-Recycling-2024 states, "The majority of plastics cannot be recycled—they never have been and never will be.” See the full article here.  

Prepared by Nat Johnson, VID Environmental Committee Chair.

Environmental Committee Report and Actions! - Sept/ 22, 2024

Rally for the Climate Change Superfund Act:
Tuesday, Sept 24, Noon, 633 Third Ave, Manhattan
This bill would force fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damage in NY. Help deliver thousands of petitions urging Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law. Its been on her desk for far too long!  Click here for more information and to RSVP

Defend Local Law 97: Rally & Lobby Day:
Thursday, Sept 26, 10:00 AM, City Hall
Join Comptroller Brad Lander in pushing for the enforcement of NYC’s Green New Deal for buildings. Click here for more information and to RSVP

Environmental Action Alert at TIAA HQ:
Tuesday, Sept 24, 11 AM (In-person), 6 PM (Zoom)
TIAA profits from investments in fossil fuels and stolen farmland in Arkansas. Join Bill McKibben and  TIAA Exposed in a rally. Register for Zoom here or In-person here.

Water Fountain Bill (Int 0900-2024):
Introduced by Keith Powers and 11 co-sponsors in May, this bill mandates 500 new water fountains with bottle refill stations across NYC in the next five years. Learn more here.

Submitted by Nat Johnson, VID Environmental Committee Chair 

Report on two Environmental Actions on Tuesday September 24, 2024

Over 100 people including Bill McKibben of 350.ORG and Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch were at both demonstrations.

1. Environmental Action Alert at TIAA HQ:
   TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) profits from investments in fossil fuels and stolen farmland in Arkansas. NO RETIREMENT ON A DEAD PLANET! (Pictures Available separate email)
2. Rally to urge the Governor to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act
   Activists delivered tens of thousands of petitions from New Yorkers and people across the nation urging Hochul to be a climate leader and sign this important legislation into law. This bill would force fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damage in NY. (Pictures Available separate email)

Local Law 97 is an ambitious plan for reducing emissions in NYC. Under this law, most buildings over 25,000 square feet will be required to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024. There has been a series of workshops and seminars on this subject.

Free Technical Assistance with NYC Accelerator. NYC Accelerator is a city-backed program that can provide free technical assistance to building owners of affordable housing to understand LL97, develop an appropriate work scope, identify incentives and financing tools, and assemble a team to implement the work. To connect with a housing account manager contact (212) 656-9202and/or [email protected]

September 2024 Environmental Committee Report

Join the Summer of HEAT coalition On Monday, September 23rd, at 10 AM for a peaceful protest at CIti’s Global Headquarters (388 Greenwich St, NYC). Since June 10th, the Summer of HEAT campaign, a nonviolent civil disobedience movement aimed at ending fossil fuel financing, has organized over 30 actions against Citibank, involving 6,000+ participants and leading to over 700 arrests. Gulf South leaders from Louisiana and Texas, impacted by fossil fuel development, have repeatedly sought a meeting with Citi executives to discuss the harms caused by their investments but have been ignore. Around 50 community members and organizers will gather outside Citi's Global Headquarters to demand a meeting. If refused, they will peacefully protest by blocking the HQ doors. Join us in standing for environmental justice. Action: link to join here. 

Defend Local Law 97: Local Law 97, which mandates building owners to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 and go emissions-free by 2050, is under attack. Despite its goal to reduce pollution—responsible for nearly 70% of NYC’s greenhouse gas emissions and over 1,000 deaths annually, mostly in low-income and communities of color—landlords and the real estate lobby are pushing back. Councilmember Linda Lee’s new bill (Intro 772) threatens to undermine the law. WE ACT for Environmental Justice is fighting to protect it. Help save Local Law 97 by urging your City Council Member to oppose Intro 772! Action: Sign the petition here

Stand up for Offshore Wind: Resistance to offshore wind projects has been growing, as seen in the cancellation of two major projects in New Jersey last year. Litigation, NIMBYism, and misinformation have been on the rise, slowing progress. The New York League of Conservation Voters is now petitioning Governor Kathy Hochul to accelerate the development of offshore wind projects in New York. Action: Sign the petition here.

Learn More:

• Beyond Plastics has released a Compostable Brochure called “Demystifying Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics,” which provides an overview of bioplastic materials currently on the market.
• Fascinating link to data on refuse, recycling, and organics collected by the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, an Open Data source https://www.recyclinghero.com/

Proposed New NYC Environmental Legislation:

• Int 0696-2024 - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York concerning establishing organic waste composting facilities in each borough
• Int 0698-2024 - Clarifying the definition of organic waste drop-off site. It can’t be just a "bucket" or "receptacle."
• Int 130 - Composting in parks: Gale Brewer’s bill would require Parks and Recreation and the Department of Sanitation to establish composting facilities near the city's largest parks.

Prepared By Nat Johnson, VID Environmental Committee Chair

Curbside composting returns to NYC

Starting October 6, 2024, Curbside Composting will once again be available in NYC! Compost will be picked up every week on your recycling day.  Click HERE for more details from the NYC Sanitation Dept. about how to request a brown bin for your building or home, guidelines about what to compost and virtual training sessions.

July 2024 Environmental Exec Committee Report

3.     In the weeds on Offshore Wind energy production. Learning from the Experts Webinar August 7: Remote Technology to Support Offshore Wind Date: Wednesday, August 7
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET, https://click.nyserda.ny.gov/?qs=075ac79f37eb92fd9062c00af0f319e92ac8c6b1f9db348db802f9e42c2e3ac2289c7793001d26b283194cae5b4d74856af443818a7e5ac0

4.      The New York League of Conservation Voters, are encouraging New Yorkers to take part in Plastic-Free July and reduce their single-use plastic! They have Green Tips: Going Plastic-Free / Green Tips | July 1, 2024. Green Tips: Going Plastic-Free - NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

JULY 11th ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Environmental Committee Report

SUMMER OF HEAT PROTESTS seeks to influence financial and insurance companies to stop using our money to fund the climate crisis—More information and links can be found on the VID Website. For upcoming events, see the Summer of Heat Calendar and mark your calendars for below: 

• Wall Street, Stop Funding Death Rally: July 18, 2024 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM ET Sign Up Now
• Climate Emergency Day: July 22, 2024 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET Sign Up Now
• Action at Insurance Headquarters: July 26, 2024 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET Sign Up Now
• Shut Down Wall Street: Mass Action to End Fossil Fuels: July 27, 2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET Sign Up Now

New York is behind on meeting its renewable energy targets to meet the CLCPA, which commits to 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040 and sets legally binding emissions reduction standards to get New York completely off fossil fuels by 2050.

For more reading on this topic, please see:

• The Public Service Commission Review
• Renewable Electricity In NY State Report by Thomas P DeNapoli, State Comptroller
• NY Falls Behind on Meeting Its Renewable Energy Target
• Missed Deadlines Pile Up As New York’s Climate Law Turns Five

  Summer of Heat! Over 100 environmental activist organizations have launched a Summer of Heat Campaign against Citi Bank for their financial support of fossil fuels. It is part of a sustained campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience to end financing. More info on Summer of Heat initiatives click here.

  Also 350.org will be on the ground taking part in Summer of Heat’s Fossil Fuel Fighters Week July 22 to 27. To sign up for more info click here.  

   

July 8, 2024

“Danskammer Lawsuit Tossed: Orange County Judge Rules that DEC Has Authority to Reject New Gas Plants Under the CLCPA. In a significant victory for environmental activists, the Danskammer Company has withdrawn its DEC air permit application for a peaker-plant expansion in Newburgh, NY. The proposed expansion contradicted New York State's environmental fossil-fuel policies and the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Riverkeeper and other activists strongly opposed the plan due to potential risks to the Hudson River, hazardous emissions, and past fish kills. Yesterday, an Orange County judge ruled that the DEC can reject new gas plants under the CLCPA, effectively dismissing the Danskammer lawsuit. This outcome marks a crucial win for environmental protection in the region. More details can be found in the Riverkeeper article.

Composting Restored! New Yorkers recently rallied against proposed mayoral budget cuts, advocating tirelessly through rallies, hearings, and petitions. Their efforts resulted in the City Council restoring $6.245 million to community composting programs and establishing a sustainable path forward. The budget agreement will fund environmental justice groups, expand local composting, enhance school recycling education, create green jobs, and support the city’s curbside organics collection program. This decision is not just a restoration but a reinvestment in community-based climate solutions and a step toward achieving zero waste goals. A PDF of the joint statement is attached here. 

Prepared by VID Environmental Chair Nat Jonhson

VID Trip to Sunset Park Material Recycling Facility: Thank you to everyone who joined us on the VID-sponsored tour of the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The visit aimed to understand the processes involved in the sorting, processing, and recycling of various waste materials and the questions surrounding the recycling of specific materials.  For a full report of the tour click HERE.  A HUGE thank you to VID's Environmental Committee Chair, Nat Johnson for organizing this really amazing tour.  

Overview: Operated by Balcones Recycling, the facility covers 11 acres and handles over 15,000 tons monthly from NYC's Department of Sanitation via barge, rail, and truck. Equipped with advanced machinery like conveyors and optical sorters, it starts at the receiving area where materials are sorted manually to remove contaminants and bulky items. Automated systems follow, using trommels, air classifiers, and magnets to sort materials further. Optical sorters enhance plastic sorting accuracy. Quality control ensures standards are met before materials are baled for shipment. Benefits include waste reduction and resource recovery, though challenges include economic viability and contamination. Future improvements could include advanced technology and facility expansion to meet growing waste demands.

More pictures and full report available HERE.

VID FIELD TRIP TO: Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility (Recycling) in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at 2:00pm (Limit is 30 people). Bus pickup will be at 26 Perry Street at 1:00pm. The Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility is located at 472 2nd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Nearest train station is at 25 St then walk down 29th street about 17 min, 0.8 mi.   PLEASE NOTE, THIS TRIP IS FOR VID MEMBERS ONLY.

Eric Lach’s, April 8 the New Yorker article “The Ex-N.Y.P.D. Official Trying to Tame New York’s Trash” about Jessica Tisch, New York City’s sanitation commissioner is an excellent political history and the Commissioner’s personal perspective along with the Adam’s administrations’ on trash.  Good reading in anticipation of VID field trip https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/15/the-ex-nypd-official-trying-to-tame-new-yorks-trash

VID Committee Report

Climate Change Superfund Act: The New York State Assembly concluded the 2024 legislative session early morning Saturday, June 8, with the surprising passage of the Climate Superfund Act which requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent. Large greenhouse gas emitters are required to pay for their pollution, creating a new fund for climate mitigation projects across New York, is now awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature. We await her “Diner” response.

ALBANY DID NOT PASS NY HEAT Act which aimed to reduce reliance on gas and cut energy bills. In addition, the Senate passed not only NY HEAT but more than two dozen other bills which, as in previous years the Assembly was unwilling to address. Critical legislation that did NOT pass the Assembly is as follows: 

• A3556C: Banned harmful ‘forever chemicals’
• Packaging and Recycling Infrsturcture Act (A5322B): Packaging and Recycling Infrastucture Act. 
• Bottle Bill: Established an innovative circular economy for packaging waste

Other key issues remain unaddressed by the assembly: 

• Advanced goals for decarbonizing the transportation sector
• Blueprint for how NY gets to a zero emissions electrical grid by 2040
•  More Protection for air and water quality
•  Increased epowerment for environmental justice communities

Summer of Heat! Over 100 environmental activist organizations have launched a Summer of Heat Campaign against Citi Bank for their financial support of fossil fuels. It is part of a sustained campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience to end financing. More info on Summer of Heat initiatives click here.

Also 350.org will be on the ground taking part in Summer of Heat’s Fossil Fuel Fighters Week July 22 to 27. To sign up for more info click here.  

Learn more about climate-friendly solutions with this GREAT music video, "I'm Your Heat Pump"!

Indian Point’s Nuclear Power Plant: An investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that Indian Point owner, Holtec, had workers sign agreements saying they would not discuss safety concerns with outsiders after they stopped working at the shuttered nuclear power plant. In 2023, VID wrote a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to sign the Save the Hudson bill (A.7208/S.6893) into law and stop Holtec International from dumping over one million gallons of radioactive wastewater from the Indian Point.  Read more about it HERE.

How Offshore Wind Connects to New York’s Electric Grid: Please check out this webinar series hosted by NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind Team, featuring independent experts speaking on key offshore wind topics, including wind farm technologies, development practices, regulatory processes, and research initiatives. June 12 on 
Wednesday, June 12 from 1:00 p.m .– 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to register.

Take a Stand: Support the Phase-Out of Toxic PFAS Chemicals in New York by Environmental Advocates NY. Toxic PFAS chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," are lurking in everyday products, threatening our health and environment. ASAP Letter to legislature:HERE.  

UPDATE ON "FOREVER CHEMICALS": June 2024

"Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Widely Found In NY Water: New EPA Data:article HERE.

UPDATE:Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in pesticides used on food, in homes and on pets, study finds, CNN article, July 2024

From Inside Climate News New York, Attorney General Letitia James’ Narrow View of the State’s Green Amendment: Environmentalists have cited the amendment in opposing expansion of a giant landfill. But James has argued in court that its guarantee of “clean air, clean water and a healthful environment” cannot be used to supersede state permitting decisions. Read article HERE. 

Update: Compost Sites Salvaged (for now): Due to city budget cuts we have been protesting, GrowNYC community composting collection at city greenmarkets (Abingdon Market, among other locations) ended this week. However, with the help of donors, two downtown Manhattan sites run by the Lower East Side Ecology Center will continue through the end of 2024.

New Yorkers can still drop off food scraps, plant trimmings, and other organic materials at the Union Square Greenmarket and Tompkins Square Greenmarket.

Dropping off food scraps with the Ecology Center ensures they are composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil.

NY! Contact your reps to vote YES on Plastic Reduction and Reuse Bills! This takes 1 SECOND! Click HERE.

More information about the Bigger Bottle Bill and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act  HERE. Additional environmental issues and actions HERE.

UPDATE:

New Poll: 82% of NY Voters Say Single-Use Plastic Packaging Is a Problem. Reducing single-use plastic has massive public support across New York, but the legislature still hasn’t voted on the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. A bipartisan 67% of voters support the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A5322B Glick / S4246B Harckham).  

Click HERE for the recent press release and HERE for info. about how the polluter and not the taxpayer pays and HERE for additional information. 

Contact your reps to vote YES on Plastic Reduction and Reuse Bills!

VID FIELD TRIP TO: Sims Municipal Recycling (SMR) in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at 2:00pm (Limit is 30 people). Bus pickup will be at 26 Perry Street at 1:00pm. The Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility is located at 472 2nd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Nearest train station is at 25 St then walk down 29th street about 17 min, 0.8 mi.   PLEASE NOTE, THIS TRIP IS FOR VID MEMBERS ONLY.

Eric Lach’s, April 8 the New Yorker article “The Ex-N.Y.P.D. Official Trying to Tame New York’s Trash” about Jessica Tisch, New York City’s sanitation commissioner is an excellent political history and the Commissioner’s personal perspective along with the Adam’s administrations’ on trash.  Good reading in anticipation of VID field trip to Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday, June 19.  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/15/the-ex-nypd-official-trying-to-tame-new-yorks-trash

Environmental Committee Report, May 19, 2024

We Must Budget Community Composting: We are rapidly running out of time to restore the mayor’s budget cuts. Let’s make sure the Mayor is aware of the importance of actual composting. Text the Mayor at 917-909-2288 and ask him to restore the budget cuts to community composting ASAP. Angelica Ang has written More Than Dirt, a beautiful essay on what NYC will lose without community composting. 

NY HEAT Act: Keep the Pressure On and Support NY HEAT!  UPDATE 5/20/24: "Climate advocates plan to spend against incumbents blocking NY HEAT Act" read here- Keep the pressure up! The NY HEAT Act (New York Home Energy Affordable Transition) passed the Senate. However, despite being widely popular in the Assembly (it has 75 cosponsors), this critical climate and energy affordability legislation (S.2016A/A.4592A) has yet to move out of the Assembly’s Corporations Committee. HEAT will ensure the following:

•         Ensuring Energy Affordability
•         Ending the Obligation to Serve
•         Ending the 100-foot Rule

NYC's Zero Waste: The New York League of Conservation Voters has published New York City's zero-waste goals. These are part of a NYC Council legislative package introduced in April 2022, which commits the city to a zero-waste by 2030 goal. Click here for the full policy agenda.

Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek: Letter Campaign: Riverkeeper and Voice of Gowanus have launched a letter campaign to environmental officials and  Gov. Hochul, respectively, to require a clean-up of all toxic sites in the Gowanus Canal Community and to restore New York City’s Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek, both of which are Superfund sites. To send a letter, click here for the Voice of Gowanus Letter and here for the Riverkeeper's Letter. 

PFAS: Let’s get educated. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that are a public health and environmental concern. The use of PFAS is widespread in making products that resist grease, oil, water, and stains – such as non-stick pans, microwave popcorn bags, raincoats, cosmetics, fire-fighting foam, carpets, food wrappers, etc. The advocacy group WE ACT has been working to raise awareness of PFAS. On Oct. 31, 2019, WE ACT and its partners hosted a PFAS webinar to help educate our community about these chemicals and their threats. Watch the Video. And you can learn more about PFAS via this English/Spanish fact sheet: PFAS Fact Sheet (PDF).

Contributed by Nat Johnson, VID Environmental Committee Chair

VID Environmental Committee Report May 10, 2024

Save Our Parks May 7 Rally - update

About 500 people and a dozen advocacy groups rallied in Union Square to protest $55MM in budget to NYC’s park department, jeopardizing park maintenance and safety. Adam Ganser of New Yorkers for Parks says these cuts will result in dirtier bathrooms, trash in our city's parks, un-mowed lawns, untrimmed trees, recreation centers that don't have programs. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine argued for the restoration of just 1% of funds and cited their minimal impact on the city's overall budget. While City Hall will support some funding restoration, it falls far short of addressing park upkeep in any meaningful way. Full article FOX5 and AmNY.

Mayor Adams has cut NYC Parks by over $25 million, resulting in the loss of over 600 jobs. There was a Rally for Parks, on Tuesday, May 7 in Union Square Park to raise the budget to the 1% level. About 500 people, dozen organizations attended. https://www.ny4p.org/what-we-do/play-fair 

2.    Eric Lach’s, April 8 the New Yorker article “The Ex-N.Y.P.D. Official Trying to Tame New York’s Trash” about Jessica Tisch, New York City’s sanitation commissioner is an excellent political history and the Commissioner’s personal perspective along with the Adam’s administrations’ on trash.  Good reading in anticipation of VID field trip to Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday, June 19.  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/15/the-ex-nypd-official-trying-to-tame-new-yorks-trash

Actions:

3.    NYPIRG (New York Public Interest Research Group) has a campaign in support of the Climate Change Superfund Act to make polluters pay for clean-up. (A.3351-A-Jeffrey Dinowitz/ S2129A-Liz Krueger). https://www.nypirg.org/makepolluterspay/ 

Contact Governor Kathy Hochul by Phone: 1-518-474-8390 | Office hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm, https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form and Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, office at: [email protected] or 212-674-5153.

4.    Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S4246-b/A5322-b) and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (S237-b/A6353) –

On May 14 there will be a bus trip to Albany in support of this legislation by Beyond Plastics https://www.beyondplastics.org/events/nys-2024-in-person-advocacy-day-5-14-24 

Media:

·         Mark Levine-NY4P

·         NY4P-1, NY4P-2, NY4P-3, NY4P-4

·         Batalá -percussion ensemble MOV

VID Environmental Committee Report April 11, 2024

1.    VID FIELD TRIP TO: Sims Municipal Recycling (SMR) in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at 2:00pm

2.    Village Independent Democrats supports the NY HEAT Act and the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act. Continue calling Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie in support. Albany: 518-455-3791, local office is 718-654-6539. Also as suggested by Food & Water Watch a call to constituent Assemblymembers and ask them to fight to ensure the full NY HEAT Act and the Climate Change Superfund Act are included in the budget. NY State Assembly Bill 2023-A4592B

3.    Beyond Pesticides, ask that we  Tell the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Secretary of State to withdraw opposition to Mexico's ban on imported GE corn. The goal is to “safeguard the integrity of native corn from GM contamination and to protect human health.” Details are at https://www.beyondpesticides.org/  

4.    Earth Day Festival tabling by Food & Water Watch, 350.ORG and others: Sunday, April 14, noon – 6:00 pm, Union Square, Manhattan. RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/fwa/event/605778/

5.    Mayor Adams has cut NYC Parks by $25 million, resulting in the loss of over 600 jobs. Join the Rally for Parks, Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm in Union Square Park.  https://www.ny4p.org/what-we-do/play-fair

6.    In a good beginning! The federal EPA has adopted new rules to protect communities drinking water from 6 very specific cancer-causing chemicals known as PFAS in our drinking water. These are called “forever chemicals” and linked to reproductive and auto immune diseases.    https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_general_4.9.24v1.pdf

 7.    A related issue, Erik Bottcher held a rally today in partnership with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Council Member Julie Won to announce legislation that would ban government agencies from purchasing single-use plastic water bottles. An effort to limit the amount of plastic that is being added to our land files and the environment. Contact Hannah Moses, Director of Legislation and Public Engagement, Office of NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher [email protected]  | (212) 564-7757.

8.    A weeklong vigil in connection with earth environmental stewardship is being held Daily, Mon. April 22 to Fri. April 26. Noon-1 pm at 780 3rd Avenue outside offices of Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand. Asking them to put climate pollution policy on the agenda. https://climatecrisispolicy.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=613712fe6a343247f30883249&id=a319fecfda&e=b1260d528a
This is part of the Earth Act Bill to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030 (HR 598), aka The Earth Bill. Currently, the bill is in the House and key environmental organizations are working on a Senate version.