Updates

The nation's first drilling ban.

In 2010, former Gov. David Paterson issued the nation’s first temporary ban on “fracking,” the most dangerous form of drilling, after we organized thousands of New Yorkers to speak out and take action.

Report | Environment New York Research & Policy Center

The Costs of Fracking

The case against fracking is compelling based on its damage to the environment and our health alone. To the extent that fracking does take place, the least the public can expect is for the oil and gas industry to be held accountable for the damage it causes. Such accountability must include up-front financial assurances sufficient to ensure that the harms caused by fracking are fully redressed.

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Report | Environment New York Research & Policy Center

The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy

As America struggles to revitalize our economy, create jobs, secure an
energy independent future, and protect our communities and wildlife
from the dangers of climate change, one energy source offers a golden
opportunity to power our homes and businesses without creating more
pollution — Atlantic offshore wind.

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News Release | Environment New York Research & Policy Center

A Turning Point for New York's Offshore Wind Energy

New York State can create jobs while powering our homes and businesses with local, clean energy, but only if Governor Cuomo takes the right steps now, according to a new report released today by national and state business, environment, and energy groups. The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy: Time for Action to Create Jobs, Reduce Pollution, Protect Wildlife & Secure America’s Energy Future details the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind energy, potential obstacles to progress, and a prosperous path forward.

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News Release | Environment New York

Obama Admin. Finalizes Historic Clean Car Standards

Today the Obama administration finalized new clean car standards that will double the fuel efficiency of today’s vehicles by 2025, drastically reducing emissions of carbon pollution and cutting oil use in New York and nationwide. The standards will cover new cars and light trucks in model years 2017-2025, and require those vehicles to meet the equivalent of a 54.5 miles-per-gallon standard by 2025. A recent joint analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Union of Concerned Scientists projects that by 2030 in New York alone, the standards will cut carbon pollution from vehicles by more than 12 million metric tons—the equivalent of the annual pollution of 1.8 million of today’s vehicles—and save more than one billion gallons of fuel annually.

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News Release | Environment New York

Environmental groups: NY State’s decision to exempt farms from permit program will weaken clean water protection standards

In response to Governor Cuomo’s proposal today to remove permit requirements for medium Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), a coalition of leading environmental groups released the following statement: 

“As organizations committed to protecting and restoring New York’s rivers, lakes and streams, we are very concerned by the announcement today that New York State will weaken state environmental protections put in place to protect public health, safety and the environment by exempting medium sized industrial farms from its CAFO permit program. As a result, these farms will be allowed to grow from 200 to 299 cows without requiring the installation of structural controls such aswaste storage facilities and water diversions essential to protecting the State’s waters from being contaminated with animal waste.

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