The New York legislature begins its 2025 session on Wednesday, January 8, and Save the Sound remains focused on strengthening state-level policy and investments to protect clean water and communities in the Long Island Sound region and across the state from the mounting consequences of climate change.
“We just experienced a year that matched 2023 as the warmest on record in New York City and exposed our region to a range of extreme weather challenges,” said David Ansel, vice president of water protection for Save the Sound. “The growing consequences of climate change are compounded by the rolling back of federal environmental protections thanks to a series of devastating recent decisions by the Supreme Court. It is more important than ever that we strengthen state-level policies and increase investment to protect clean water for all New Yorkers.
“This session, we look forward to working closely with environmental leaders in the legislature and with Governor Hochul to make funding available to upgrade our outdated stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, find new opportunities to enhance resiliency through green infrastructure and other nature-based solutions, and expedite our transition away from fossil fuels so we can progress toward the goals set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”
At the start of the 2025 New York legislative session, Save the Sound’s priorities include:
Clean Water & Healthy Watersheds
- Secure state environmental funding at levels appropriate to the challenges we face:
- $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. “Our aging infrastructure isn’t up to the challenges presented by climate change and so many other sources of pollution,” said David Ansel. “We have to support municipalities with the resources to take on expensive but essential local projects to protect the ecological health of Long Island Sound and waterbodies across New York State.”
- $500 million for the Environmental Protection Fund.
- Sufficient investment in staffing for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health, and Environmental Facilities Corporation.
- Continued implementation of the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act.
- Protect open space and water quality by opposing the weakening of state parkland alienation laws.
- Protect dwindling populations of horseshoe crabs by banning harvesting for commercial and biomedical purposes, protections already in place in Connecticut. Horseshoe crabs are critical to healthy fisheries and ecosystems, providing a key food source for migratory birds, sportfish, sea turtles, and other species. In late December, Governor Hochul vetoed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which had passed both the Senate and the Assembly with overwhelming support.
- Fully fund the Interstate Environmental Commission, as required by the Tri-State Compact.
Climate & Resiliency
- Support NY Renews’ Fund Climate Campaign and a strong Cap & Invest Program that protects environmentally overburdened communities and funds progress toward the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
- Pass the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition (NY HEAT) Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs for low- to moderate-income residents.
- Establish an Office of Resiliency to coordinate statewide climate adaptation efforts through the Climate Resilient New York Act.
- Pass the Rain Ready New York Act, which confirms that water and sewer authorities have the option to regulate stormwater.
Toxins & Contaminants
- Reduce plastic packaging waste through the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, which makes producers pay for the disposal of waste, and the Better Bottle Bill, which would help reduce marine debris.
- Eliminate the use of toxic forever chemicals through the Beauty Justice Act, the PFAS in Menstrual Products Act, and the PFAS in Consumer and Household Products Act (S187). “We support a comprehensive approach to keeping PFAS from being added to a range of everyday products, from dental floss to textiles, household paints to cleaning products, as Connecticut passed last year,” said David Ansel. “We will work with our partners in the PFAS-Free NY coalition to have cookware added back to that list, as it was in the version that passed the New York State Senate last session.”
- Reduce excessive use of road salt, which leaches heavy metals and toxins into drinking water.