Environment
In the Catskills, One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Business Model
As New York cracks down on climate change, green energy projects are encroaching on the state’s most rural landscapes.
In a World of Vague Climate Targets, New York Has a Plan—Almost
While Congress dithers on climate, New York is laying plans for “deep decarbonization” of the state’s $2 trillion annual economy.
What the Right to Clean Air and Water Will Mean for New Yorkers
The Environmental Rights Amendment, approved by voters last week, grants New Yorkers a new set of constitutional protections.
New York Declares New Superfund Site in Rensselaer County
The Route 203 site is tied to the toxic dumping ground known as the Dewey Loeffel Landfill, and could pose a threat to drinking water in Nassau.
Community Choice Aggregation Programs Flex Their Power
CCAs are confusing, acronym-laden, and embroiled in municipal government minutiae. They also might be the key to unlocking the power of local clean energy.
The Backyard Battle for New York’s Climate Future
A proposal to place large solar arrays in bucolic Copake has inflamed passions on both sides—and illuminated a challenge for the state in reaching its energy goals.
In Climate Week Actions, Hochul Shows Signs of Getting Real
New initiatives announced this week show promise that state leadership is getting serious about addressing the climate crisis. But the biggest actions are still down the road.
‘Worse Than Irene’: The Toxic Aftermath of a Storm in Rensselaer County
Historic flooding created a potential hazard from a nearby superfund site. It could be a sign of things to come.
7 Locals Tackling New York’s Toughest Climate Problems
From carbon sequestration and solar siting to sail freight and managed retreat, the hard work of climate solutions is well underway in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
How an Ad Hoc Climate Coalition Is Working to Thwart a Power Plant in Newburgh
Danskammer Energy wants to replace its “peaker” gas-fired power plant with a new facility that will run 24/7. With a decision coming, environmentalists are reminding New York of its green commitments.
What Cuomo’s Removal Could Mean for Climate Action in New York
With the governor out of the picture, advocates see a chance to make better state climate policy—if state leaders decide to take it.
New York Officials Are Souring on Gas Power
Grassroots opposition to new fossil fuel projects is turning up the heat on the state’s most powerful politicians.
Keeping New York Honest on Climate Progress
The state has adopted ambitious climate goals. But so far, there’s no real way to measure its progress.
Kingston Hamlet Offers Test Case for Conservation Amid Gentrification
Preservation of the Wilbur uplands, recently acquired by the Kingston Land Trust, illuminates the tensions between development and land conservation in the Hudson Valley.
A Guide to the New York State Climate Policy Landscape
New York has committed to reducing emissions and fighting climate change. But meeting those lofty goals will take more investment and more legislation.
Changes on High: What to Know about New York’s Recreational Marijuana Law
The effort ties licenses and revenue to social equity—but it’s good for small farmers, too.
Ashokan Power Project Faces Uphill Battle
A surprise proposal from a California energy company to build a pumped storage hydroelectric plant on the Ashokan Reservoir has managed to anger just about everybody.
Mud in the Water: The Fight Over Turbidity in Esopus Creek
NYC regularly discharges turbid water from the Ashokan Reservoir into the Esopus before it reaches faucets in the city. Some environmentalists say the practice has negative effects.
SUNY Faculty Urge Pension to Divest from Fossil Fuels
The TIAA Divest campaign builds momentum for pulling funding from polluters and reinvesting in renewable energy companies.
