With “back to school” in full swing this week, Environment New York today offered a new toolkit to help parents, teachers, and administrators Get the Lead Out of schools’ drinking water. Citing a lack of accurate information on lead contamination in water and how schools should prevent it, Environment New York is encouraging parents and teachers to put the new toolkit on their “back to school” reading list.
“Our kids deserve safe drinking water at school,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “We want to give parents, teachers, and school administrators the tools they need to ‘get the lead out.’”
Proposed cuts to EPA clean water programs would halt progress on addressing local pollution in the Delaware River, according to a new report released today. With a deadline for Congress to approve a federal budget fast approaching, Environment New York is calling for full funding of EPA to protect the Delaware River and other New York waterways. “With progress in cleaning up the Delaware River, New Yorkers have just enjoyed a summer of fishing and swimming,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “Cutting EPA’s clean water programs would put that progress at risk.”
Since 2007, New York has seen a 6,548% increase in the amount of electricity it gets from the sun and a 473% increase in wind power production, according to a new report released today by Environment New York Research & Policy Center. The report also highlights advances in the use of energy storage and electric vehicles that will help catalyze the clean energy revolution in New York. At the same time, New York ranked 9th for improvements in electricity energy efficiency programs. “Every day, we see more evidence that an economy powered by renewable energy is within our reach,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “The progress we’ve made in the last decade on renewable energy and technologies like battery storage and electric cars should give New Yorkers the confidence that we can take clean energy to the next level.”
Today, Environment New York highlighted residents profiled in a national project as leading voices for clean energy. The initiative; Voices for 100% Renewable Energy is an online album with photos, testimonials and videos featuring a wide array of individuals -- from academics, to mayors and other public officials, to community leaders, to business and non-profit leaders – embracing a massive transition to clean energy.
Today, Environment New York gave Senator Kirsten Gillibrand an Environmental Champion Award for her commitment to protecting our environment and public health. The senator received a 100% on Environment New York’s recent scorecard for her record of supporting policies that protect clean air, clean water, and open spaces.
“Senator Gillibrand is at the top of the class when it comes to keeping our air and water clean, protecting our special places, and ensuring a healthy climate,” said Heather Leibowitz, Director of Environment New York. “That’s why we are proud to present her with our Environmental Champion Award.” Leibowitz and other Environment New York staff and volunteers presented Senator Gillibrand with a poster of thank-you messages from New Yorkers to commemorate the award.
Environment New York Research and Policy Center is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change.
