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Citizens' Environmental Coalition is New York’s leading environmental health organization bringing the grassroots to the statehouse to advocate for safe and healthy communities. 

CEC coordinates the Alliance for a Toxic Free Future, a coalition of community, environmental, labor, health and environmental justice groups working to prevent harm from toxic chemicals.  In 2008, CEC has campaigns to prevent pollution and promote environmental health, zero waste , green purchasing, green buildings, green jobs, brownfield and radioactive waste cleanup.

                                    

Spring-Summer 2010

Last year we completed our work on the State Solid Waste Management Plan after providing extensive comments over the course of two years. That plan advocates an ambitious goal of  reaching 90% waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting  by 2018. The State DEC has scheduled hearings around the state on the Plan for June. We have continued to get organizations and groups signed on in support of our Zero Waste platform. The platform and its long list of supporters is enclosed in the newsletter and we continue to add new supporting organizations.  A great deal of work remains to advance zero waste goals and achieve its many benefits.

We are also trying to fully cleanup the West Valley nuclear waste in order to protect the Great Lakes and groundwater from further radioactive contamination.

We provided detailed comments on the proposal to drill for gas in the Marcellus shale. We have helped protect children from pesticides at school, and at state parks. And we are advocating for additional protection from toxic chemicals through a proposed bill, known as the Child Safe Products Act.

We are also working very hard to ensure that climate change plans bring real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable policies that provide both jobs and environmental protection.

We cannot continue to do this work without your support! 

Click here to read our Spring-Summer 2010 newsletter

Click here to read CEC's Marcellus Shale Drilling Comments

 

New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 2010

The N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has prepared a new State Solid Waste Plan that finally recognizes that materials in our waste stream are valuable and need to be preserved. We strongly endorse its preference for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting over disposal. The less waste we dispose of the more environmental, economic and social benefits that we will enjoy. 

Unfortunately millions of tons of garbage are still being wasted by being sent for disposal in landfills or incinerators.  The DEC estimates New York’s recycling rate to be only 20%, far short of the 50% reduction and recycling goal to be met by 1997 under the State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988. A large portion of waste headed for disposal is recyclable (50%) or compostable (30%) material that could be processed by other means into new products.

Click here to read the rest of the

New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 2010

Click here to read our factsheet "Waste Impacts Climate Change"

Click here to read our factsheet "Reuse & Recycling Grows Jobs Locally!"

Click here to learn more about Zero Waste

 

 

Fall-Winter 2009: Thank you for your support

Happy Holidays!

As we approach the New Year we are very thankful for Friends like you. This year brought unprecedented challenges to our organization. The impacts of the financial crisis have been severe and particularly difficult for non-profit organizations largely dependent on foundation fundraising. Our Coalition was built largely of small groups and individuals struggling to make a difference in their own communities. We do not have wealthy donors on our Board of Directors, but dedicated environmental and social activists who volunteer their time to make the world a better place.  Foundations cut their giving in 2009 by as much as 50%; that is if they didn’t close their doors altogether.

As a result individual donors are even more critical to our survival. Without your support CEC just cannot continue to tackle the many environmental battles before us. That is why we are appealing to you as a CEC supporter to consider what your support means to us and be as generous as you can. You are traveling the road with us making New York a better place to live, protecting the health of communities, and making our future more sustainable. We really need you!

We wish you a wonderful Holiday. Please remember your donation is helpful, no matter how small and donations are fully tax-deductible.  If you already gave a donation recently --Thank you so much and we hope you enjoy our brief newsletter.

Click here to view our Donor Appeal Letter.

Click here to view our Fall-Winter 2009 newsletter

 

Toxic chemicals found in Maine health workers

10/09/09 A small study with 20 participants was conducted in order to measure the presence of environmental chemicals in the bodies of health care professionals.  The study's goal is to increase awareness about the prevalance of toxic substances in the environment and to support the overhaul of a 1976 federal law regulating the chemical industry. 

"Mike Belliveau of the Bangor-based Environmental Health Strategy Center said said manufacturers should be required to demonstrate the safety of their products before marketing them, as pharmaceuticals companies must.
“There is no such requirement for the chemical industry,” he said.
Out of about 80,000 chemicals in common use, Belliveau said only five have been restricted since the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 was enacted."

Click here to read the article from the Bangor Daily News.

Current Policies Fail to Protect People and Ecosystem from Toxic Chemicals in the Great Lakes

09/29/09Current chemical regulations in Canada and the U.S. are not protecting people from new chemicals found in the Great Lakes.  These chemicals; such as flame retardants and musks, are coming from the disposal of everyday products.  Previously established policies were not designed to regulate these types of pollutants and as a result they can now be found in the Great Lakes.  A joint report by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Canadian Environmental Law Association recommends new policies in the United States and Canada.

To download the report, visit www.sustainableproduction.org or www.cela.ca

 

Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling Draft Environmental Impact Statement


Public Comment period open until November 30th, 2009.

The draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) for potential natural gas drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale formation is now available for public review and comment. The draft SGEIS supplements the existing Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and analyzes the range of potential impacts of shale gas development using horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing. The draft SGEIS outlines safety measures, protection standards and mitigation strategies that operators would have to follow to obtain permits.

This drilling involves injecting many toxic chemicals into our groundwater. A serious incident in Pennsylvania just resulted in the DEP ordering the shutdown of the drilling operation because of severe impacts on wildlife with the deaths of many species.

Comments - The public comment period will be open until November 30, 2009. The Department is offering three ways in which to submit comments. We have created an on line submission system which will allow you to write comments and tag them to your areas of concern. Attachments can also be included. You may submit e-mail comments; please include your name, e-mail or return mail address to ensure notice of the Final SGEIS when it is available. Finally, written comments should be sent to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation, NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources, 625 Broadway, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12233-6500.

For more information visit:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html

 

 

DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS

Citizens’ Environmental Coalition is proud to be a part of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign, a national effort to create the strongest, most comprehensive solution to fix the law that is failing to protect our families from toxic chemicals that harm our health and the environment. 

Please visit this link to declare your independence from toxic chemicals and tell Congress it’s time to take action to ensure safer chemicals and healthy families: 

www.saferchemicals.org

 

 

     
   
     

 

WEST VALLEY NUCLEAR SITE

Full Cost Accounting Study Released

Study reveals true cost of nuclear waste; Leaving behind waste buried onsite can cost over $27 billion!

"On-the-ground facts have demonstrated repeatedly that multiple government agencies, engaged in active management of the West Valley site, have been unable to safely contain and control the radioactive materials there. Leaving radioactive waste on site is a dangerous and unsafe option"

Barbara Warren, Executive Director of CEC

 

released by:

Citizens' Environmental Coalition

Center for Health, Environmental Justice

Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Waste

Nuclear Information and Resource Service

Click Here to download Full Report

Click Here for more information

 

 

New York State's First Ever Zero Waste

Conference a Success!

Click Here for more information

1983-2008

Celebrating 25 Years of Protecting New York’s Communities and Environment

CEC's 25th Year Anniversary Edition

Newsletter is Now Available Click Here

 

 

What is that New Vinyl Shower Curtain Smell?

New Tests Find Toxic Fumes Dangerous to Health
  

Laboratory tests show that the “new smell” of a fresh polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) shower curtain is really toxic chemicals being released into the air. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice commissioned tests which found over 100 toxic volatile organic compounds are released for up to 28 days from vinyl curtains.  The chemicals cause adverse health effects, such as respiratory irritation. "Safe alternatives exist, such as polyester or fabric curtains," said CEC Executive Director Barbara Warren at a State Capitol press conference on June 12, 2008. 

Read Volatile Vinyl Report

Sign the Petition for PVC-Free Shower Curtains

 

New  State Ban on  Open Burning and Toxic Burn Barrels

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing a new rule to eliminate open burning of waste to stop harmful toxic emissions.  Open burning of residential wastes in any town with a population of 20,000 or more has been prohibited since 1972, and DEC is proposing to extend the ban to every community statewide, with a few exception such as agricultural burning of organic wastes only (no plastic)  Backyard burn barrels have been found to release dangerous chemicals into the air, such as highly toxic dioxins and furans. Read CEC's Testimony on Open Burning Regulations

For more information on the proposed rule, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/26402.html

For more information on the open burning dangers, go tohttp://www.dec.ny.gov/public/32064.html

 

Pollution Prevention Institute Established

CEC was instrumental in obtaining $3 million in the 2008 state budget for the newly created Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI) and its Green Chemistry Program.  PPI is housed at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the State University of New York at Buffalo Governor's News Release

In June 2008, Barbara Warren, CEC Executive Director, was appointed to the PPI Advisory Committee

 

Green Purchasing Executive Order Issued

Two green purchasing policies moved forward to help New York agencies "green the marketplace" and promote healthy, safe products.  Governor David Paterson issued a Green Procurement Executive Order in April, 2008 to require agencies to purchase environmentally-friendly products and develop sustainability programs(Governor's News Release)

During the annual Earth Day Lobby Day, the New York State Assembly passed the Healthy and Green Procurement Act (A.7483-A) by a vote of 116 to 11.

 

Environmental Justice Committee Moves Forward

Barbara Warren, CEC Executive Director, was recently invited to work with the newly created State Environmental Justice Inter-Agency Committee involving 14 state agencies.  CEC looks forward to working on priority environmental justice issues across the state. Contact CEC at warrenba@msn.com if you have any suggestions.  For information about toxic hazards in your community and user-friendly maps, go to CEC's Ecothreat website at http://www.ecothreatny.org/

 

Free Workshops on Green Buildings

Want to learn how to build a "green" home or business?  Invite CEC to give a workshop presentation to your group or institution by contacting us at 518-462-5527.  These valuable educational presentations will feature information from CEC's popular guide, The World At Home: A Household Guide to Building Green.

 

  

Cancer Prevention through Pollution Prevention:

State Policies to Reduce the Public’s Exposure to Carcinogens

Download Report CEC's report shows that cancer incidence in New York is far too high. The good news in the report is that there are five actions Governor Paterson can take to help prevent cancer in New York.

 

Check out this summary fact sheet    Download Fact Sheet 

 

 

 

 

Support CEC

Support our work to create safe and healthy communities in New York State by making a donation to CEC.  We are a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.  Thank you.

 

IGive.com

 


 
CEC In the News

A Treasure Trove of Social Justice Resources Jan 21, 2009 research on role of CEC in 80's and 90's in the closing of the ANSWERS plant in Albany's Arbor Hill read

Goal is to Waste Less Jan 18, 2009

Wells, who runs the green building campaign... read

Nuclear Cleanup to Cost Billions Dec 3, 2008 "No generation has the right to impose such terrible hazards on future generations" read

Cleanup at western NY nuke site debated Dec 2, 2008 environmentalists, scientists and residents who say that complete decontamination of the site the only safe alternative given its erosion-prone geology. read

Fears over barge plan August 5, 2008 "Construction and demolition debris is known to contain large quantities of various toxins," read

New York State Environmental Regs Questioned August 5, 2008

new survey suggesting NYhas weaker soil cleanup standards than other states when it comes to lead, arsenic and vinyl chloride read

CEC says brownfields cleanup in N.Y. lacking August 4, 2008 cleanup standards for brownfields are weaker than the federal government’s and should be strengthened read

Toxic threat in your shower? June 13, 2008 Environmental group's testing shows vinyl curtains emit volatile, dangerous chemicals read

Watch Out For The Shower Curtain June 12, 2008     Families should shy away from chlorinated vinyl curtains read

New Brownfield Law Needed ASAP June 9, 2008 CEC urges the Legislature to act on brownfields policy reform read

Albany Times Union September 20, 2007
$190M turns toxic site into field Army Corps of Engineers says removal of tainted soil from NL Industries plant is complete read

WTEN Albany - Sep 12, 2007 Toxic Chemicals Possibly Transported Through Your Backyard read>

CBS 6 Albany September 11, 2007 New CEC Report: Toxic Trains a Threat to Public Safety read

 

 
 
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