Latest News: State Wide

Under New York State law, all new light-duty passenger vehicles must be zero-emission by 2035, with all medium- and heavy-duty passenger vehicles following suit by 2045. However, there are significant barriers to reaching these goals due to charging and grid infrastructure shortfalls, exacerbated by federal rollbacks. 

Exposure to lead, a toxic metal, has a wide range of harmful effects toward people, from headaches and stomach pains to more severe conditions such as heart disease and impaired kidney function. Children are especially vulnerable, with exposure linked to brain damage, developmental delays, behavioral issues, and hearing and speech impairments. Therefore, it’s essential that lead levels are properly monitored through accurate testing and any exceedances are promptly addressed and reduced through effective remediation, or are properly secured against use and are consistently reported to all required parties for schools.

A proposed 90% federal funding cut endangers New York’s clean water and poses threats to infrastructure upgrades and public health protections. With possible state budget adjustments on the horizon, advocates are pushing to protect full funding under state revolving funds while also defending key programs such as the Clean Water Infrastructure Act from potential roll backs.

As the 2025 Legislative Session came to a close on June 18, an act to repeal the ‘100-foot rule’ successfully passed in both houses and is now awaiting action by Governor Hochul.

Voters in the vast majority of school districts with ESBs on the ballot said yes to protecting kids’ health, reducing harmful diesel pollution, and accelerating the transition to a fully electric school bus fleet by 2035.

This role allows you to be on the frontlines of environmental advocacy, representing the organization in Albany during a critical time for climate and sustainability policy.

NYLCV Policy Director Pat McClellan testified before the Environmental Conservation and Energy Committees about the need to advance cap-and-invest and fund clean water and the Environmental Protection Fund, among other priorities.