LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS:
Plastic Bag Reduction Act
Plastic bags are ubiquitous litter that pollute waterways, endanger marine life, clog gutters and sewers, litter our streets, shopping centers, highways, parks and beaches, and saddle us to additional fossil fuel-based products. Only 0.6% of plastic bags are recycled nationally, creating the need for plastic bag reduction and recycling initiatives. The solution to the plastic bag crisis is switching from single-use bags to reusable bags. CCE has worked throughout New York and Connecticut to reduce plastic bag pollution through a variety of policies and supports the Plastic Bag Reduction Act to address this growing problem nationwide.
CCE’s memo in support of the Plastic Bag Reduction Act of 2009
Invest in Clean Water Infrastructure
Sewage pollution threatens public health from exposure to pathogens, closes beaches, degrades water quality, and consumes valuable oxygen necessary for healthy fisheries. CCE supports Congress reauthorizing and fully funding the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and dedicating funding for sustainable green infrastructure.
CCE’s memo in support of federal investment in clean water infrastructure
CCE’s campaign for clean water and green jobs
Restore and Protect our Great Lakes
The Great Lakes ecosystem is a natural wonder of the world, holding holding one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply. The Great Lakes supply millions of New Yorkers with their drinking water, provide habitat for wildlife, and support billion dollar industries such as tourism and fishing.
CCE’s Great Lakes priorities for the 111th Congress
CCE’s campaign for Great Lakes protection and restoration
Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship
Residents of New York and Connecticut depend on the Sound for recreational opportunities, including fishing, sailing, and swimming and contributes $8.25 billion annually for the regional economy.. To date, successful projects have reduced nitrogen by 20%, restored and protected 1,199 acres of ecologically important habitat, and created 124.3 miles of new fish passage. CCE supports full funding of the Long Island Sound Study and Stewardship Act to continue effective project implementation to improve the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
CCE’s memo in support of full funding for Long Island Sound restoration and stewardship
CCE’s campaign for the Long Island Sound
Clean Water Restoration Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) was passed almost 40 years ago, and promised to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the United States. The CWA has done a great deal to protect the nation’s lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands from unregulated pollution and destruction. Despite progress since the adoption of the CWA, the health of our waters remains threatened by pollution and habitat destruction. Supreme Court decisions (SWANCC 2001, Rapanos/Carabell 2006) and subsequent federal guidance changes, have limited and confused the scope of federal protection for our nation’s waters. CCE supports restoring the intent of the Clean Water Act to protect all waters of the United States.
CCE’s memo in support of the Clean Water Restoration Act
Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right to Know
Discharges of untreated sewage from sanitary sewer overflows and combined sewer overflows represent a significant threat to public health, the environment, and our economy. Currently, there is no consistent reporting and public notification requirement for sewer overflows, and public health agencies and drinking water suppliers are often unaware when overflows contaminate waterways. CCE supports require sewage treatment operators to implement an effective monitoring and notification program for sewage overflows to allow the public to avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful untreated sewage.
CCE’s memo of support for the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right to Know
CCE’s campaign to stop sewage pollution
Clean Beaches
Communities throughout New York and Connecticut are blessed with access to hundreds of ocean, estuarine, and Great Lakes coastline beaches. Beaches provide important economic benefits, as well as valued recreational opportunities and irreplaceable family experiences. Unfortunately, degraded water quality at many of our beaches severely limits access, and threatens public health. Polluted runoff from over-development and sewage pollution from dilapidated infrastructure fouls beaches with bacteria and pathogens that make swimming unsafe. To protect beachgoers, the legislation requires monitoring, public notification, source tracking, sanitary surveys, and prevention efforts to address the identified sources of beach water pollution.
CCE’s memo of support for the Beach Protection Act of 2009
No subsidies for nuclear or fossil fuel power
CCE opposes dispensing taxpayer dollars that saddle our economy to fossil fuels and nuclear power, which does not advance our nation’s sustainable energy future.
CCE’s memo in opposition to taxpayer subsidies for nuclear power and fossil fuel energy infrastructure
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Update: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 became law in February 2009 and included $4 billion and $2 billion for wastewater and drinking water ‘shovel ready’ projects, respectively. Congress also included a dedicated funding to support sustainable ‘green’ clean water infrastructure projects. CCE continues to monitor implementation progress.
- Clean Water Infrastructure Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Municipalities across the nation face a serious clean water infrastructure crisis. As Congress considers a multi-billion dollar economic recovery package to create jobs, substantial investment in clean water infrastructure will yield significant economic and environmental benefits nationwide. CCE supports Congress investing $20 billion to address our nation’s $388 billion clean water infrastructure need in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
CCE’s memo on clean water infrastructure funding
CCE’s Clean Water, Green Jobs campaign page
- Eliminate Nuclear Power and Fossil Fuel Subsidies in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Federal investment in our nation’s infrastructure to create jobs and ensure quality basic services for the public is necessary to assist local governments, spur economic recovery, and benefit our environment. While Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) generally supports the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, CCE opposes dispensing taxpayer dollars that saddle our economy to fossil fuels and nuclear power, which does not advance our nation’s sustainable energy future.
CCE’s memo to Conference Committee member urging the elimination of taxpayer subsidies for nuclear power and fossil fuel energy infrastructure
- Keep Projects Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Compliant to the National Environmental Policy Act
Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) urges the Conference Committee to include the Senate adopted provision to ensure that all projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.
CCE’s memo in support of NEPA
Updated by epepper 6/17/09