Department of Environmental Conservation

Schenectady County, New Lebanon honored with Climate Smart Community certifications

  “Schenectady County and the Columbia County town of New Lebanon have been awarded Silver-level Climate Smart Community certifications, the highest level of award from New York state recognizing local efforts toward sustainability and environmental stewardship. Speaking in Schenectady Thursday, county legislator Richard Ruzzo, a Democrat from District 1, says it’s well-deserved. “This recognition demonstrates … [Read more…]

Schenectady County secures climate smart silver certification

  “Schenectady County is the fifth county statewide to be certified silver in the state’s Climate Smart Communities program. In an event at Karen B. Johnson Central Library Thursday morning, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced that the county and the town of New Lebanon in Columbia County have joined 11 … [Read more…]

Commentary: A new environmental right will mean much for New Yorkers

  “Protection of our environment, most would agree, is the defining issue of our time. Mindful of this, last year New York voters approved an amendment to our state constitution’s Bill of Rights providing that “each person shall have the right to clean air and water, and to a healthful environment.” In those 15 words … [Read more…]

Landfill tells environmental group to pull defamatory criticism from website; SLG says ‘no’

  “A Manhattan attorney representing Seneca Meadows Inc. landfill has demanded that Seneca Lake Guardian, a local non-profit environmental group, remove “false and defamatory statements” about SMI from its website. SLG founders Joseph Campbell and Yvonne Taylor refused to do so and said they would not be bullied into silence by the state’s largest landfill. … [Read more…]

Schenectady seeking input on tree management plan

  “A plan to maintain the city’s “community forest,” which consists of thousands of trees found along roadways and parks, is set to be reviewed publicly later this month. The city’s Community Forest Management Plan recommends spending thousands over a seven year period to grow the number of trees throughout the city and maintain the … [Read more…]

DEC: Schenectady residents cited after driving trucks on state snowmobile trails in Duanesburg, getting stuck

  “Two Schenectady residents drove their trucks on state snowmobile trails then got them stuck, requiring a three-hour operation to get the trucks out, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said this week. The two were ultimately issued tickets for driving motor vehicles on state lands, officials said. The DEC identified the two cited as … [Read more…]

Trucks Stuck on Duanesburg Snowmobile Trail! Who Got Them Out?

  “If we are to believe the weather forecast for this week, snow is on the way. This could finally be a good start toward snowmobile season. If you just can’t wait why don’t you just get in your truck and hit the trails? Just kidding! Nobody would do that, right? Wrong!”   read the … [Read more…]

PFAS, Solar Panels and the Precautionary Principle

April 2023 American Chemistry Council PFAS: Critical to Renewable Energy     June 2022 OECD (2022), Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Alternatives in Coatings, Paints and Varnishes (CPVs), Report on the Commercial Availability and Current Uses, OECD Series on Risk Management, No. 70, Environment, Health and Safety, Environment Directorate. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development … [Read more…]

ENB Region 4 Notices 5/19/2021: Schodack Eden Renewables Green Dale

  “Columbia and Rensselaer Counties – The Town of Schodack, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Green Dale Community Solar Farm will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the construction of a 5 MW (AC)/7.5MW (DC) Solar array with solid state battery storage on a 129.4 ± acre parcel … [Read more…]