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Environmental Protection

Protecting Long Island's sole-source aquifer, coastal resilience, and transitioning to clean energy.

NY-01 faces interconnected environmental challenges: nitrogen pollution threatening our water supply, sea level rise putting infrastructure at risk, and the need to transition to clean energy. These problems require coordinated solutions.

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Water Quality Restoration

380,000 buildings on septic systems release nitrogen that pollutes our sole-source aquifer and bays. PFAS "forever chemicals" contaminate groundwater from military sites.

  • 70% of bay nitrogen from septic systems
  • Suffolk Water Quality Act: $4.2B investment
  • PFAS remediation underway
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Coastal Resilience

Sea levels projected to rise 15-21 inches by 2050s. Superstorm Sandy caused $65 billion in regional damage. 980 miles of coastline need protection.

  • Living shorelines and nature-based solutions
  • Infrastructure hardening
  • Managed retreat programs
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Clean Energy Transition

South Fork Wind is already operational—America's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm. Multiple projects in development will bring jobs and clean power.

  • Offshore wind job creation
  • Rooftop and community solar
  • Building electrification
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The Crisis in Numbers

380K
Buildings on septic systems
70%
Bay nitrogen from septic
980
Miles of coastline
$65B
Sandy regional damage

The Water Quality Crisis

Nitrogen Pollution

  • 380,000 buildings on septic systems or cesspools
  • Each system releases ~40 lbs nitrogen/year
  • 70% of nitrogen pollution to Great South Bay comes from septic systems
  • Result: Harmful algal blooms, collapsed shellfish populations, degraded bays

PFAS Contamination

  • "Forever chemicals" from military bases, industrial sites, firefighting foam
  • BOMARC Missile Base: 26 of 28 monitoring wells contaminated
  • Health effects include cancer, immune system damage, developmental problems
  • Contamination plumes spreading in groundwater
Progress Being Made
  • Suffolk County "Reclaim Our Water": 2,553 advanced septic systems installed since 2017
  • Water Quality Restoration Act: $4.2 billion fund via 1/8 cent sales tax (approved 2024)
  • State septic grant program: $30 million in 2025
  • PFAS treatment: Suffolk County Water Authority achieved 4 ppt standard six years early
Explore Water Quality Solutions →