2025 Priorities Action Agenda

Environmental Advocates NY is working tirelessly to advance policies that protect our environment, health, and future. From removing dangerous lead pipes to holding corporations accountable for waste and pollution, our legislative and budget priorities for the upcoming year reflect a bold vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable New York. Explore our key initiatives below and join us in advocating for meaningful change. Together, we can ensure New York leads the way in addressing environmental challenges.

Download the 2025 Action Agenda (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE

Lead Pipe Replacement Act

New York has an estimated 500,000 lead pipes contaminating our drinking water. New federal regulations require 100% lead pipe replacement nationwide by 2037, but this policy is now at risk from the incoming Trump administration. The Lead Pipe Replacement Act will require water utilities to replace all lead pipes—public and private—at no cost to homeowners, creating the most equitable and efficient program in the nation to eliminate lead from drinking water.

Greening State Operations – Codifying EO22

EANY supports a bill to codify Executive Order 22 (EO22) to ensure the GreenNY Council remains a permanent body within New York State. The bill also holds state government accountable to more sustainable procurement practices, supports compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and upholds statewide environmental goals. EO22 aligns with recently enacted regulatory and legislative measures and New York State should lead by example.

Getting Rid of PFAS in Products

The Beauty Justice Act, Ban PFAS in Consumer Products Act, and Ban PFAS in Menstrual Products Act will remove harmful PFAS chemicals from everyday products in New York. These “forever chemicals” are linked to serious health issues like cancer, fertility problems, and hormone imbalances. With PFAS not always disclosed, finding toxin-free alternatives can be costly. These laws will improve public health and promote equity by eliminating PFAS from products like ski wax, makeup, rugs, cookware, upholstery, and menstrual products.

NY HEAT

The NY HEAT Act empowers the Public Service Commission (PSC) to guide utilities towards pollution-free, cost-effective energy sources. It will save customers $200 million per year by ending the “100 Foot Rule” which requires utilities to build a gas pipeline to any new building or home within 100 feet of an existing gas main. It also caps the cost of energy bills at six percent of a household’s income, providing much-needed relief to low-income New Yorkers struggling with high energy costs.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

More than seven million tons of packaging and paper waste are generated each year in New York State. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging requires producers to develop a plan to reduce packaging, enhance recyclability, and fund recycling infrastructure. NYS has other successful EPR laws and programs in place (e.g. e-waste, rechargeable batteries, carpets) and in its 2020 Scoping Plan the Climate Action Council recommended an EPR for packaging program.

BUDGET

$600M for Clean Water

New York’s water infrastructure is crumbling and putting our drinking water at risk. Over $80 billion is needed to repair water mains, upgrade sewage treatment plants, and make other critical improvements. Additionally, local governments need more resources than ever to meet new federal regulations to remove toxic PFAS chemicals and replace lead pipes. $600 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) will help communities protect their water, create good-paying union jobs, and keep water bills affordable.

Staffing For Success

Environmental and health threats statewide are increasing Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) workloads dramatically. DEC needs additional staff capacity for programs to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), air quality monitoring, source water protection, and more. DOH’s Center for Environmental Health lacks staff capacity to advance regulations or to address threats related to PFAS and lead pipes. Both agencies need additional staff to protect human health and the environment.

Climate Action Fund

Under existing state law, any revenue raised through regulations that implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) is directed to the on-budget Climate Action Fund (CAF). With the New York Cap and Invest regulations (NYCI, NY’s cap and trade program) hopefully generating revenue in FY 25/26, EANY calls on the legislature to watchdog spending proposals and ensure that CAF dollars are applied to climate justice and climate solutions.

Fully Fund the EPF – $500M and No Staff Offloads

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has funded projects in every county of New York State to conserve forests and farmland, protect clean water, create parks and trails, support recycling and waste reduction, advance environmental justice, and further environmental education and stewardship. EANY supports $400 million to fund the EPF and encourages a boost to $500 million. EANY opposes any proposal to use EPF funds to pay for agency staffing.

GAP Fund for Emissions Reductions

Much of New York’s housing stock is older and needs repairs before work can be done to weatherize and increase energy efficiency. Low to moderate income households can get state funding for weatherizing and efficiency work, but no support exists for basic repairs. The Green Affordable Pre-Electrification (GAP) Fund would close this gap, making buildings more comfortable and energy more affordable.

REGULATIONS

New York State Cap, Trade & Invest

The Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are working on draft regulations for New York Cap and Invest (NYCI), a market-based cap-and-trade program designed to reduce emissions by selling emissions allowances through an auction. If structured well, the program will generate billions of dollars annually for the state’s Climate Action Fund while driving New York toward our emissions goals enshrined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

State Energy Plan

The path to meeting our climate goals is not as clear as it should be by this point and the State Energy Plan serves as the roadmap for energy planning and investments for the next fifteen years. We need a clean, decarbonized future, with an actual plan.

Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards

The Department of Environmental Conservation is embarking on a Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards which govern how much pollution is allowed into our waterbodies and how stringent environmental cleanup and remediation must be. EANY supports creating new standards for: 1) toxic PFAS chemicals, 2) nutrient pollutants like phosphorus and nitrogen, which contribute to harmful algal blooms, and 3) chloride, a key component of road salt contamination.