News - Press Releases

Holtec, the firm responsible for decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear plant, is holding off on its planned discharges of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson in May. According to the Decommissioning Oversight Board chair, the decision will allow time to independently analyze the spent fuel pool water before it is released, and allow time for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to answer important questions raised by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. “Holtec’s decision to pause its hastily planned release of 1 million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River demonstrates the power […]

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Holtec adds insult to injury with early discharge plan Holtec, the firm responsible for decommissioning the Indian Point nuclear power plant, has informed the Indian Point Energy Center Decommissioning Oversight Board that it intends to begin releasing radioactive wastewater from the plant into the Hudson River in May, at the start of the recreation season. This is three months earlier than the timetable described by Holtec during a meeting February 2 with the oversight board. As public outrage increases over the planned discharges of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River, […]

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Commenting on Army Corps’ $52 billion proposal for storm surge protection, Riverkeeper urges a broader approach that avoids environmental harm and addresses the full combination of flood risks – sea level rise, tidal flooding, rising groundwater and heavy rainfall – not just storm surge.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it would set health-protective limits for several perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water at concentrations close to zero, establishing the first federal limits on pollution from the class of synthetic chemicals known as PFAS. Riverkeeper has supported health-protective PFAS standards such as those EPA proposed today. “We’ve seen that PFAS contaminate many drinking water supplies in New York State, especially in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley,” said Dan Shapley, Riverkeeper Co-Director, Science and Patrol. “Once in force, these new federal standards […]

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The settlement provides for independent oversight of waste transfer stations’ efforts to contain odor, noise, dust, and manage stormwater. New York, NY, January 4, 2023 – Two residents of Southeast Queens and environmental organizations Riverkeeper and NY/NJ Baykeeper, represented by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) and co-counsel Super Law Group, and local waste transfer stations operated by American Recycling Management LLC (American) and Regal Recycling Co., Inc. (Regal) reached a final settlement in a lawsuit intended to improve the quality of life for residents of Southeast Queens and help […]

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Contact: Jeremy Cherson, Riverkeeper Senior Manager of Government Affairs, [email protected]; 770-630-6790 Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation that will extend the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Protection of Waters Program to class C streams intended to provide oversight to projects which may disturb stream banks or beds. Class AA, A, B, and a small number of Class C trout streams already require permits. Riverkeeper and our partner organizations have documented waterways across the Hudson River watershed and New York that are misclassified, leaving our freshwater habitat and drinking water sources vulnerable […]

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Riverkeeper and allies call for Governor to sign stream protection bill passed by New York State Legislature ADD YOUR NAME: Send a message to Governor Hochul by December 14 > Albany, N.Y. – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and representatives from a number of important environmental groups held a press conference in the New York State Capitol Tuesday, December 6, urging Governor Hochul to enact vital legislation that protects streams and drinking water throughout the state. Gathered in front of the Million Dollar Staircase inside the Capitol building, Harckham […]

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Riverkeeper, NRDC, and Save the Sound, the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic submitted comments to the New York State DEC urging the agency to set new water quality standards for the coastal waters in and around New York City in a way that makes them healthier for recreation and restores ecological functions.

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On Tuesday, November 8, New York voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 1, the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Bond Act of 2022. Funds from the bond act will support capital improvements across the state including vital water infrastructure upgrades, water quality improvements, dam removals, environmental justice projects, and renewable energy all while creating 100,000 good paying jobs. Riverkeeper is a proud member of the Clean Water and Jobs coalition, a 300+ member coalition made up of environmental and conservation groups, labor and healthcare, faith, and good government […]

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