September 18, 2026

EPA Kills Power Plant Pollution Rules

Trump’s EPA is giving coal and gas plants a free pass to spew climate-damaging emissions.

The Trump administration is moving to eliminate federal limits on climate pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants, dismantling key protections put in place under previous administrations. The EPA is also working to make it harder for future administrations to regulate power plant emissions.

This is a major step backward at a time when communities are already facing more extreme heat, storms, health impacts, and other consequences of a warming climate. With President Trump stripping away federal protections, states like New York must keep leading the way — by cutting emissions, investing in clean energy, and making polluters pay.

EANY’s Jon Binder: “With the EPA formally abandoning all limits on power plant climate pollution, it is choosing to allow preventable deaths and hospital visits, and to ignore the reality of climate dangers we are all experiencing. The states are the ones who will have to stand up for public health and climate protection."

Read EANY’s statement >>

Learn more >>

New York Fights Back to Protect Endangered Species

AG James is taking the Trump administration to court to safeguard wildlife habitats.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of states challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of key Endangered Species Act protections. The lawsuits target federal rule changes that weaken protections for endangered/threatened species and their critical habitats.

The stakes are high for New York, which is home to sea turtles, whales, and other at-risk species whose habitats could be at risk from development and fossil fuel projects if the rollback proceeds.

Read more about AG James' lawsuit >>

Lead-Free Water for Everyone

New York Focus and AP spotlight EANY’s Rob Hayes on the fight to get lead out of New York’s drinking water.

Two new stories are highlighting the work still needed to make sure every New Yorker has access to safe, lead-free drinking water. An Associated Press investigation on the nationwide effort to identify and replace lead pipes features EANY’s Senior Director of Clean Water Rob Hayes, while a new New York Focus story examines the challenges New Yorkers face in getting lead pipes replaced.

As Rob told New York Focus: “The solution is simple: Governor Hochul and the State Legislature should enact the Lead Pipe Replacement Act, which will ensure that New Yorkers unlucky enough to have a lead pipe receive a replacement at no direct cost to them.”

Lead isn’t the only threat to New York’s drinking water, either. The Legislature has also passed stronger state PFAS drinking water limits in response to the EPA’s rollback of federal standards, and we urge Governor Hochul to sign that bill without delay.

More from the AP >>

More from New York Focus >>

Tell Governor Hochul to protect New York’s drinking water standards >>

Next Week: EANY’s State and Local Climate Policy Symposium

EANY is going bigger than ever at New York Climate Week!

ICYMI: For New York Climate Week this year, EANY is bringing together over thirty speakers and half a dozen Assemblymembers across seven standalone sessions in our first-ever State and Local Climate Policy Symposium.

On Tuesday, September 22, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, join us at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus for a day of conversations on the policies shaping New York's climate future. We'll tackle the issues that matter most and explore what it will take to turn climate challenges into opportunities for action.

Here's what's on the agenda:

• 9:00 AM: Climate's Trojan Horse? Leveraging the Insurance Crisis for Climate Action
• 10:00 AM: Climate Leadership in Every Community: A Conversation with NY's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus Leaders
• 10:30 AM: Feeding People, Not Landfills: Policy Solutions That Tackle Food Waste and Food Insecurity
• 11:30 AM: States Under Pressure: Resisting Federal Climate Rollbacks
• 11:30 AM: Housing Is a Climate Issue
• 1:00 PM: The Politics That Shape Utility Policy
• 2:00 PM: The Data Center Dilemma: Building Smart Policy for the AI Era

These are Climate Week events you won't want to miss! RSVP here >>

We’re Hiring: Help Shape New York’s Environmental Story

EANY is looking for a creative communicator ready to turn big policy fights into stories that move people to action.

We’re looking for a Communications & Digital Engagement Associate/Manager to help shape how EANY communicates with New Yorkers. This role will translate complex environmental policy into compelling stories, lead digital communications across social platforms, support advocacy campaigns, and help grow EANY’s public profile.

If you’re an excellent writer, creative storyteller, and thoughtful strategist who likes moving between big-picture strategy and hands-on content creation, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help build the communications strategy behind New York’s next generation of environmental advocacy!

Learn more and apply >>

Celebrate Climate Champions with Gov. Jay Inslee

Join EANY for the 2026 Advocate Awards!

This October, EANY is bringing together advocates, leaders, and changemakers to celebrate the people helping build a cleaner, healthier environment and to rally for the work still ahead.

On Tuesday, October 13, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, join us at CURRENT at Pier 59 (Chelsea Piers) in New York City for an evening of celebration and advocacy. This year, we’re proud to honor Jay Inslee, three-term former governor of Washington and a co-founder of the U.S. Climate Alliance, for his leadership in the fight against climate change.

Come celebrate what we’ve accomplished together this year, connect with fellow advocates, and help build the momentum we need for the work ahead.

Reserve your tickets >>

Join the Fight for a Cleaner, Healthier Future

Your generous support has been crucial in advancing New York’s environmental priorities. But we need your help to keep up the fight, especially in these times. By donating to Environmental Advocates NY, you’ll bolster our efforts to lead on the issues that matter most to all New Yorkers — clean air, safe water, and a sustainable future. Please give today, and power our work for a healthier state.