New York DEC Proposes Changes to Freshwater Fishing Regulation

Proposals to Simplify Existing Regulations


New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the release of a proposal to clarify and simplify sportfishing regulations based on public feedback and DEC fisheries manager reviews of rules associated with the management of the State’s fisheries. The proposed rulemaking also includes a limited number of waterbody-specific regulation changes to support improved management of these waters.

“These proposed changes will help to align freshwater fishing regulations with the State’s current management objectives in a way that is easy for New Yorkers to understand and reflects their input. This proposal was driven by public comments and expert feedback, and represents DEC’s continued commitment to making fishing more enjoyable and accessible by eliminating unnecessary and outdated rules,” said Commissioner Seggos.

See highlights here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

New York DEC Proposes Changes to Freshwater Fishing Regulation Read More »

Republicans in Pa. find one more way to slow adoption of RGGI

Jared WickerhamHomes in front of the Cheswick coal-fired power plant in Cheswick, Pa.


By Stephen Caruso Pittsburgh City Paper

A statewide program to limit carbon emissions from Pennsylvania power plant operators is set to become law — but slower than environmental advocates would like.

The state’s entry into the multi-state compact known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, calls for 58 fossil fuel-burning plants to buy at auction a credit for each ton of carbon they release into the atmosphere. The average price of a credit at the most recent auction was $13 per-ton of carbon.

The policy received a final stamp of approval from Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s office this week, the last step before it would typically be published and enacted.

However, this final step may be delayed until, at latest, early January 2022 due to a technical dispute between Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and the legislative agency that circulates new laws and regulations, an important, albeit bureaucratic, step.

In a letter sent to the Department of Environmental Protection Nov. 30, the Legislative Reference Bureau — which publishes the new rules in the Pennsylvania Bulletin  — said it would not publicize RGGI, pending an ongoing push by the Republican-controlled General Assembly to block it.

State law allows the Legislature to block proposed regulations by passing a resolution and sending it to the governor’s desk.

Read the full story

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Republicans in Pa. find one more way to slow adoption of RGGI Read More »

Amazon announces its first solar energy project in Georgia

Solar farm with a setting sun in the background.


By Abraham Kenmore Augusta Chronicle

Amazon is bringing a 70 megawatt solar farm to Burke County, according to a news release from the company Wednesday. The facility will be the first solar project from Amazon in Georgia. 

According to a press release, the internet giant is rolling out 18 new wind and solar projects around the world as part of an initiative to power the business entirely with renewable energy by 2025. The project in Burke County is one of eight announced today, along with projects in Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Arizona. Together, they will add 1 gigawatt of power to the company profile.

More: Solar manufacturing may expand further in Georgia, southeast under Build Back Better bill

The projects will supply power to Amazon’s corporate offices, its fulfillment centers and data centers sometimes referred to as server farms. Details about the new project in Burke County remain vague, however.

Read the full story

Amazon announces its first solar energy project in Georgia Read More »

Murphy’s picks to replace conservatonists on Pinelands Commission sets advocates on fire


By Jon Hurdle, NJ Spotlight

Gov. Phil Murphy’s new nominations to the Pinelands Commission have outraged environmentalists who said the new members would weaken environmental protections and make the 1 million-acre South Jersey preserve more vulnerable to development.

The critics said the nominees, all with corporate backgrounds, would replace three incumbents with long records as environmental advocates. These nominations, those critics said, are at odds with Murphy’s other policies of promoting clean energy and driving down climate-altering emissions.

In response to the storm of protest, the administration agreed Sunday to meet with the environmentalists on Monday to discuss the issue. The advocates consequently canceled a Monday news conference when they planned to urge Murphy to withdraw the nominations.

The newly re-elected governor on Thursday nominated Elvin Montero, deputy executive director of the Chemistry Council of New Jersey, a trade group, to replace Ed Lloyd, a retired environmental law professor who has sat on the commission since 2002.

Murphy also proposed that Davon McCurry, a government affairs official with the wind energy giant Orsted, should replace D’Arcy Rohan Green, an environmental advocate who has served on the Pinelands Commission since 2011.

And Laura Matos, an executive at Kivvit, a national communications and public relations firm, was nominated to replace Richard Prickett, a retired science teacher who joined the commission in 2012 and is its current chairman.

Read the full story here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Murphy’s picks to replace conservatonists on Pinelands Commission sets advocates on fire Read More »

Lake Erie wind turbine project subject of upcoming Ohio Supreme Court hearing

Two residents challenge approval of Icebreaker project over threat to birds

By Mark Naymik (WKYC)

CLEVELAND — It’s a project that would harness the power of Lake Erie to power homes.

Dubbed Icebreaker, it would be the first freshwater wind farm in North America, built about eight miles off the Cleveland shoreline.

But the project has been stalled by a legal challenge, which has delayed a key approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board, the authority that signs off on energy projects.

The challenge is fronted by two Bratenahl residents — Susan Dempsey and Robert Maloney — who argue the project needs to better study the threat it poses to migrating birds.

Their case comes before the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Read the full story here

Lake Erie wind turbine project subject of upcoming Ohio Supreme Court hearing Read More »