Toolkit Featured: Featured

Report: NYC’s Commitment to Lead Poisoning Prevention

By Amanda Opel

 

According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Lead is a harmful metal that can cause serious health problems. Lead is especially dangerous for children and pregnant people, but it can harm anyone. Lead is often found in old paint. Lead paint, and the dust it turns into, is the most commonly identified source of childhood lead exposure in New York City. The most commonly identified sources of lead exposure for adults who work in the construction industry are job-related. Pregnant adults are more likely to be exposed to non-occupational sources of lead, such as certain consumer products found to contain lead. Some foods, spices, medicines, ceramic ware and cultural powders from areas around the world have been found to contain lead.

For decades, lead exposure has been disproportionately harming New York City’s most vulnerable communities, persisting as one of the city’s largest public health challenges. Guided by data and public health expertise, a recent report issued by the city of New York, Delivering on Commitment: The 2025 NYC Lead Compliance Report, outlines how the city has been working to eliminate this preventable crisis. This report details the city’s progress towards a lead free future under LeadFree NYC (2019), highlighting the current state of lead across the five boroughs and the remaining challenges on the path toward eliminating lead exposure for good. 

 

Purpose of the Report

Delivering on Commitment: The 2025 NYC Lead Compliance Report takes a close look at the City’s progress toward eliminating lead exposure since the launch of LeadFreeNYC in 2019, an initiative to reduce childhood lead poisoning, expand protections, and tighten safety standards. It highlights what is working, where gaps remain, and what new strategies are needed to move faster. 

The data also tells us a story: progress has not reached every neighborhood equally. Neighborhoods with pre-1960 housing are still disproportionately affected, tenant access barriers continue to slow inspections, and unsafe renovation practices still spread lead dust in occupied buildings. At the same time, one in five children misses required lead testing at ages one and two, even though early detection is essential for intervention. These disparities highlight why a citywide, cross-agency approach remains essential, and why eliminating lead exposure by 2029 requires sustained investment, updated laws, and deeper engagement with the communities most at risk. 

 

LeadFree NYC

In 2019, the LeadFree NYC plan was released to eliminate childhood lead exposure and prevent lead poisoning in New York City, outlining a new goal to reduce child lead exposure to zero by 2029. Since its launch, City agencies and partner organizations have worked together to ensure the successful implementation of the 45 initiatives within the LeadFreeNYC plan. This city-wide initiative has strengthened enforcement tools, expanded protections in private housing and shelters, prioritized high-risk populations, and established steps towards reducing lead exposure in city-owned properties, consumer products, and water systems. 

 

Key areas of concern: 

Reduce elevated blood levels in children: The city’s primary goal with implementing LeadFree NYC is to strengthen efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning and reduce elevated blood levels in young children. 

Address lead based paint hazards: Those who live in older buildings with deteriorating paint are at higher risk of lead exposure. The effort to address these lead-based paint hazards involves creating stricter safety-standards, which includes extending Local Law 1 protections – a law that requires landlords to identify and repair lead paint hazards to single-family homes – enhancing inspector protocols, and auditing landlord compliance. 

Address lead’s risk in consumer products: Imported foods, spices, remedies, cosmetics, and cultural items are common sources of lead exposure. This initiative permits the Health Department to broaden its monitoring and enforcement programs that track hazardous products, and requires shop owners to remove products that potentially contain lead from store shelves. If they fail to do so, they may face monetary penalties and are required to participate in training on identifying unsafe items to prevent future sales of these products. 

 

Current State of Lead in NYC

New York City continues to face disproportionate lead risks because of its aging housing stock, older infrastructure, and densely populated conditions. In 2024 alone, 228,600 children were tested for lead, which is more than any other U.S. city. While NYC now maintains one of the lowest childhood lead poisoning rates among major cities, thousands of children are still affected each year, reinforcing that lead remains an ongoing public health concern. 

To track exposure, the city relies on elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs), defined as a blood lead concentration of 3.5 µg/dL or higher. Although no amount of lead is considered safe, this threshold is used to flag cases where health officials must step in to identify and address the source of exposure. According to recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), children with blood lead levels of 3.5 µg/dL or higher are required to receive urgent health and environmental investigations. 

 

Who is affected?

Children and pregnant individuals face the greatest risks from lead exposure. Children under six are especially susceptible, because their brains and nervous systems are still developing, making even low levels of lead exposure concerning. 

Lead exposure can also harm pregnant individuals and developing fetuses. In 2024, over 285 pregnant people in NYC had EBLLs of 5 µg/dL or higher, primarily from imported consumer products. Most (86%) were foreign-born, from 26 countries including Mexico (52%), Ecuador (9%), Guatemala (7%), and India (7%). 

 

What places are affected?

At the neighborhood level, EBLLs are most concentrated in areas with older housing infrastructure. These same areas also tend to have high testing rates, which means children in these neighborhoods are more likely to be identified, thus given the appropriate support. The borough distribution of lead-based paint violations reflects: Bronx (44%), Brooklyn (29%), Manhattan (15%), Queens (12%), Staten Island (1%).  

Since the enactment of Local Law 1 of 2004, New York City has seen a steady and significant decline in children under six who have blood lead levels of 5 µg/dL or higher. However, risk is identified differently across agencies. HPD data is primarily driven by tenant complaints, which often come from high-density, multifamily housing, and may overlook lower-density neighborhoods where residents may be less likely or able to report issues. In contrast, DOHMH’s data is informed by childhood blood lead testing and captures risks in 1- to 2-family homes, households with recent travel or foreign-born residents, and areas where exposure may not be tied to housing complaints but to imported consumer goods, home remedies, or other less visible sources. 

 

Continuing to Move the Needle

Today, the city is focused on finding the exact origins and causes of lead poisoning. To do so, the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance, along with stakeholder agencies, have developed recommendations to keep us on the path towards zero cases of elevated blood levels and a lead-free future. These five recommendations are applied to the already existing strategies and standards New York City has set. 

 

Next Steps

  1. Target high-risk sources: Increase inspections and remediation in older housing to protect vulnerable populations.
  2. Improve data sharing: Create a central platform to track blood lead levels, violations, and remediation, making information transparent and accessible.
  3. Update local laws: Modernize regulations to close gaps, require lead service line replacement, and strengthen enforcement.
  4. Engage residents: Offer flexible inspection schedules, multilingual outreach, and clear tenant rights information.
  5. Raise public awareness: Expand campaigns encouraging childhood lead testing and educating high-risk communities about health risks.

 

Conclusion

The 2025 NYC Lead Compliance Report makes one thing clear: New York City can reduce lead poisoning when the proper legislative actions are taken and when it commits the necessary resources to do so. Over the last 20 years, there has been a significant decline in elevated blood lead levels and lead poisoning incidents since Local Law 1 took effect in 2004, and the city saw even more progress since the establishment of the LeadFree NYC 2019 plan. However, progress does not mean the job is finished. Gaps still remain and the next steps involve a more specific and targeted approach to testing in areas known to be high-risk, which already face economic and housing insecurity. Testing and remediation are often costly, disruptive, and time-intensive, placing an unfair burden on tenants who may lack the money, time, or even temporary housing needed to stay safe. Closing these gaps is essential to ensuring that the city’s success in reducing lead exposure is shared by all New Yorkers, not just those with the resources to protect themselves.

 

Amanda Opel is a 2025 Fall Intern at NYLCV. She is a third-year student at New York University, majoring in Politics and Environmental Studies. 

Green Tips: Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season is in full swing, which means travel, gift-giving, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate with friends and family. It’s also a time when our collective carbon footprint tends to spike – from shipping and travel to food waste and single-use items.

The good news? Small, thoughtful choices can add up. By being a little more intentional about how we approach this holiday season, we can reduce waste, cut emissions, and still have a great time. Here are some practical, achievable tips for a more sustainable holiday.

Rethink Gifts
One of the simplest ways to reduce waste is to rethink what a “gift” can look like.

  • Give experiences or services instead of stuff. Offering snow shoveling, babysitting, dog walking, or a home-cooked meal can be deeply appreciated. Zero packaging included!
  • Buy local. If you do purchase gifts, look to local businesses and sustainably made products. Shopping close to home reduces shipping emissions and supports your local economy.
  • Choose secondhand or gently used items. Thrift and resale shops are treasure troves for books, clothing, toys, and home goods. Half the fun is in the hunt, and the other half is knowing you’re making the sustainable choice! 
  • Get creative with what you already have. Turn unused items around your home into personalized gifts.
  • Skip the wrapping paper. Traditional wrapping paper is often not recyclable. Try old newspapers, magazines, reusable fabric, or no wrapping at all.

Before buying anything, the key thing is to think before you shop. Think about where the item came from and what it took to make. Think about the carbon footprint created to bring that item to your doorstep.


Travel Sustainably
Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total emissions.

  • Walk or bike when you can. For nearby gatherings, it’s the lowest-impact option.
  • Use public transportation or carpool. Fewer cars on the road means cleaner air and fewer emissions – and more time to catch up with friends.
  • Choose buses, trains, or electric and hybrid vehicles when traveling longer distances, as they generally have a smaller carbon footprint per mile.
  • If flying is unavoidable, skip the transfers and go nonstop. Takeoffs and landings generate the most emissions.


Host with Reusables
Holiday gatherings often mean disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, but these single-use items create unnecessary waste.

  • Ditch disposables whenever possible. Use reusable plates, napkins, cups, and silverware. (That’s what it’s there for!)
  • Offer tap water instead of bottled water. It’s waste-free and a whole lot less expensive.
  • Run full dishwasher loads at the end of the night to save energy and water.


Make Recycling Easy
Recycling only works when it’s done right.

  • Place clearly labeled recycling bins where guests gather.
  • Use simple visuals to show what can and cannot be recycled.
  • Let guests know where recycling goes. Sometimes a quick announcement goes a long way..


Decor That Lasts
Sustainable is beautiful. 

  • Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs use about 75% less energy and last far longer than traditional bulbs. LED holiday string lights are festive and efficient.
  • Try upcycled decorations. Paper chains made from old magazines or newspapers, reused ornaments, or homemade decorations are fun to make and add charm without the extra waste.


Plan for Your Food’s Fate
Americans waste roughly 25 percent of the food they purchase. A little planning can prevent a lot of waste.

  • Take inventory before shopping and plan meals ahead.
  • Avoid over-preparing when possible.
  • Compost food scraps.
  • Send guests home with leftovers in reusable containers.

The holidays don’t have to be wasteful to be joyful. By making mindful choices about gifts, travel, food, and decorations, we can celebrate in ways that are better for our communities and our planet.

Green Tips: Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Check out our tips below to find out how to make this holiday season more eco-friendly.

Travel smart 

  • Not surprising, Thanksgiving travel has a larger carbon footprint than the dinner itself. If you have to travel for Thanksgiving, try to avoid using your gas-powered car for long trips: try carpooling with family or friends or renting an electric vehicle (EV). There are an increasing number of EV charging stations throughout the country. 
  • Using public transportation is a great eco-option. Look into traveling by bus or train if you’re destination is close enough. 

“Green” your plate

  • The carbon dioxide emissions from raising, transporting and cooking a 16-pound turkey equals the combined emissions from nearly all dinner sides, as well as the apple pie! In general, meat and animal products have a larger carbon footprint than plants, so consider introducing more plant-based options this holiday. 
  • Avoid food waste by saving leftovers and putting on your plate only what you will eat. Americans throw away an astonishing 200 million pounds of turkey every year! Make sure you have enough containers to hand out to family and friends so everyone can take home leftovers.
  • Buy a locally-raised turkey! This is beneficial for a number of reasons: for one, transportation emissions are lower for local turkeys. Additionally, visiting a local farm to buy your turkey supports the local economy, and you can inquire about the use of sustainable or organic farming practices. 
  • Shop at a local food market for all other Thanksgiving food necessities. Locally-grown fruits and vegetables are fresher and more nutrient-dense than the supermarket alternatives and will be a delicious addition to your holiday. 

Compost

  • Be sure to compost your Thanksgiving food scraps!
  • More than one third of all food produced in the United States is wasted – as in, never eaten, according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the ripple-down impact of this shortfall is truly devastating for the environment.
  • According to studies, food scraps in a landfill produce 20 times the amount of methane as composted food scraps. And methane is quite dangerous. It accounts for about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is bad enough – but it is 25 times as destructive as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the EPA. 
  • In New York City, whether they are high-rise residents in Midtown or homeowners in Staten Island, New Yorkers across the five boroughs are now required to separate their food scraps and yard waste from their trash for curbside pickup by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). This was as longtime NYLCV priority. Visit this DSNY website for more information.
  • Outside of the city, check with your local municipality about composting options, visit this interactive map for food scrap programs and facilities across the state, and check out this DEC website about how to compost at home.

Talk about the environment

  • Consider using mealtime to discuss environmental issues that are important to you. Wonderful veggie recipes, composting tips, and new types of EV models are always great conversation starters! 
  • Make sure you come prepared with statistics or tips when informing family members of sustainable practices or pressing environmental issues. 
  • Don’t forget to give thanks to the planet that sustains us … even better when sharing gratitude with loved ones! 

Have a happy, safe, and sustainable Thanksgiving!

New Report Sees Barriers, Solutions, and Successes for NY’s Lead Pipe Replacement Programs

By Izel Talu

No sugar coating, there is no such thing as a “safe amount of lead” in drinking water. Lead is a metal that is toxic to humans and even trace amounts can have serious consequences on our health. Exposure to lead in drinking water is heavily associated with delayed neurological and physical development, learning disabilities, and increased behavioral issues in children. For adults, lead buildup has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, reproductive issues, and mood disorders. The reality is, these are not distant or abstract threats, as New York State has the 5th highest total lead service lines in the United States, affecting millions of residents daily.

With an estimated 555,696 active lead service lines (LSLs) in New York State alone, the burden of this issue is not equally distributed. The presence of these lines are heavily concentrated in low income or minority dominated communities where infrastructure has not been renewed. Due to the lack of funding in these areas, residents continue to rely on lead tainted water; ultimately making this an environmental justice issue. 

New York’s Effort to Replace LSLs

In recent years, New York state has enacted various programs and initiatives to kickstart their LSL replacement journey. A recent report, “Breaking Barriers to Lead Service Line Replacement in New York,” conducted by the Environmental Policy Innovation Center and Environmental Advocates New York, details the timeline of New York’s work towards replacing these lines, citing both legislative and financial milestones, as well as some of the roadblocks that have stunted progress. 

Lead Service Line Replacement Program (2017):

Enacted by the New York Service Department of Health, this program issued funding to local governments across the state to dig up these LSLs. From 2017 to 2019, $30 million was granted to 43 communities and allowed for over 3,000 lines to be replaced statewide. While this initiative proved to be a very productive start, this would only be a drop in the bucket regarding the estimated 552,000 lines that also need to be addressed. 

Lead Pipe Right to Know Act (2023): 

This law, a priority for NYLCV that was signed into law by Governor Hochul augments the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) policy concerning service line inventories, requiring all water utilities to submit an initial LSL inventory and summary to the New York Department of Health followed by an annual renewal of both. This law requires the Department of Health to publish these reports and create/link interactive maps for the inventories of systems serving more than 10,000 people. This effort would aim to increase public knowledge concerning the location and prevalence of lead pipes throughout the state. 

Part UU of New York State Budget’s Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation budget bill (2023): 

This legislation allows municipalities to issue bonds towards replacing both public and private lines under a thirty year “probable usefulness” clause. Additionally, this section of the bill would allow public schools  access to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a program that issues low interest financing for the replacement or repair of water infrastructure. 

 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Loan Forgiveness (2024):

A state-funded program enacted by Governor Kathy Hochul that would improve the affordability of LSL replacements. Over $90 million in loans were forgiven in low-income  communities across cities like Rochester and Poughkeepsie. In New York City, replacement of LSLs are currently offered to eligible homeowners in the Bronx and Queens; two especially affected boroughs in the metropolitan area. 

Where Gaps Arise 

While the combined effort of these measures have been appreciated and have contributed greatly to the overall goal of replacing all lead pipes, this report cites the demand of the LSL issues heavily overshadowing the supply of the funds issued. Given that a full replacement of an LSL, including both public and private sides of the line, costs between $7,500 to $25,000, the strategic use and acquisition of funds is vital. This would not be the only hindrance in progress either, as the task of replacing the private side LSLs, lack of clarity around permissible use of these municipal resources, challenges in accessing State Revolving Funds (SRFs), technological limitations, and an understaffed workforce to actually conduct these replacements have become persistent roadblocks as well. 

To address these issues, New York State has proposed two initiatives, the Find Lead Pipes Faster Act, introduced in May 2024 that would allow for water utilities to conduct free service line inspections, and the Lead Pipe Replacement Act introduced in April 2025. The Lead Pipe Replacement Act in particular holds particular promise to the statewide replacement of all LSLs, as it charts an equitable and efficient path to full removal of all lines in New York by 2037, with a centralized approach to removal by the water system with no direct charge to the customer/homeowner and a commitment to using copper piping. 

So What’s Next? 

 Through the analysis of the progress already made by the state and the issues that still pose difficulties, the report has proposed several recommendations to close these gaps and accelerate progress.

  • Financial Recommendations:
    • Leverage set-aside funding to help under-resourced communities and lower loan requirements necessary to facilitate replacement. 
    • Improve replacement program transparency and provide support to systems who cannot access State Revolving Funds.
    • Enable efficient funding, procurement, and contracting to implement cost-effective LSL replacements fueled by public funds
  • Legal Recommendations:
    • Authorize the use of municipal resources to enable accelerated private side LSL replacements.
    • Simplifying property access for LSL replacement by enacting automatic enrollment policies for property owners.
    • Channel state funds into LSL replacement financial gaps through codified bills, prioritizing funds for lower-income communities.

Success Ahead?

The strive to replace LSLs and provide safe and reliable water infrastructure across the state of New York is a rewarding ambition for all parties. By eliminating lead from drinking water in schools, homes, and communities statewide, New York would not only improve the quality of life and health of its own residents, but set an expectation for the rest of the nation to follow. The groundwork has already been set, now it’s time to build up towards lasting change and universal water safety. 

Izel Talu is a 2025 Fall Intern at NYLCV. She is a fourth-year student at New York University, majoring in International Relations and Data Science. To learn more about Izel, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/izel-talu-238175247 

Issue Brief: Road Salt Reduction

By Raquel Mack

The use of road salt to keep streets safe during winter storms has become an urgent environmental and public health concern. While salt is effective for melting ice and preventing dangerous driving conditions worldwide, including here in New York State, its overuse has significant public health and environmental consequences, especially regarding its impact on drinking water.

[We invite you to join us at noon on Thursday, October 30, for a Lunch & Learn event to explore how road salt pollution affects New York’s public health, environment, and infrastructure. RSVP here.]

When road salt, primarily sodium chloride, is applied in large amounts, it inevitably washes off into soil, streams, lakes, and groundwater. According to a joint report by the DEC and DOT, about half of the road salt used during winter runs off into surface waters through snowmelt and stormwater. This runoff can lead to elevated chloride levels in drinking water sources, posing serious risks to human health. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems, and liver conditions are especially vulnerable to the effects of excess salt because it can exacerbate their health conditions (Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, 2024).

Contaminated water threatens wildlife and aquatic ecosystems by disrupting the chemical balance of freshwater bodies, harming fish, amphibians, and plants. Across New York, growing evidence shows significant increases in chloride levels in streams and lakes across the region, sometimes exceeding thresholds considered safe for aquatic life (Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, 2024).

Salt infiltration threatens urban areas as well. It accelerates the corrosion of roads, bridges, and vehicles, leading to costly repairs and reduced infrastructure lifespan for municipalities statewide (Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, 2024). These expenses ultimately fall on taxpayers and can limit investment in other community needs.

Currently, some towns, including North Salem and Hague, are piloting solutions by using brine, a liquid mixture of salt and water, that requires less salt without compromising safety on the roads. Statewide programs like the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program provide funding and technical support for communities working to reduce salt pollution.

Recognizing the scale of the problem, New York lawmakers have introduced bill S.6976A (Harckham) / A.4481A (Jones) to establish a statewide Road Salt Reduction Council and Advisory Committee to promote coordinated efforts and consistent policies across the state.

We invite you to join us at noon on Thursday, October 30, for a Lunch & Learn event to explore how road salt pollution affects New York’s public health, environment, and infrastructure. We’ll highlight successful reduction efforts and share information to help communities protect our natural resources while maintaining safe roads. RSVP here.

Fighting Climate Change At Home

By Peter Aronson

With the chill of fall finally (or nearly) upon us, it’s a great time to consider how to fight climate change at home with energy efficient changes and upgrades.

Even small adjustments made by renters, homeowners and businesses, when added up town by town and city by city, can make a significant difference in reducing our collective carbon footprint. 

While the Trump Administration is rolling back the clean energy benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act, state and local governments offer financial incentives for a variety of energy-saving changes, such as the Comfort Home Program, Residential Energy Assessment Program, and the NYS Clean Heat Program, which are just a few that are listed on the NYSERDA website.  

The NYS Clean Heat program encourages residents, small businesses, and commercial and multifamily building owners to install cold climate air source heat pumps and energy efficient ground source heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The state has a tool to help you find a participating contractor to access the available rebates from your electric utility, available here. 

Here are some basic suggestions to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions at home:

  1. In winter lower your thermostat and in summer raise it;
  2. Change to smart thermostats, which allow for easier and energy-efficient heat and cooling regulation;
  3. Repair air leaks in windows and doors (This often can be done by installing weather stripping);
  4. Install energy efficient windows if you are a homeowner or ask your landlord to do it, if you rent;
  5. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs;
  6. Switch to energy-efficient electric appliances;
  7. Wash laundry in cold water and hang dry whenever possible;
  8. If a homeowner, install a solar roof;
  9. Use green cleaning products;
  10. If you don’t already do so, start recycling and composting. (Learn about NYC’s citywide curbside composting program)
  11. If a homeowner, replace an oil or gas furnace with an electric heat pump, or if a renter, encourage your landlord to do so; and
  12. And do a little spring cleaning in the fall. Go through your closets. If you don’t need certain items, donate it to charity, instead of throwing it in the garbage, where it will end up in a landfill. If you need something, buy something gently used at a vintage shop. 

Other Resources

  • Con Ed also explains financial incentives attached to some of the improvements.
  • The UN provides Act Now tips for greening your home and life and helpful renewable-energy info.
  • GreenAmerica provides links for how to make many of the changes listed above and where to buy certain green products.
  • NPR offers a 20-minute tutorial on how to green your home.
  • If you want to calculate your families’ current carbon footprint, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a carbon footprint calculator.

And our final thought. Always remember the four Rs, because they apply to your home, as well as every aspect of life (and it can stand as your mantra for the week): Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle.  

Peter Aronson, a volunteer writer at the New York League of Conservation Voters since September 2022, is a former journalist and retired attorney. He is the author of Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene, a novel for middle-grade readers about kids fighting global warming. Kirkus Reviews, in a starred review, wrote: “A scathing work and an essential blueprint for youth battling climate change.” To read more about Peter, visit his website www.peteraronsonbooks.com or to purchase his book, click here.

NYC General Election 2025: What’s on the ballot? 

By Georgia Good

In New York City, the general election is coming up. Election day is November 4, and early voting runs from October 25- November 2. 

This year, there are six proposals on the ballot. Ballot proposals are suggested changes to the New York State Constitution and the City Charter, the State and City’s governing documents. Ballot Proposal 1 would change the State Constitution, and Proposals 2 to 6 would change the NYC Charter. 

Here, we’re outlining each of the proposals, so you can decide what changes you want to see happen.

  • Prop 1: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land 

This would allow the construction of new ski and biathlon trails in the Olympic Sports Complex, which is in the Adirondack forest preserve in Essex County (upstate New York). The proposal also requires the State to add another 2,500 acres of forest land to the preserve. 

Right now, there are strict rules around construction on state-owned and protected land. This is a statewide ballot proposal because it would change the State Constitution to allow for this construction. 

Supporters say: This would bring current land use at the Sports Complex under compliance, and would adequately protect forest land. It would prohibit tourist attractions at Mount Van Hoevenberg (e.g. zip lines, hotels, condominiums, off-road vehicle rentals) and ban commercial buildings above 2,200 feet.

Opponents say: New York’s ‘forever wild’ protections should not be a suggestion. Once we weaken these constitutional safeguards, making exceptions to allow new construction on protected lands, it becomes easier to do it again. 

  • Prop 2 (NYC only): Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City

This would roll out two new processes to fast-track affordable housing: the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) Zoning Action for Affordable Housing Projects, and the Affordable Housing Fast Track. Right now, most housing projects must go through a seven-month review process, Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). This requires input from the local Community Board, Borough President, City Planning Commission (CPC), City Council, and the Mayor.

The first process would empower the BSA to issue project-specific approvals for publicly financed affordable housing that meet the required findings after a 60-day review by the affected Community Board and a 30-day review with a public hearing held by the BSA. Projects that do not meet the findings may receive one 60-day extension for additional studies or project modifications to seek approval at a second hearing.

The second process would speed up the review process for projects that deliver affordable housing in the 12 community districts with the lowest rates of affordable housing development. The Community Board and local Borough President would be able to review projects at the same time. This would be followed by a 30- to 45-day review by the CPC. The CPC would have final project approval, not the City Council. Under the proposal, the City would assess the rate of affordable housing production in each community district every five years, and then fast-track projects that include permanently affordable housing in the 12 Community Districts with the lowest such rates.

Supporters say: This is a solution to New York’s housing crisis. It’s a necessary, common-sense reform – it would accelerate the construction of affordable housing, reduce politicized barriers, and expand access to homes for low- and moderate-income residents. 

Opponents say: This would weaken public oversight in housing decisions – taking the City Council out of the process reduces opportunities for community input. Alternative, clearer policies would ensure truly affordable housing that prioritizes people over the real estate industry.

  • Prop 3 (NYC only): Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects

Similar to Proposal 2, this would create a faster review process for certain land use projects. Right now, most land use projects must also go through the seven-month-long ULURP. The proposal would create an Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) for smaller projects, to prepare New York for future challenges like extreme weather.

This would involve a 60-day review period for the local Community Board and Borough President, then a 30-day review and final decision by the CPC, not the City Council. This expedited review procedure is reserved for specifically enumerated applications. These generally include applications relating to modest zoning changes for housing; acquisitions and site selections for resiliency projects and open space; sale of City property that is undevelopable and unusable; acquisitions for voluntary flood buyouts; and leases for solar energy on public land. Only projects that categorically lack potential significant adverse environmental impacts on communities are eligible for the expedited procedure described in this ballot question.

Supporters say: While the current system favors large, controversial, profit-focused developments, this would make it easier for modest housing developments to be built. It would also speed up climate resilience projects – helping prepare the city for increased flooding, heatwaves, electrical grid brownouts and the need for clean energy projects. 

Opponents say: This removes power from the City Council and reduces community decision-making power, while using misleading and overly broad language, like “modest”, which developers could take advantage of. 

  • Prop 4 (NYC only): Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation 

The proposal would create an Affordable Housing Appeals Board that would include the Mayor, Speaker of the City Council, and local Borough President to review Council actions that reject or change certain applications creating affordable housing. If two of the three members agree, the Appeals Board Projects would have the power to reverse the City Council’s decision if the City Council rejects or changes an affordable housing project.

Right now, most of these projects must go through ULURP, which ends with a City Council vote. The mayor can veto this decision, and the City Council can overturn the veto. This new Appeals Board aims to strike a balance between local, boroughwide and citywide perspectives on the production of affordable housing. It does so by empowering the Speaker, affected Borough President and Mayor to review and reverse City Council decisions that disapprove or modify land-use applications that directly facilitate the creation of affordable housing.

Supporters say: This is a step to build more affordable housing across New York. Through the current City Council practice of “member deference,” council members can veto housing projects even in the face of widespread support and clear benefits to the city, with no accountability. Shifting decision-making responsibility would increase housing affordability and equity. 

Opponents say: By centralizing power to a few city leaders, community members would lose their power to influence development decisions. Council members should be able to represent their neighborhoods’ interests; this change risks catering to developers’ interests, government corruption, gentrification and displacement, without leading to the housing that residents need. 

  • Prop 5 (NYC only): Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations

New York City’s Map legally defines street names, widths, and lines. Right now, it’s managed by five Topographical Bureaus in each Borough President’s office. The City Map consists of 8,000 separately maintained paper maps. 

This proposal would require the Department of City Planning (DCP) to consolidate these paper maps into one centralized, digitized City Map.

Supporters say: This would speed up months- or years-long processes that depend on city maps, like infrastructure and housing projects. It would make public information more readily available, especially to New Yorkers with mobility or vision disabilities.

Opponents say: The Topographical Bureaus are managed by staff who understand their community, delivering fast, direct service to residents, based on real expertise and human interaction. DCP is ill-equipped to take on this work – it could create further service backlogs, weaken accountability and make it harder for New Yorkers to get help.

  • Prop 6 (NYC only): Move Local Elections to Presidential Years to Increase Voter Participation

This would move election dates for city offices (for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council) to the same year as federal presidential elections. 

Right now, city elections are held on odd-numbered years and federal presidential elections are held on even-numbered years, every four years. Aligning the election cycles is intended to increase voter awareness and engagement. It would require a change to New York State law, too, before it could be implemented. 

Supporters say: This would significantly increase voter turnout and representation, so voters are more reflective of the city. Local voters need a stronger voice: presidential election turnout was 60% in 2020, versus 23% for local elections in 2021. Other cities that have enacted this change (Los Angeles, Baltimore, Phoenix, El Paso and Austin) are now more inclusive, representative democracies. 

Opponents say: Local issues deserve the focused attention of an election year distinct from presidential elections. The calendar is not the issue: rebuilding trust and strengthening civic engagement would better address the issue of low voter turnout.

Interested in learning more? 

Watch our webinar: What’s on my ballot in NYC? And read more about each proposal from NYC Votes, and even more about Proposals 2-6 from the NYC Charter Commission. 

You can read this blog from our sister organization, NYLCV, to learn which of these proposals they support.  

Register to vote by October 25.

Georgia Good has been Communications Fellow at the New York League of Conservation Voters since February 2025. She’s a Steinhardt Graduate Scholar in Environmental Conservation Education at NYU, with a focus on climate communications and advocacy. She’s had comms roles at Climate Arc, the Cambridge Centre for Climate Engagement, and Mercy Corps, and has a BA in English from UCL, UK. 

Electric Buses are Making Their Way Through New York State!

By Liam McGowan

Electric school buses (ESB’s) are rolling in, and with them, significant beneficial changes. Brand new data from the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Carleton University solidifies electric school bus benefits over diesel buses. 

This new study from WRI shines a light on what states and counties stand to gain from a transition to electric school buses. According to WRI’s ESB Initiative, annual societal impacts will be upwards of $1.6 billion nationwide, with $190.68 million for New York State alone.
These metrics are “among the first to model and quantify the county-level health and climate impacts of using electric school buses instead of aging diesel-burning buses,” the report states. “By comparing these costs at the local level, the data provides annual societal benefit figures in dollar terms for every county in the contiguous United States.”

Some states will benefit more than others, primarily Florida, Texas, and right here in New York. These states – with large, dense populations – have been using older diesel buses for longer, meaning a switch to electric would have a profound impact. 

New York accounts for four of the top ten counties in the US projected to benefit the most from the switch to ESB’s: Queens, Kings, Nassau, and Suffolk. 

The health impacts were “estimated by determining the excess mortality due to exposure to fine particulate matter caused by these school buses,”  according to the report. To understand these impacts in dollar figures, they used a sociological metric – the Value of a Statistical Life –  that “looks at how much society is willing to pay for small reductions to the risk of dying from health conditions that may be caused by environmental pollution.”

The climate impacts of diesel school buses was measured using the Social Cost of Carbon, an “established metric for the societal damage from extreme heat, sea level rise, food insecurity, and other impacts of climate change.” 

Downstate, for example, those calculations translate to $48.2 million in health and climate costs in Kings County, $36.18 million in Queens County, nearly $12 million in Nassau, and nearly $20 million in Suffolk. In Western New York, in Erie County and Monroe County, that translates to $5.85 million and $5.15 million in costs, respectively. 

And because the The WRI study – which is ongoing – currently leaves out some diesel pollutants like ozone and nitrous oxide, it’s possible that the health benefits from electric buses might actually exceed current expectations.

NYLCV/EF has long championed the benefits of ESB’s. 

We are a proud member of the New York City and New York State Clean School Bus Coalitions, and we also collaborate with key partners like the Alliance for Electric School Buses (AESB) and CHISPA, who works with communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms all across the U.S.

In 2021, when New York City committed to a full transition to electric school buses by 2035 –  with purchases limited to electric models starting in 2027 – and when New York State followed suit in 2022, environmental and public health advocates celebrated it as a major win. Since the passing of that legislation, NYLCVEF has been engaging with school districts and the general public to educate about the benefits of ESB’s and establish best practices to help the transition materialize.

NYLCVEF, together with NYCSBUS, WRI, Calstart, and Bronx Community College, won the NYSERDA Clean Transportation Prize in 2022. The winning (and ongoing) project, “Electrifying School Buses in the Bronx and Beyond,” received $8 million in prize money to help provide a framework to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses in New York City and throughout the State.

The selection of NYCSBUS’s Zerega Depot in the Bronx for the first phase of the project was important, as the surrounding community ranks in the 98th percentile nationally for air pollution caused by diesel engines. 

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, one of these energy efficient vehicles releases 68% less greenhouse gas emissions than a diesel school bus. Expand the number of buses in the fleet and this generates a significant reduction in terms of atmospheric CO2 released. 

But less emissions does not mean less power. Per charge, these energy efficient buses have a range of 100-210 miles, whereas the typical travel distance needed for school buses around NYC is just 80 miles.

Electric buses have proven to bring major health benefits, primarily for schoolchildren. When a diesel bus stalls, emissions from the tailpipe become trapped inside the bus cabin. Ambient air pollution inside a diesel bus can be 4 to 12 times higher than directly outside. This can cause health complications for young children, especially impacting and aggravating those with asthma. 

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma is the leading cause of chronic disease related school absenteeism, with asthma rates typically being higher in communities of color. For example, Asthma rates for children under 18 in the South Bronx – where the Zerega bus depot is located – is 13.3%. That’s nearly twice the national average.

Leaving behind diesel buses will improve the children’s health and lead to higher school attendance rates and more successful learning outcomes.
The new data from WRI makes an already strong case even stronger: Electric school buses will undoubtedly bring substantial health, environmental, and economic benefits to communities across the   country, and especially here in New York. 

The switch to electric school buses is a marathon, not a sprint. Scaling up is achievable, and starting small – but starting now – is key to ensuring a healthier future for our children. 

Helpful resources: 

WRI Study

NYSERDA Electric School Bus Roadmap

NYSERDA FlexTech Clean Transportation Study

DRVE Fleet Analytics Tool

Liam McGowan has been a communications intern at the New York League of Conservation Voters since September 2025. He recently graduated from the University of Vermont in May 2025 with a B.S. in Environmental Science (Biology concentration). During his time at UVM he assisted with projects in the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory. To learn more about Liam, visit his LinkedIn page located here.

Green Tips: Fall Harvest

Fall is often ripe with an abundance of food and filled with activities such as apple picking and pumpkin pie baking. However, with abundance also comes waste, with nearly 40 percent of the food supply in the United States estimated to be thrown away each year. Not only is food waste costly, but it is also estimated to be responsible for up to 11 percent of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and the production of wasted food in the United States is equivalent to the greenhouse emissions of 37 million cars, according to the website RTS.

With some careful planning, though, a lot of this food waste can be eliminated. Below are some tips to avoid wasting food while enjoying the abundance of the fall season. 

  • An excellent way to prevent food waste is to utilize all parts of the vegetable. For example, if using pumpkins to make a pumpkin pie, you could also bake the pumpkin seeds. Eating the skin of fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes is also known to have nutritional benefits.  
    • Another great way to use leftover seeds is to plant them in your own garden and create your own fall harvest crop for the next year. 
  • If any food scraps remain, such as apple cores, compost them instead of throwing them away. If composting larger food scraps, be sure to cut them up into smaller pieces so they biodegrade more quickly (composting jack-o-lanterns after the season is also an excellent way to dispose of them!) 
  • Food preservation is also a great way to prevent food waste. Canning fall fruits such as plums or apples will make the harvest last into spring and winter, and you can also pickle vegetables such as beets, turnips, and Brussel sprouts. If canning or pickling seems like a lot of effort, cutting up and freezing fall fruits and vegetables is also a viable option.
  • Be mindful of expiration dates and the quantity of food when buying. Plan out recipes for the week and only buy foods you know you will use, and make sure to only buy foods you know you will be able to eat by their expiration date. 
  • If you do have leftovers, eat them for lunch the next day or incorporate them into a new dish for dinner, such as in a soup or salad. 
  • To help reduce food waste in the supply chain, consider buying imperfect or surplus fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be thrown away. This is also a great cost-effective option to save money on still-edible and nutritious produce. 

These are just some tips for reducing food waste during the fall harvest. We hope you will commit to being more environmentally friendly while enjoying the season!

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