At the close of 2022 and beginning of 2023,1 Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law two sets of important amendments to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)2 and the Uniform Procedures Act (UPA).3 Together these amendments will require state and local agencies to incorporate consideration of environmental justice into their approval processes through SEQR, and for DEC … Continued

On Election Day in 2021, New York’s voters added Section 19 to the state’s constitutional Bill of Rights. They reaffirmed a human birthright to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment. New York’s constitutional Bill of Rights now guarantees the liberty that “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and … Continued

As many articles in this issue note, in November 2021 New York voters chose to amend the New York Constitution. This was not just an amendment for a procedural issue, but an addition to the Bill of Rights—the amendment enshrines the liberty that “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and … Continued

The recent events in East Palestine, Ohio involving a train crash and the release of toxic chemicals publicly illustrates the slow and inadequate response of the federal and state environmental agencies to address public concerns regarding possible exposure to toxic chemicals in the air, surface water, and groundwater. Apparently, the fire was allowed to burn, … Continued

In November 2021, New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly to amend Article I of the State Constitution—the Bill of Rights.1 The newly added Article I, § 19 is very short—just one sentence. In its entirety, the amendment reads: “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.”2 This language, commonly called “the Green Amendment,” is both … Continued