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Events & Activities

When: 10 AM
Where: East New York LIRR Entrance (Van Sinderen Avenue & Atlantic Avenue)

Join NYPIRG, other transit advocates, and New York City Councilmember Sandy Nurse to push for repairs to the East New York LIRR station in Brooklyn!

A few weeks ago, the MTA sent a letter to contractors that it will no longer be issuing new construction contracts due to the uncertainty of capital funding from congestion pricing, as litigation is pending. More specifically, this will put an immediate halt on signal upgrades on the A, B, C, D, and F subway lines, along with projects that would make 70 stations ADA compliant.

We hope that you can join us!
When: 11 AM to 4 PM
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany

NYPIRG participated in a pivotal day of action and rallied in support of the NY HEAT Act!

We joined environmental activists, advocates, legislative champions, and everyday New Yorkers in Albany to solidify the NY HEAT Act's inclusion in the state budget for cleaner heat and lower bills! Together, we will free New Yorkers from outdated rules forcing us to burn fossil fuels, and move us toward the 100% renewable future we deserve.

When: All day
Where: Albany

NYPIRG students headed to Albany to fight for free public college tuition, better financial aid, more mental health services, and MORE!

After years of stagnant state funding and ever-increasing tuition, it is vital that we not return to the status quo in higher education. New York must usher in a new era that recognizes that investing in higher education boosts racial and economic equity and strengthens our economy. Students from across the state headed to Albany to fight for free and fully funded CUNY and SUNY, more financial aid, and additional class offerings, advisers, and mental health counselors.

When: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany

NYPIRG, Beyond Plastics, and other members of the New York is Not Disposable Coalition rallied and met with state representatives to urge them to pass a strong Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill.

When: 12 PM
Where: Virtual (Zoom)

NYPIRG, NYenvironcom, and The Serica Initiative had an online discussion exploring the state of ground-level recycling, some of the changes since China greatly restricted imports of recyclables in 2018, and what this all means for the collectors and stewards of many of our post-consumer recyclable materials in the circular economy. We looked at the history and culture of these recyclers, how immigration has been a part of this important story, the positive role of these recyclers in our community and for the environment, the greater industry picture, and recognized some of the members of this community with the 1st Annual Recycling Efforts and Achievements at the Local Level (REALL) awards.

This online event included speakers Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG; Ryan Castalia, Executive Director of Sure We Can; and Samantha MacBride, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs at Baruch College of the City University of New York. The event was moderated by Alex Scilla, Founder/Director of NYenvironcom.

When: All day
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany

Make Corporate Climate Polluters Pay!

NYPIRG – along with youth, faith, and environmental groups – joined with legislators to support the Climate Change Superfund Act, which would make Big Oil companies help foot the skyrocketing bill for climate change and resiliency, currently borne by local governments and state taxpayers.

During the news conference, NYPIRG released our video featuring a Long Island homeowner talking about the climate costs burden on taxpayers and the need for Big Oil to pay.

WATCH OUR VIDEO AND TAKE ACTION!
When: All day
Where: New York State Capitol in Albany

NYPIRG joined a coalition rally and lobby day for the NY HEAT Act, to help the state's transition away from fossil fuels while saving New Yorkers money on utility bills. NYPIRG advocates, students, and Donald K. Ross Future Leaders Program interns rallied with legislative champions and met with 60+ legislators throughout the day.

A huge win for New Yorkers!

Governor Hochul signed the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act, a historic bill that removes medical debt from credit reports. Hunter NYPIRG Student Anthony Calafiura spoke alongside the governor before the signing.

When: 11 AM
Where: Union Square in Manhattan

The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign rallied for Congestion Pricing NOW!
As the New York City region's population and commerce have grown, so have traffic and gridlock. New York State and City officials, stakeholders, and advocacy groups have conducted numerous studies over the past 45 years to determine the most effective way to address congestion – particularly in the most congested area, the Manhattan Central Business District (CBD). These studies overwhelmingly pointed to congestion pricing as the most effective tool.
 
Faster buses, cleaner air, and transit improvements are on the horizon! Congestion pricing will not only reduce traffic and cut pollution, it will also raise billions of dollars to fix the aging transit system to improve commutes for transit riders, a majority of whom come from marginalized communities or low-income households. We celebrate the TMRB's recommendations to implement congestion pricing, and call on the MTA to adopt them swiftly to support equitable and reliable mass transit for all of us.
When: 4 PM
Where: BQE Trench Area in Williamsburg, South 3rd Street & Rodney Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

NYPIRG joined the NY Renews coalition for The People’s Climate Justice Budget campaign launch!

The New York State climate movement has a winning vision: green union jobs, clean air, lower utility costs, and real community-led climate and justice solutions. Passing this critical budget proposal would fund community-led environmental justice projects across New York State, including transforming the South Williamsburg BQE trench into a vital public space and park – and it will be funded in part by the Climate Change Superfund Act, making polluters pay!

When: 6 to 9 PM
Where: City Winery in Manhattan

NYPIRG IS 50 YEARS OLD!

That is an incredible testament to the dedication, hard work, and luck that has allowed us to meet the half-century mark. It is quite a milestone – which we marked with the NYPIRG 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The event was a rousing success, and we all had a wonderful time celebrating NYPIRG’s decades of tireless work for the public interest, reconnecting with friends and colleagues from years past, and honoring our 2023 Changemaker Award recipients – including renowned author and activist Jane Fonda!

We are pleased to share these event photos and this commemorative video that highlights NYPIRG's decades of tireless work for the public interest.

Thank you so much to everyone who was involved – our honorees, current and former students and staff, friends, colleagues, and supporters – for your generous support and steadfast commitment to our crucial mission.

Thanks again, and we look forward to the work ahead!
When: 12 PM
Where: Started at West 56th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, proceeded to the United Nations headquarters for a rally

NYPIRG marched to end fossil fuels!

With wildfire smoke choking the air that we breathe, hurricanes and floods threatening our homes, and toxic pollution making us sick, it has never been more urgent to end our dependence on the leading cause of these crises – fossil fuels.

In New York this September, the United Nations gathered world leaders for a first-of-its-kind Climate Ambition Summit to demand that nations stop developing new oil, gas, and coal projects and phase out fossil fuels once and for all. With his recent approvals for mega-polluting fossil fuel projects, President Biden must immediately reverse course to earn his seat at the table. But it will take all of us acting together to make sure that he does!

Thank you for your help!
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Join the fight to remove barriers to voting and to increase voter participation.
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Join the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign to fight for better subway and bus service and for investment in transit infrastructure.
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NY budget proposals throw ‘make polluters pay’ environmental legislation into uncertainty  (WAER, March 15, 2024)
New York legislators and transparency advocates call for stronger Freedom of Information Laws  (QNS.com, March 14, 2024)
Statements In Support Of The 2024 Senate Majority One-House Budget Proposal  (Harlem World Magazine, March 13, 2024)
Calling for change to NY's 'broken' public records request system  (Niagara Gazette, March 12, 2024)
Anne Rabe of the New York Public Interest Research Group about the differences in climate-related aspects of the budgets proposed by the New York Assembly and the New York Senate  (Hudson Mohawk Magazine, March 12, 2024)
Will the Legislature "kick the can" on climate costs?  (WAMC, March 11, 2024)
During 'Sunshine Week', good government groups urge reform of New York's public records law  (The Buffalo News, March 11, 2024)
Advocates seek ban on 'unfair' business practices in N.Y.  (Albany Times-Union, March 10, 2024)
A Superfund for climate? These states are pushing for it.  (E&E News, March 6, 2024)
Dealing with New York's "other" crisis: The trash tsunami  (WAMC, March 4, 2024)
Legislature must address 'junk fees' this session  (Albany Times-Union, March 4, 2024)
SUNY, CUNY advocates call for more funding in state budget  (Albany Times-Union, February 29, 2024)
Which states could get new congressional maps in 2024?  (ABC News, February 29, 2024)
New York's consequential week  (WAMC, February 26, 2024)
New York legislators give thumbs down to IRC-drawn congressional maps  (Spectrum News, February 26, 2024)
NY still waiting on Congressional map approval  (WABC News 10, February 23, 2024)
New York lawmakers urged to reject Hochul's power grab  (The Center Square, February 21, 2024)
HealthyNYC: A Model for Health Policies in Other Cities  (Medriva, February 21, 2024)
NYPIRG survey indicates N.Y. students need more assistance with healthcare  (The Daily Orange, February 20, 2024)
Cuomo is back in court to protect his $5 million book deal  (WAMC, February 19, 2024)
News Archive
NYPIRG and Other Transparency Advocates Urge Legislature and Governor to Strengthen Freedom of Information Law for Sunshine Week
Release: Assembly One-House Budget Bill Shows House Rejected Inclusion of Popular “Make Polluters Pay” Climate Change Superfund Act. Organizations Ask: Why Are the Assembly and Governor Shielding Big Oil Climate Polluters Instead of Protecting NYS Taxpayers?
News Release: Youth, Faith & Environmental Groups Join with Legislators to Call for “Make Polluters Pay” Bill Requiring Big Oil to Fund Climate Crisis Costs to be Included in Senate and Assembly One-House Budgets Also: Check out NYPIRG's New Video Illustrating the Need to Make Corporate Polluters Pay
Video Release: Make Polluters Pay!
NEWS RELEASE: NYPIRG Releases “Small Claims, Small Changes: A Survey of Albany Small Claims Court 45 Years Later”
A NYPIRG report documenting a survey of litigants who participated in cases in the City of Albany Small Claims Court in 2021 shows the challenges facing consumers using the system.
NEWS RELEASE: NYPIRG Reacts to Governor Hochul's Budget Plan

Over 300 Business, Civic, Environmental, and Youth Groups Call on Governor Hochul to Modernize State Returnable Container Law (“Bottle Bill”)

Groups Urge Inclusion in the State Budget Due to Need for Enhanced Enforcement and Immediate Action to Increase Current Redeemed Beverage Container “Handling Fee”

NYPIRG Statement on the Passing of Sidney Wolfe, MD, Founder of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group
Today, a coalition of elected officials, youth leaders, and community organizations led by NYPIRG called on Governor Hochul to include the Climate Change Superfund Act in her upcoming budget. The Climate Superfund assesses the largest oil companies for the state's mounting climate-related expenses and does so in a way that protects the public from increased costs.
RELEASE: Another Storm, More Costs to NY Taxpayers: Will Governor Hochul Make Big Oil Pay? A coalition of groups today called on Governor Hochul to make the oil companies pick up the tab for the costs of NY's climate damages after another deadly storm that caused widespread damage to New York State.
NYPIRG and a coalition of environmental organizations and local elected officials today released a review of the climate costs facing New York City and called on Governor Hochul to make the biggest oil companies – not local taxpayers – pay to cover climate damages
NYPIRG Celebrated Its Five Decades of Victories and College Student Empowerment
Author and Activist Jane Fonda, Community Service Society’s David Jones, State Senator Liz Krueger, U.S. Sen. Schumer’s State Director Martin Brennan, and New Deal Strategies’ Camille Rivera Received NYPIRG's “changemaker” Awards
Climate Superfund News Conferences: Taxpayer Tally of Climate Costs Since 8/2022 is $2.7 Billion
NYPIRG Statement on the Death of Ryan Thoresen Carson
The biblical rains that are devastating parts of the state are fresh evidence that the costs of adapting New York's infrastructure to the world climate’s "new abnormal" will be staggering. Legislation -- approved by the Senate (S.2129A) -- would require the largest oil companies to help pick up the tab and do it in a manner that will stop them from passing the costs on to consumers. Read NYPIRG's statement on downstate's devastating floods.
Advocates and Business call on Governor Hochul and DEC to release grant funds to struggling Bottle Redemption Businesses
Thousands Join March to End Fossil Fuels, Demand Biden Declare Climate Emergency & Phase Out Plan
NYers face hundreds of millions of dollars in climate costs while big oil racks up huge profits, nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars over past 30 months
NYPIRG 50th Anniversary, Celebrating Five Decades of Victories and College Student Empowerment, Will Be Held on October 13th in NYC – Author and Activist Jane Fonda, Community Service Society's David Jones, State Senator Liz Krueger, U.S. Sen. Schumer's State Director Martin Brennan, and New Deal Strategies' Camille Rivera to Receive NYPIRG's "Changemaker" Awards
Reports & Features Archive