Department of Environmental Protection

As Battery Fires Mount, Sanitation Department Scrambles to Deal with the Hazardous Aftermath

Feb. 20, 2023, 5:00 a.m.Feb. 19, 2023, 10:45 a.m.

A DSNY facility in Gravesend, Brooklyn that stored damaged batteries reached capacity last year, leading the city to issue an emergency procurement to remove them.

Climate Change

Rising Groundwater Threatens New York City — Researchers to Study How Much

Jan. 18, 2023, 5:00 a.m.Jan. 18, 2023, 4:01 p.m.

Water tables that rise with sea levels can inundate basements, ruin underground infrastructure and render anti-flooding strategies ineffective. After a nearly decade-long hiatus, the feds are starting up monitoring again.

Weather

Ida Flood Victims Face Another Storm Season With Sandbags and Bad Sewers

Aug. 31, 2022, 7:30 p.m.Sept. 1, 2022, 3:01 p.m.

While officials work toward sewer and drain upgrades and ‘green infrastructure’ to absorb water, people in at-risk neighborhoods know they are vulnerable.

Utilities

With Prices Up Everywhere, Water Bills On the Rise, Too

May 22, 2022, 9:19 p.m.May 22, 2022, 9:19 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection has floated the biggest rate hike since 2014. The public is invited to weigh in two days this week.

Utilities

State Approves Massive Electricity Transmission Lines to Power Climate Goals

April 14, 2022, 7:46 p.m.April 16, 2022, 10:49 a.m.

One line will bring down dam-generated electricity from Quebec, and another will feed the city with solar, wind and hydropower-created juice from Upstate. Without them, state and city climate targets were merely a pipe dream.

Climate Change

Oft Overlooked on Brooklyn-Queens Border, The Hole Shows Risks of Ignoring Environment

April 4, 2022, 7:39 p.m.April 11, 2022, 2:56 p.m.

A low-lying neighborhood where most residents aren’t connected to the city’s sewer system is struggling to transform itself. But some experts question whether investments to keep people living in a fundamentally flood-prone area are wise.

Environment

Mayor’s Map Showed Most of Ida’s Victims Lived Where Rainfall Was Riskiest

Sept. 3, 2021, 6:10 p.m.Sept. 7, 2021, 7:13 a.m.

Locations flagged in May match spots where basement apartment-dwellers drowned in flash floods Wednesday night. De Blasio says he’s accelerating alerts in advance of heavy rains.

Weather

Ida-Deluged NYC Drainage System All But Forgotten in Climate Battle

Sept. 3, 2021, 5:56 p.m.Sept. 8, 2021, 9:34 a.m.

Recent projects have expanded sewer capacity in some neighborhoods. But antiquated storm pipes leave the city vulnerable to the new normal of massive rain storms. “We need to rainproof New York City,” one expert said.

Weather

How to Clean Up After Ida: A Guide for the Flooded

Sept. 3, 2021, 12:03 p.m.March 14, 2024, 2:21 p.m.

What you should know about safely putting your place back together, where to look for financial help and whether renters insurance covers flood damage. (Answer: Rarely.)

Covid-19

Researchers Find Signs of COVID-19 Mutations in NYC Sewage, Pointing to Possible Dog and Rat Infections

July 29, 2021, 4:54 p.m.July 29, 2021, 8:43 p.m.

Scientists studying coronavirus in local wastewater say that city environmental officials initially had “zero willingness to help explore this potential public health risk.” Officials stress that the findings are preliminary.

Department of Environmental Protection

As Battery Fires Mount, Sanitation Department Scrambles to Deal with the Hazardous Aftermath

Rising Groundwater Threatens New York City — Researchers to Study How Much

Ida Flood Victims Face Another Storm Season With Sandbags and Bad Sewers

With Prices Up Everywhere, Water Bills On the Rise, Too

State Approves Massive Electricity Transmission Lines to Power Climate Goals

Oft Overlooked on Brooklyn-Queens Border, The Hole Shows Risks of Ignoring Environment

Mayor’s Map Showed Most of Ida’s Victims Lived Where Rainfall Was Riskiest

Ida-Deluged NYC Drainage System All But Forgotten in Climate Battle

How to Clean Up After Ida: A Guide for the Flooded

Researchers Find Signs of COVID-19 Mutations in NYC Sewage, Pointing to Possible Dog and Rat Infections

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