Department of Environmental Protection
Coverage of Department of Environmental Protection in the Nexus archive.
- From 6 staffers to 75: Mamdani expands coastal resilience workforce amid growing flood threat
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expanding New York City’s coastal resilience bureau from six to 75 staff members with a $43.2 million investment to manage flood-protection infrastructure. The Department of Environmental Protection will hire 69 specialists to operate systems like the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project and the Battery Coastal Resilience project, which aim to protect neighborhoods from flooding.
- Unhealthy air quality continues for portions of the tri-state
An Air Quality Alert is active in New Jersey due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, raising the Air Quality Index to 'very unhealthy' levels. The Department of Environmental Protection reported these conditions as of Friday.
- Air Quality Alert issued for portions of New Jersey
A Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been issued for Middlesex, Monmouth, and Mercer counties in New Jersey by the Department of Environmental Protection. The alert, indicating potentially unhealthy air pollution levels, remains in effect through Wednesday evening.
- Garrity lays out plan to ‘unleash’ the commonwealth’s natural gas industry
Stacy Garrity, the Republican nominee for governor, plans to end a state ban on new fracking sites on her first day in office to boost Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry. She envisions expanding gas production and exports, contrasting with current state policies that include a moratorium on drilling in state parks and Delaware River Watershed. The race against Governor Josh Shapiro centers on energy policy amid rising electricity prices and national fuel concerns.
- New Jersey delay 'real rules' for flood regulations
New Jersey has delayed the implementation of new flood regulations, known as the 'real rules,' for a year due to strong opposition. The Department of Environmental Protection had proposed the rules to protect homes from flooding, but the Sherrill administration has paused them.
- NYC must notify residents when sewage discharges into rivers and creeks occur, court rules
A New York state appeals court ruled that NYC must notify residents whenever sewage is discharged into rivers and waterways, following a 2019 lawsuit by environmental group Riverkeeper. The decision requires officials to notify the public within 4 hours of any sewage overflow, expanding prior notifications that only occurred when water quality standards were violated.
- Manhole mystery: Brooklyn sewer divers likely on the hunt for stuff you’ve flushed down the drain, sources say
A group of individuals entering manholes in Brooklyn are believed to be scavengers searching for valuables flushed down drains, according to police sources. Videos of the activity sparked conspiracy theories, but authorities confirmed no evidence of terrorism or other criminal intent. Similar incidents occurred previously, including an April 2025 arrest of three men for the same behavior.
- Videos showing groups of people entering NYC sewers at night baffle residents and investigators
Security cameras in New York City captured groups of people entering and exiting sewer tunnels via maintenance holes in Brooklyn and Queens, prompting police investigations. The incidents involved individuals wearing gear like headlamps and waterproof clothing, with authorities warning of the dangers of unauthorized sewer access.
- Judge orders NYC officials to testify about why City Hall initially said records on Lower Manhattan air quality after 9/11 didn’t exist
A judge ordered two NYC officials to testify about why the Department of Environmental Protection initially claimed no records existed on Lower Manhattan air quality after 9/11, before later providing 68 boxes of documents. Advocacy group 9/11 Health Watch sued the city over its refusal to release records, seeking transparency on how the city communicated air safety post-attack.
- NYC faces rainy holiday weekend
New York City officials are implementing measures to prepare for potential localized flooding during a rainy holiday weekend. The Department of Environmental Protection is cleaning catch basins, and the NYPD is on standby to assist with traffic and stranded civilians. The city aims to avoid flooding issues seen earlier in the week, including subway suspensions and flooded underpasses.