Residents in upstate New York face setbacks in their efforts to use the state’s Green Amendment to block an expansion of New York’s largest landfill, as the state argues it cannot compel environmental enforcement through the amendment.
Peter Mantius reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) insists it has sole discretion over landfill permits, arguing the Green Amendment does not override its authority.
- Residents filed lawsuits to block Seneca Meadows’ expansion, citing health risks and the amendment’s promise of clean air and a healthful environment.
- Courts are debating the amendment's scope, with mixed outcomes for residents challenging state and landfill actions.
Key quote:
“No polluting entity has a right to desecrate the environment. It is not an entitlement they own.”
— Maya van Rossum, founder of Green Amendments for the Generations
Why this matters:
The interpretation of the Green Amendment is important for environmental justice and determining whether citizens can use constitutional rights to force stronger pollution controls. Its application will shape future legal battles over environmental protection in New York.
