NYC looking at sewage treatment as source of renewable energy

I think it's incredible that New York City is thinking of more ways to make money out of our wastewater treatment by-products. This type of local innovation that helps the country take bigger strides towards clean(er)* energy.

Think about what's going on here: NYC collects all of our wastewater (via combined sewer and storm water system); filters out the organic material; cleans the water before sending it into the environment; and will now be selling energy (in the form of natural gas) in the open-market.

"Through a partnership with National Grid that is already in the works, officials said, the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn is expected to add enough methane gas to the city’s natural gas network next year to heat 2,500 homes." 

It's not like the City is new to this industry; it already sells "biosolids,"the end-product of dried sewer sludge, in the open market.

Hey, way to make the most of the situation, New York.

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*Clean energy from wastewater. The irony makes me laugh.

Criminal Charges for Brooklyn Businesses, Dumping Raw Sewage

Four individuals and four businesses at a Brooklyn shopping center face criminal charges over dumping raw sewage and restaurant grease into Sheepshead Bay. The charges are punishable with charges of $75k per day and up to three years imprisonment.

NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection: We need Spring and Summer Interns!

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking law students interested in environmental and administrative law for legal intern positions (spring & summer). Only currently enrolled law students are eligible to apply for an internship. DEP is particularly interested in students planning careers in the public sector or seeking experience in environmental and administrative law.

DEP legal interns will have the opportunity to work on a number of legal and administrative issues, including: statutory research, conducting administrative hearings before the Environmental Control Board (ECB), drafting appeals against adverse ECB decisions, and assisting DEP attorneys on any matters that may arise.

Spring Internships are unpaid, part-time positions (no more than 20-hours per week based on your schedule). Summer Internships are 10-to-12 week full-time positions. Funding may be available for the summer positions, either through DEP directly or your school's financial aid office.

For more information, please contact Jose Almanzar (jose.almanzar@law.nyls.edu).





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