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ANDRO wins $2 million AFRL contract
ROME, N.Y. — ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC has been awarded a contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), valued at more than $2 million,
Syracuse football coach Fran Brown wins two coach-of-the-year awards for new coaches
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) head football coach Fran Brown has received a pair of national honors for first-time head coaches after his successful
VIEWPOINT: N.Y. Becomes 2nd State to Enact Climate Change Superfund Act
On Dec. 26, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act (Act) into law, making New York the second state (after Vermont) to impose the cost to repair and prevent climate-change impacts on a broad segment of the fossil-fuel industry. The Act states that climate change, which results primarily from combustion of fossil
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On Dec. 26, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act (Act) into law, making New York the second state (after Vermont) to impose the cost to repair and prevent climate-change impacts on a broad segment of the fossil-fuel industry.
The Act states that climate change, which results primarily from combustion of fossil fuels, is an immediate and grave threat to New York’s communities, environment, and economy. To address the harm that has occurred and that will transpire in the future, the Act amends the New York State Environmental Conservation Law to establish a climate-change adaptation cost-recovery program predicated on the “polluter pays” principle.
The cost-recovery program is intended to secure compensatory payments from responsible parties to provide revenue for climate change adaptive infrastructure projects in New York. Payments will be used for new or upgraded infrastructure to mitigate and protect against climate-change impacts. Beginning in 2026, the program will assess $3 billion per year for 25 years (a total of $75 billion) on fossil-fuel companies to partially offset the hundreds of billions of dollars required to repair and prepare for climate-change events between now and 2050, according to New York State.
The Act establishes a “covered period” of Jan. 1, 2000 through Dec. 31, 2018, and payment will be demanded from any entity which, during any part of the covered period, was engaged in the business of extraction of fossil fuels or the refining of petroleum products and which the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) determines is responsible for more than 1 billion tons of covered greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Cost-recovery demands will be issued to responsible parties who are considered strictly liable for a share of the costs. Individual cost-recovery demands will be issued in amounts representing the same ratio to $75 billion as a responsible party’s share of covered GHG emissions is to the aggregate GHG emissions of all responsible parties.
The Act applies a formulaic approach to determining the amount of GHGs attributable to a responsible party. Specifically, 942.5 tons of CO2e is treated as released for every 1 million pounds of coal attributable to a party; 432,280 metric tons of CO2e is treated as released for every 1 million barrels of crude oil attributable to a party; and 53,440 metric tons of CO2e is treated as released for every 1 million cubic feet of fuel gas attributable to a party.
While targeted at entities engaged in extracting and refining fossil fuels, a potential open question may be the scope of Act’s eventual reach. For example, “covered greenhouse gas emissions” is defined to mean the total quantity of GHGs released into the atmosphere during the covered period (expressed in CO2e), including GHGs resulting from “extraction, storage, production, refinement, transport, manufacture, distribution, sale and use” of fossil fuels or petroleum products extracted, produced, refined, or sold by the entity. The means by which GHGs have been generated (e.g., distribution, sale, use) is broader than the activities engaged in by responsible parties (extraction or refining). Accordingly, it will be important to monitor the NYSDEC’s rulemaking efforts to determine whether the Act may be interpreted to capture additional entities whose activities lead to the GHG emissions.
The Act represents a bold effort to ensure redress for climate-change harms, and while praised by environmental advocates, its effectiveness will certainly be tested in the courts.
Robert R. Tyson is a member (partner) with the Syracuse–based law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. He is chair of the firm’s property department and its environmental and energy practice. Contact Tyson at rtyson@bsk.com. This viewpoint article is drawn and edited from the firm’s website.
Wilmington Trust adds senior wealth associate in Syracuse
SYRACUSE — Wilmington Trust, the wealth-management arm of M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB), recently added a new wealth-management executive, Nathaniel Parish, to its Syracuse team as the firm continues to expand its business across the region. Nathaniel Parish is a senior wealth associate who works to provide comprehensive wealth-management advice to high-net-worth individuals and families,
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SYRACUSE — Wilmington Trust, the wealth-management arm of M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB), recently added a new wealth-management executive, Nathaniel Parish, to its Syracuse team as the firm continues to expand its business across the region.
Nathaniel Parish is a senior wealth associate who works to provide comprehensive wealth-management advice to high-net-worth individuals and families, entrepreneurs, and business owners throughout upstate New York.
Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Parish spent two years in the wealth-management field as a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual and just over one year as a financial analyst.
Parish holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University. He also has a New York State Life, Accident & Health Insurance license.
Wilmington Trust says it serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs, business owners, foundations, and endowments and their advisors.
New York manufacturing index slides back into negative territory in January
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business conditions index is back in negative territory, after falling 15 points to -12.6 in January. It’s the second
Binghamton University hires SU official as new VP of advancement
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Binghamton University announced that David K. Whitmore will join the college on March 10 as its new VP of advancement, executive director of the Binghamton University Foundation, and chief advancement officer. Whitmore currently serves as VP for advancement and academic affairs at Syracuse University (SU), where he led initiatives to advance institutional
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Binghamton University announced that David K. Whitmore will join the college on March 10 as its new VP of advancement, executive director of the Binghamton University Foundation, and chief advancement officer.
Whitmore currently serves as VP for advancement and academic affairs at Syracuse University (SU), where he led initiatives to advance institutional engagement and fundraising for cross-campus academic programs.
He worked previously at Cornell University, where he was active in major gifts and alumni affairs. Whitmore led teams to record-breaking fundraising milestones and worked to develop inclusive team cultures and build strong donor networks, according to a Binghamton University news release.
Whitmore was selected following a search process that included faculty, staff, and administrators led by Provost Donald Hall and English Professor Ali Moore.
“David is a development leader with a strong academic focus and 17 years of experience in achieving fundraising objectives,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “I am confident that David will significantly enhance our ability to create and deliver crucial fundraising initiatives.”
“With a track record of designing innovative advancement programs and collaborating with diverse campus audiences, David’s leadership will be instrumental in furthering Binghamton University’s mission,” Hall added.
Whitmore holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
CNY RPDB awarded nearly $4 million in federal funding for biking, walking trail development
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) will use a nearly $4 million federal award to develop plans
Syracuse airport had its busiest year ever in 2024
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — More than 3 million passengers passed through Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) in 2024, making it the busiest calendar year ever in
Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY names new CEO
DeWITT, N.Y. — Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) has appointed Jennifer Pichoske as its next CEO, effective Feb. 15. Pichoske will succeed the retiring Maryann Roefaro, who has served as CEO since 2002, HOA has announced. Described as a “long-time member of the HOA family,” Pichoske has filled “progressively responsible” leadership roles in the organization
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DeWITT, N.Y. — Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) has appointed Jennifer Pichoske as its next CEO, effective Feb. 15.
Pichoske will succeed the retiring Maryann Roefaro, who has served as CEO since 2002, HOA has announced.
Described as a “long-time member of the HOA family,” Pichoske has filled “progressively responsible” leadership roles in the organization since 2012 when she became the director of nursing. In 2020, she became chief clinical officer, and in 2023, began serving as HOA’s COO.
Her nearly 30 years of experience in hematology and oncology care also include serving as a nurse practitioner at HOA; as an instructor at Crouse Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse; and a hematology/oncology nurse practitioner and nurse in Buffalo.
“As a leader for HOA, [Pichoske] has driven innovation, operational excellence and patient advocacy efforts, and we are thrilled to have her as our new CEO,” Dr. Tarek Sousou, president of the board of directors at HOA, said in a statement. “Her deep industry knowledge and visionary leadership will be instrumental in continuing our mission to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit of patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.”
Pichoske said she’s “excited and honored” to take on the new role.
“I look forward to continue working with the talented team at HOA to build on our organization’s strong foundation to drive continued ground-breaking therapies, expand our reach and create the highest quality caring environment for our patients, their loved ones and our employees,” she added.
Established in 1982, Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is a private community cancer center that provides care for those dealing with cancer and blood disorders. A member of the Community Oncology Alliance, HOA has offices in Auburn, Camillus, and DeWitt.
The House of the Good Shepherd selected as 2024 Neighborhood Champion by Bank of America
UTICA, N.Y. — Bank of America announced it has named The House of the Good Shepherd as its local 2024 Neighborhood Champion. As part of
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