It's official. Fracking banned in New York
Breaking news! The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has completed all the review steps, and high-volume hydraulic fracturing is now banned in New York State. The ban was made official with today's release of the state's Final Findings Statement (FFS).
| Hardly anyone believed that such an amazing victory over the titanic fossil fuel industry was possible. The prevailing wisdom: there is too much money in the state's Marcellus shale to achieve an outright ban. We proved them wrong. New Yorkers like you kept ramping up the pressure, sending message after message to the Governor and other decision-makers, making phone calls, and showing up for rally after rally. You and your friends and neighbors made all the difference, proving that when people come together, we can do the impossible: put people and nature before profits. This is a great day for New York State, and for the movement to fight all kinds of extreme fossil fuel extraction and combat climate change. Please join us in thanking Governor Cuomo and DEC Comissioner Joseph Martens for doing the right thing to protect New York's people and natural resources. The ban truly gives new meaning to the "I Love New York" slogan. You can call the Governor to leave a message of thanks at 518-474-8390. On behalf of the Catskill Mountainkeeper staff and board, I thank you for your terrific activism and support. I look forward to continuing to work together to protect our wildlands, our farmlands, and the health of our people. Warm regards,  Ramsay Adams President, Catskill Mountainkeeper P.S. You can help build on the momentum of this incredible victory by making a tax-deductible giftto help us keep fighting and winning. |
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Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Cooperstown Passes Resolution Regarding Climate Change
Resolution of the Board of Trustees
Of the Village of Cooperstown
Regarding Climate Change
March 3, 2015
Whereas an overwhelming majority of credentialed scientists, in the United States and abroad, support the findings that climate change is happening and that human activities are a key contributor to it;
Whereas the U. S. National Academy of Sciences and the U. K. Royal Society have stated, “It is now more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that humans are changing Earth’s climate. The atmosphere and oceans have warmed, accompanied by sea-level rise, a strong decline in Arctic sea ice, and other climate-related changes;
Whereas the 2014 National Climate Assessment, reviewed extensively by the National Academy of Sciences and a Federal Advisory Committee, states that in the Northeast “Heat waves, coastal flooding, and river flooding will pose a growing challenge to the region’s environmental, social, and economic systems… [which] will increase the vulnerability of the region’s residents, especially its most disadvantaged populations;
Whereas the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review of the U.S. Department of Defense states that the effects of climate change are “threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty, environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions – conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence;
Whereas the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change has reported “Impacts from recent climate-related extremes, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones, and wildfires, reveal significant vulnerability and exposure of some ecosystems and many human systems to current climate variability … and “All aspects of food security are potentially affected by climate change, including food access, utilization, and price stability;
Whereas New York State “Executive Order No. 24 set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State by 80 percent below the levels emitted in 1990 by the year 2050;
Whereas the Union of Concerned Scientists has called “for government and corporate decision makers to reduce the threat of global warming by:
• Expanding the use of renewable energy and transforming our energy system to one that is cleaner and less dependent on coal and other fossil fuels.
• Increasing vehicle fuel efficiency and supporting other solutions that reduce U. S. oil use.
• Placing limits on the amount of carbon that polluters are allowed to emit.
• Building a clean energy economy by investing in efficient energy technologies, industries, and approaches;
Whereas if left unaddressed, the consequences of climate change will adversely impact all Americans, hitting the most vulnerable populations--children, the elderly, the sick and the poor—hardest, and saddling future generations with the costly burden of a damaged planet; and
Whereas most faith traditions recognize a moral obligation to care for the most vulnerable peoples and to be responsible stewards of the Earth;
Whereas global warming and resultant climate instability are broadly considered issues requiring correct and sustained actions by nations, states, and communities;
Whereas local, state and federal governments are incurring increasing costs to repair damage from severe climatic events, and these costs are only expected to increase and will ultimately be borne by taxpayers;
Whereas addressing climate change through increased energy efficiency measures and increased development of renewable energy sources could provide benefits in terms of employment and sustainable economic activity;
Whereas the Village of Cooperstown and its surrounding region have experienced multiple 100 and 500 year storms in the past 10 years;
Whereas the Village of Cooperstown and the surrounding area rely largely on tourism, agriculture and health care to support a sustainable environment and economy which would be negatively affected to an increasing degree by unmitigated climate change, but could benefit from positive actions to address climate change; now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown:
1) urges the County of Otsego, the State of New York, and the Congress and President of the United States of America to take prompt and effective measures to rapidly address climate change by promoting and encouraging a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and their associated infrastructure, improvement in the efficiency of energy systems, and the development and installation of renewable energy systems; and
2) stands ready to work with any level of government to achieve these goals, that will in the process create safe, sustainable jobs and provide real, clean energy solutions for generations to come.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
GASLAND'S JOSH FOX AND ZEPHYR TEACHOUT IN ONEONTA FEBRUARY 21
SOLUTIONS GRASROOTS TOUR: A SOLAR HOME COMPANION
We’re excited to announce that Josh Fox will be hitting the road with Zephyr Teachout for The Solutions Grassroots Tour: "A Solar Home Companion"
February 21st at 1pm in Oneonta at the Hartwick College
February 21st at 7pm in Oneonta at the Foothills Performing Art Center
February 28th at 11am in Cortland at SUNY Cortland
March 7th at 11am in Chatham at Real Food Market Co-op
March 8th at 3pm in Plattsburgh at SUNY Plattsburgh
March 10th at 6 pm in New Paltz at SUNY New Paltz
More NY and PA dates coming soon!
We've worked hard to create relationships with the best renewable energy companies in NY and PA and we are bringing renewable energy solutions to you, town by town on an individual, community and town-wide basis. Come and join the discussion and learn with us.
Josh Fox, Zephyr Teachout and an array of renewable energy experts will be visiting towns across New York and PA. They'll start off the conversation with some of our organizing history, and a bit of music, and will even show you sneak peaks of Josh's new film on climate change before anyone else in the world. But we will begin the conversation of how we can get our country off of fossil fuels and onto the wind and sun. It starts with you, as it always has. Please join us.
As a community we’ll sit down and figure out how we can build energy that’s not only healthier for our towns and planet, but energy that’s democratic and will benefit all people.
Together, as a community, we can overcome anything. We can build something better. In the room, that day we will offer you the ability to switch to a renewable energy provider, put solar on the roof of your house, or just organize for better renewable energy laws. It’s a conversation that is both literally and figuratively electric.
Bring your friends. Bring your family. And most importantly- Bring your electricity bill. Let's start this new day together. Let's all remember where we were when we finally began to get off fossil fuels, that is the only real ban, that is the only real way we have a future.
RSVP for A Solar Home Companion today!
Don’t worry if we’re not coming to your neck of the woods just yet. We want every community we've toured to with GASLAND and GASLAND PART II to go renewable.
Sign up at www.SolutionsGrassroots.com to get updates on Josh’s future tours.
See you on the road!
Lee Ziesche, Grassroots Coordinator
Thursday, January 29, 2015
STOP THE PIPELINE to Hold Comment Writing Event at Green Earth Feb 7 and 21
Stop the Pipeline to Hold Comment Writing Events at Green Earth
Help Convince the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) to Deny Water and Air Quality Permits to the Constitution Pipeline
Members of Stop the Pipeline (STP) will hold two comment writing events on Saturday, February 7th and Saturday, February 21st, from 2:00-6:00 PM at The Green Earth, 4 Market St., Oneonta. These are part of the campaign to convince the DEC to deny water and air quality permits for the Constitution Pipeline. Constitution received conditional approval from the federal government but can't be built without permits from NY State.
Pipeline construction endangers long-term water and air quality, creates a threat to headwaters and related stream systems, and compromises spawning and viability of important fish species. With Constitution, wholesale tree stripping, especially on hillsides, will lead to increased flooding in an area recently devastated by more frequently occurring 100-year inundations. Landowners, many facing eminent domain proceedings, will lose property value and access, and the quality of life they have established through years of hard work. The Constitution with its associated compressor stations, and a second pipeline project proposed by Kinder Morgan, are a threat to our health, environment, land values, and way of life.
Join your neighbors in telling the DEC to do what is environmentally and ethically correct – deny Constitution Pipeline the 401 water quality certificate and air quality permit. With the help of STP volunteers, create personalized letters from sample comment letters and Talking Points. Bring a laptop if you have one, or just bring your pen. For more information, see http://dec.stopthepipeline.org/write-to-nys-dec/
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Fracking Ban Rally and Celebration in Albany Rescheduled for January 21
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Due to the passing of former Governor Mario Cuomo, the State of the State Address has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, January 21st. We lend our condolences to the Cuomo family. We are also writing to inform you that our rally and celebration has been re-scheduled for the 21st as well. See original e-mail with new date below. Thank you!
Fellow New Yorker Against Fracking,
For many years, we were told fracking in New York was inevitable. That no one stops the oil and gas industry and that ultimately Governor Cuomo would cave. For many years, we said that a statewide ban was possible. That the power of the people could triumph over toxic fracking and that our Governor could be a hero by banning fracking and lead this country toward a renewable energy future. Four and a half years later, thankfully we were right.
With every great victory, comes a great party. And we are ready to celebrate and have some fun. For Renee, John and I, this campaign has been one of the most grueling, labor intensive, emotionally exhausting and hard won battles we've ever fought. We did it from a place of love for our family, friends and communities. We also did it for your families, friends and communities and all New Yorkers.
Please come and join us on January 21st in Albany from 11:30-12:30 pm for a celebration rally outside of the State of the State Address thanking the Governor and each other for this incredible victory and shift our focus to renewable energy. Following the rally we will be hosting a big party at the The Hilton Albany from 1:00-4:00 pm.
RSVP and Find Info on Facebook Find Buses, Carpools and General Info on the Web
We would also like to ask you for an end of the year donation. Frack Action is a small yet powerful organization. Our team has been instrumental in developing the strategies and day-to-day organizing work that helped win a ban on fracking in New York. We have been able to do this because of support from you.
In the coming year, we plan to help lead the shift to New York becoming the renewable energy capital of our nation, as well as assisting people in other states where fracking is happening or is about to start. Please make a tax-deductible end of the year donation today. Click here to donate. Thank you.
We would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year in New York!
All the best, Julia, John & Renee
Frack Action
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