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Kingston: Installing Solar Without Breaking the Bank

RUPCO and the City of Kingston will host a solar installation workshop for homeowners meeting certain income standards. GRID Alternatives Tri-State, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar provider, headlines the workshop to be held September 9, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Ulster County Community Action, 70 Lindsley Avenue, Kingston. Rooftop solar can cut costs every month on electric bills, protect against rising electricity prices, and supplies a clean energy source that contributes to cleaner air for everyone.

In partnership with the City of Kingston and RUPCO, GRID Alternatives coordinates full service installation from start to finish. This program is specifically designed for eligible families living on low or fixed incomes, generally 80% of Ulster County’s Average Median Income (AMI). For a Kingston family of four, this income limit is $60,150. As Brenna L. Robinson, Director of the Office of Community Development explains, “We are thrilled to partner with RUPCO again, to provide yet another opportunity for Kingston’s residents to make their lives better. In addition to installing solar energy equipment, other improvements such as replacing old windows and doors, adding insulation, roof improvements, or new heating/cooling equipment can significantly increase their homes’ energy efficiency and that will keep money in their pockets to be used where they really need it.”

RUPCO secured a grant from NeighborWorks® America to provide matching funds towards GRID solar installs. NeighborWorks®  provides matching funds of approximately $2,500 per installation to RUPCO for homeowners who meet eligibility criteria to work with GRID Alternatives’ solar project installations.RUPCO will help 10 Kingston residential households by providing matching funds for these solar installs.

Specifically, RUPCO is looking at two income-qualifying areas inside the city limits. In these areas, there are a total of 870 owner-occupied homes located in a large portion of downtown, as well as a very large portion of Midtown. Representatives from each organization will be on hand to answer homeowner questions.

“We frequently get questions like: how much can I save on my electric bill with solar? How do I apply for the solar program? Do I qualify?” notes Michael D’Arcy, Outreach Coordinator for RUPCO’s Green Jobs | Green New York Program. “We will answer these questions and many more on September 9th. Invite friends, family and others you think may qualify for our program. You can also bring your electric bills to get a jump start!” To learn more, call Michael D’Arcy at 845-331-2140 Ext: 267.

Since 2011, RUPCO, as an Independent Contractor to the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) actively markets Green Jobs | Green New York, to improve Home Performance with ENERGYSTAR® and all NYSERDA programs to educate homeowners, community leaders and the general public about the benefits of the program. This program serves 10 counties in the Mid-Hudson Valley, including Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. The Green Jobs | Green New York Program covers 2,451,153 residents (12.7% of NYS Population) in 673 Zip Codes. In total, 43.6% of the homes in Kingston are owner occupied. As of April 30th, RUPCO has a total of 4800 residential referrals, 1302 completed Home Energy Performance audits, and over 364 customers approved for or have completed a residential energy upgrade or retrofit. Visit Green Jobs | Green New York for more information.

Pilgrim Pipelines Opposed in Rensselaer

On Wednesday, July 20th the City of Rensselaer Common Council voted 5:0 to pass the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines, becoming the fourth and final city on the proposed oil and petroleum products pipelines’ direct route to oppose permitting or construction of the pipelines. The cities of Albany, Kingston and Newburgh had already passed Resolutions Opposing Pilgrim pipelines. The Common Council found opposition to Pilgrim pipelines running 21:1 in the city of Rensselaer.
Rensselaer is now the 28th Hudson Valley municipality (including towns, cities and villages but excluding counties) to pass a resolution opposing Pilgrim pipelines due to health, safety, environmental, drinking water, climate and energy policy, and economic concerns. The controversial pair of proposed Pilgrim pipelines would carry Bakken Shale crude oil from Albany to Linden, NJ. Pilgrim’s construction would require an increase in oil train traffic into Albany threefold to fivefold, compared to the current (fluctuating) number of oil trains entering Albany, in order to service the southbound crude oil pipeline.
The total proposed Pilgrim pipelines’ length, including laterals, is 352 miles in both states. Both proposed pipelines would be drilled horizontally underneath the Hudson River twice.
Common Council President Brian Stall commented, prior to the vote, “The area [of Rensselaer] along the port is heavily contaminated, DEC [New York State Department of Environmental Conservation] wouldn’t allow several tree stumps to be dug up there because it’s too contaminated. If DEC won’t allow tree stumps to be dug up, why would they allow huge pipelines to be drillled and dug there?”
Five voted “AYE” to the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines: James Van Vorst, John DeFrancesco, James Casey, Margaret Van Dyke, and Common Council President Brian Stall.
Two abstained: Dave Gardner, who said he  “wanted to hear from DEC,” and Richard Mooney.
“We have an historic town. This river has shaped the lives of everyone who ever lived here,” said Rensselaer resident Joanne Kathleen Farrell, of Rensselaer Community Action, She told the Council, “There would be five times more oil trains if these Pilgrim pipelines are built, and Rensselaer is in the blast zone [for oil train explosions]. We fish, we boat and we picnic by the river. We may not be the richest, but we’re not tolerating this attack on our environment, our river and our city.”
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“A pipeline like this leaks every 30 hours, according to federal data,” Reverend Barbara Toll, pastor of the United Church of Christ in Rensselaer, testified at the Common Council meeting. “Last year, a pipeline like this leaked 60,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River. How much oil would leak, how much damage to the Hudson River would occur before we even know?”
“According to PHMSA [Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration], there have been 631 pipeline incidents per year for the past ten years,” Reverend Toll continued. “I don’t want this kind of risk for my congregation. Creation care is a faith issue for us. Our climate requires protection. We need a cleaner, healthier future for our grandchildren. In the City of Rensselaer, we can actually say no to this thing. Let’s say no tonight!”
By passing the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines, Rensselaer joins Albany and the towns of East Greenbush and Bethlehem in united opposition to the proposed Pilgrim pipelines throughout the Capital District, in every Capital District municipality along the direct proposed pipelines route. Several Capital District residents also spoke.
Tina Lieberman, an Albany resident, described and countered statements she said Pilgrim Pipeline Holdings LLC’s lobbyist in Albany, John Casellini, had made in Albany: “Casellini assured ‘the latest in anti-leak technology,’ but why are there so many leaks in new pipelines? It’s because sensors don’t go into effect until there’s a major drop in pressure. The Keystone pipeline leaked for a week before it was noticed — and then it took Transcanada ten more days to find the leak. Don’t be bamboozled!”
Lieberman added, “Casellini said in Albany there would be about four to five jobs in our area [with 40 – 50 pipeline jobs spread out from Albany to Linden, NJ]. We can create more, safer, good clean energy jobs. Don’t let them take away our air, our water, what we value most about living here!”
Peter Cook, Executive Director of NYS Council of Churches, representing over 7,000 congregations, testified at the Rensselaer Common Council, “I’m also a pastor for the United Church of Christ, which did a study showing that where people of color live and where there is a higher level of poverty, environmental harms proliferate, causing health harms. These pipelines represent disproportionate risk with no benefit. Please join 27 other cities, towns and villages in passing this Resolution tonight.”
Dave Publow, of neighboring Troy, said, “Pilgrim pipelines is a 19th century project using 20th century technology and does not meet 21st century needs. As to climate, we’re out of time. Each month is getting hotter than the last. There’s no reason for us to bear the brunt of these bomb trains running right next to African American and low-income neighborhoods. This project is toxic, and we need to stop it.”
At least eighteen people testified at the Common Council meeting. At least fourteen strongly opposed the Pilgrim pipelines.
Four people, including Pilgrim’s lobbyist John Casellini, testified in favor of the pipelines; at least two of those represented Local 190, calling for construction jobs.
Sue Rosenberg, of Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines-Saugerties, said, “We want good union jobs… I know how hard it is. We need to create jobs building clean energy sources, to fix our bridges and railroads. We are downriver– so a breach in these pipelines would travel in a hurry to us.”
Riverkeeper documented the event here: Capital Region Unanimously Opposes Pilgrim Oil Pipelines
Contact: Iris Marie Bloom, Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines-NY 845-687-7810; mobile 215-840-6489

Exciting Vote in Rensselaer Wednesday July 20th

Dear Friends: We’ve just gotten word that the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines will be on the agenda this coming Wednesday, July 20th in Rensselaer! Our campaign to support this hard-hit Environmental Justice community in standing up to Big Oil continues. You can help by coming out to pack the hall– and, if you are an area resident or have special expertise to offer, by calling Common Council prior to the vote and by testifying during Public Comment:
RENSSELAER COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Weds. July 20th, 6:30 – 7 PM Public Comment; 7 PM regular meeting. Arrive 6:15 to sign up for Public Comment prior to 6:30.
62 Washington Street, Rensselaer NY 12144
On June 15th, the Council listened as 16 people testified against the proposed Pilgrim Oil Pipelines (compared to two in favor). That event is covered here: Rensselaer Residents Speak Out Against Pilgrim Pipelines. However, Pilgrim lobbyists also appeared several times, including a private session (no minutes were made publicly available).
On July 6th only two City of Rensselaer residents spoke out against the Pilgrim pipelines (two non-residents also spoke), and so far, no business owners or people who identify as businesspeople — nor faith leaders from the Albany area or from Rensselaer specifically — have yet testified against the pipelines. We are, gladly, beginning to hear of support emerging from the faith community in Rensselaer, but that’s just a beginning.
We hope new voices will pipe up on July 20th at the Common Council meeting, and that business and church leaders, as well as environmental and social justice advocates, will call the Rensselaer Common Council members before hand to advocate for them to pass the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines.
 
A number of Rensselaer Common Council members have stated they believe they should take no action — after lobbying visits by Pilgrim Pipelines representatives — even after their own Public Hearing on the Pilgrim Pipelines showed public opinion running 8:1 opposing the Pilgrim Pipelines. Canvassing suggests public opinion is far more strongly opposed than 8:1 (perhaps more like 200:1), but there is a limited culture of engagement in the City of Rensselaer due to discouraging defeats previously suffered over polluting industries such as the asphalt plant.
This is an environmental justice community, where residents are now expressing a strong desire to stand up and stop polluting industries from harming their health and well-being. As Marion Webber put it, “Most of our children have asthma.” The people of Rensselaer have had enough.
Short issues summary:
The proposed Pilgrim pipelines would harm City property, harm and risk the waterfront, pollute the air and climate, and provide no long-term jobs to Rensselaer residents. The Hudson River would be put at risk for 50 years or more, with 16.8 million gallons of toxic, dangerous and flammable hazardous crude oil and refined petroleum products going under the river every day. Oil pipelines spill every other day, according to the U.S. statistical average based on federal data; and oil pipelines spill far more than any other form of transportation (train, truck or boat).
So please make your voices heard, and please let City of Rensselaer (and area) business owners, residents, friends and neighbors know to call their Common Council members BEFORE the Weds. July 20th Common Council meeting to say, “Please vote YES on the Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipelines.” Keep up the great work, and make City of Rensselaer the 27 municipality in New York State to oppose Pilgrim pipelines.
On June 15th, one resident testified,

“I can see why a lot of people have given up. I’m tired, my health is failing, the fumes affect me day and night…. I have to close the windows, I can only sit outside at best 3, 4 times a week. Now if these Pilgrim Pipelines come, do I have to get rid of my house? I can’t leave my house to my kids with all this smoke and pollution from the cogeneration plant and the asphalt plant. I ask you to stop these Pilgrim pipelines.”

Let’s make sure the Common Council is listening– truly listening and responding — to the will of their residents in Rensselaer next Wednesday, July 20th.
If you need more facts about Pilgrim Pipelines, you can always look here: https://stoppilgrimpipeline.com/pilgrim-faqs/
Thanks for all you do
Iris

 

Iris Marie Bloom
Director, Protecting Our Waters protectingourwaters.com
Organizer, Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines-NY stoppilgrimpipeline.com

Phone: 845-687-7810 / Mobile: 215.840.6489
Email: protectingourwaters@gmail.com

Twitter: @POW_no_fracking

AMERICA’S FIRST STATEWIDE SOLAR MAP AND PORTAL LAUNCHED AT NY SOLAR SUMMIT

NEW YORK, NY – The NY Solar Map and Portal was launched today at the 10th Annual NY Solar Summit.  Sustainable CUNY of the City University of New York (CUNY) worked with a team of researchers, IT and GIS experts at the country’s largest urban public university, as well as with solar leaders across the state, to design and build the comprehensive interactive website with support from the NY Sun Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative.

nysolarmap.com

The NY Solar Map and Portal allows New Yorkers across the state to realize their solar potential with detailed technical and economic calculations and the ability to connect with accredited solar installers. Distinguished from other solar maps, the NY Solar Map and Portal provides consumers with localized information, market statistics and flexible analytics.  Consumers, installers and municipal leaders can also access information on resources and programs available in their local community through the ‘In Your Area’ feature. This tool connects consumers to local ‘solarize’ group purchasing campaigns and community shared solar opportunities, which are open to renters, investors and those with non-viable roofs.

The NY Solar Map also features a ‘draw solar’ tool that can be utilized anywhere in the state: a rooftop in Albany, a parking lot on Long Island or a brownfield in western New York. NYC and the Westchester County additionally have LiDAR: surveying technology that uses light and radar to measure a geographic space. This allows the Map to account for shading from trees and other obstructions to direct sunlight. Additional communities that capture Lidar data will be added to the map when available. The NY Solar Map and Portal is an expansion of the NYC Solar Map (also by Sustainable CUNY), one of the first solar maps in the country, built in 2010 utilizing 5 billion points of LiDAR data with support from the DOE, NYS, the City of New York and Con Edison.

“In NYC, we’ve more than tripled solar since 2014 — focusing on cutting red tape and making lower-cost solar accessible to as many New Yorkers as possible, as we work toward our OneNYC goal of an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050,” said NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The NY Solar Map will help ensure New Yorkers have the information they need to make the switch to clean energy, and we’re proud to support this valuable new tool.”

“As Thomas Jefferson said, ‘Information is the currency of democracy’ and the NY Solar Map is an important tool to provide all New Yorkers–from customers to installers to policymakers–the information they need to choose affordable solar power,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York. “Resources like this new map will help democratize the production of energy, ensure greater access to clean energy for households and communities across the state, and contribute toward achieving Governor Cuomo’s goal of 50 percent renewables by 2030.”

“In Reforming the Energy Vision — Gov. Cuomo’s strategy to fight climate change and grow New York’s green economy — a key goal is to expand solar and other renewable power and the NY Solar Map and Portal will greatly assist in that effort,” said Audrey Zibelman, Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission. “Like REV, this new map and interactive portal will give energy consumers the information and the tools they need to lower their energy bills.”

“Through Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, solar in NYS is setting records in installation and job growth in New York State,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. “The NY Solar Map and Portal gives communities, businesses, hospitals, colleges and others the tools to help them choose to install solar, which adds good jobs to the State’s clean energy economy and renewables to the State’s energy mix.”

“The easier we can make it for consumers and businesses to determine whether solar is the right option for them, the faster solar will become an essential components of the State’s energy mix,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “We’re proud to support the Solar Map, as the more consumers know about solar, the more they’re bound to embrace it for their energy needs.”

“The City University of New York is proud to have worked for over a decade with municipalities across New York as well as utility, State and Federal leaders to play a significant role in reducing the costs of conversion to solar energy,” said CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken. “The NY Solar Map and Portal, developed by Sustainable CUNY and built in collaboration with CUNY  faculty and students across many campuses, is a robust interactive tool that puts data and information at the fingertips of all New Yorkers, ultimately boosting economic development and helping New York gain recognition nationally as a model for the future of renewable energy.”

“The NY Solar Map is another tool that will help support the growth of clean, renewable solar energy in our state,” said Craig Ivey, president of Con Edison. “That is also the goal of our Solar Progress Partnership, which brings together utilities and solar companies to encourage solar development while helping to maintain a reliable, resilient grid.”

Sixteen municipalities around the state representing over half the population have partnered with Sustainable CUNY, lending localized expertise in a collaborative effort to encourage streamlined permitting, develop a Model Solar Zoning Law and Toolkit, create group purchasing campaigns and host workshops for municipal leaders and installers. These collective efforts helped inform the development of the Portal for the NY Solar Map, offering a one-stop shop for consumers, installers, city planners and utilities. Committed jurisdictions that spent over three years working with CUNY now each have their own solar map address, such as nysolarmap.com/albany. The City of Yonkers, the Town of Red Hook, the Village of Warwick, the Town of Warwick, the Town of Huntington and New York City additionally collaborated with CUNY’s IT team to create interactive permitting guides for the portal.

“Sustainable CUNY has developed a practical online technology that empowers individuals to find out if solar energy is a viable option on their property,” said Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan. “This map and portal provide an important tool for property owners who want to determine whether they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint by making the switch to solar. It is also an important contribution to Governor Cuomo’s bold initiative to aggressively promote alternative energies.”

“The Town of Huntington partnered with Sustainable CUNY on solar energy initiatives because the Town is committed to making it easier for local residents and business to explore whether solar works for them and to streamlining the conversion process,” said Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone. “The NY Solar Map and Portal is the next logical step in this effort, providing the information on-line and in an interactive fashion. I congratulate Sustainable CUNY for producing this first-in-the-nation portal.”

“The City of Yonkers is supportive of the U.S. Department of Energy goals and it has been our pleasure to work with CUNY and NYSolar Smart partners to ensure that New York State continues to be a leader in the U.S. solar market,” said Mayor of Yonkers Mike Spano. “Yonkers has seen  103% compound annual growth from 2011 through the end of 2015, the number of solar installations in Yonkers has more than doubled each year leading to $13.68 million in economic development”

“The NY Solar map and portal will be a great asset for our community to monitor progress towards increasing our use of renewable solar energy,” said Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton. “The Town of Warwick is proud to have worked on the Interactive Permitting Guide and to have adopted the unified permit.”

“The Village of Warwick was pleased to participate in the development of a Statewide Solar Permit,” said Mayor Michael Newhard.  “Working with CUNY and colleagues throughout New York State was a valuable lesson in cooperation and vision. The permit and Statewide Solar Map are important steps for the future of a sustainable New York.”

“Southampton Town is a strong advocate for renewable solar energy installation,” said Town of Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.  “We, as a Town, are now entering our second round of a Solarize Southampton campaign, partly funded by a NYSERDA grant, to promote solar installations throughout the Town. This tool will be an invaluable asset to that local effort as I am sure it will be in other parts of the State. ”

“Clifton Park was eager to lend expertise, as a member of a select working group, to the goal of comprising a unified code for all municipalities in New York State pertaining to solar installations,” said Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett.  “The code will provide a uniform standard for all municipalities, which will streamline the solar installation process for homeowners, businesses and the solar industry.  We value our partnership with CUNY in this endeavor and look forward to future collaborative efforts.” 

“Red Hook is privileged to be working with Sustainable CUNY to help New Yorkers with home grown solar,” said Red Hook Town Supervisor Robert McKeon. “This will complement our Solarize Northern Dutchess campaign which has hundreds of interested families.

“The City of Schenectady is proud to have partnered with Sustainable CUNY and the 15 other New York jurisdictions through the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge II,” said Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy. “This initiative will not only help to break through some of the economic and permitting barriers to installing rooftop solar energy systems, but the NY Solar Map and Portal will allow Schenectady residents to estimate the solar potential of their home, get step-by-step guidance and information, and connect with local qualified installers.”

The Age of Solar

Sustainable CUNY’s 10th annual NY Solar Summit featured onstage conversations with U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative Director Dr. Lidija Sekaric and the Public Service Commission along with National Grid President Kenneth Daly, and Con Edison Vice President Stuart Nachmias on present and future solar policy. Utility leaders highlighted current demonstration projects triggered by New York’s ‘Reforming the Energy Vision’ while the NYC Solar Partnership outlined Solarize NYC- a comprehensive program of solarize and shared solar campaigns in America’s largest City. NYSERDA President John Rhodes gave the afternoon keynote outlining the tremendous progress of the NY-Sun Initiative and a panel on solar+storage featured the efforts of CUNY’s Smart DG Hub-Resilient Solar Project to create a pathway to the marketplace for batteries. ‘Building New York’s Solar Empire’ featured the many programs available in New York and numerous case studies showed the way for shared solar and solar+storage projects. Prime sponsors of the 10th annual NY Solar Summit include NYSERDA, Con Edison and the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. Full Sponsor List

The Making of the Map

The NY Solar Map and Portal is the country’s first comprehensive statewide solar map complete with a robust informational portal. Sustainable CUNY led development of the project and maintains the content, while CUNY’s Center for Advanced Research of Spatial Information (CARSI) at Hunter College was responsible for software design, development and implementation.

The NY Solar Map adds LiDAR data covering Westchester County to the existing model of New York City, while the Map provides solar estimations for the rest of the state using satellite imagery and historical weather data. For NYC and Westchester, the NY Solar Map estimates rooftop solar potential using a computer model that calculates the incoming direct and diffuse solar radiation for every square meter. The model is based on the position of the sun; multiple historical weather datasets, which were calibrated using the performance of deployed solar systems; latitude; and, most importantly, shading. Shading information is generated from a 3D model derived from the LIDAR data. Integration with local land-use data allows users to easily click on a building or search for an address and find its solar potential. For areas without LIDAR data, users are prompted to draw a box on their southernmost-facing roof. The NY Solar Map uses historical weather and solar radiation data from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to estimate the solar production of the roof. In both cases, the Solar Calculator provides detailed information about the solar investment, including estimated incentives, savings, and payback.

What separates the NY Solar Map and Portal from other solar mapping tools is the integration of local program information and educational resources. In addition to the In Your Area tool, the Solar Connect feature allows users to receive quotes from NYSERDA-qualified solar installers, and sort contractors based on their offerings and the number of projects they have completed within a local jurisdiction. The Solar Statistics and Solar Layers features allow users to visualize how New York’s solar market is growing as a whole and within each municipality. Charts display how prices are falling, and users can view installed systems across the state. Installers can view maps of which municipalities have adopted the NYS Unified Solar Permit and other beneficial information. All of these resources are wrapped into a customizable Portal containing educational resources created by Sustainable CUNY and its partners. The Map also integrates Advanced Tools for contractors, such as the forthcoming Grid Ready tool that will allow pre-screening of large properties in NYC for necessary grid upgrades to interconnect with Con Edison.

The Map and Portal are funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative and the NY-Sun initiative and are part of NYSolar Smart, a strategic effort led by Sustainable CUNY that supports Federal, State and NYC efforts to reduce the soft costs of installing solar in New York. CUNY works in partnership with NYPA, NYSERDA and more than 70 organizations including utility companies, installers, government agencies and industry leaders.

PSC Hearing in Kingston

Come to Kingston City Hall tomorrow (May 26) and let the Public Service Commission know you support a strong Clean Energy Standard for New York without nuclear subsidies! The first session begins at 2pm (hearing at 3pm) and the second session begins at 6pm (hearing at 7pm).

For details and background information, see CLP’s Talking Points: http://bit.ly/201CWxP or visit http://www.citizensforlocalpower.com/upcoming-events.html. PDF copies of the event flyer and CLP talking points are also attached.
solar panels hudson valley kingston ny

Kingston Oil-By-Rail & Pipeline Meeting

kingston solar energy meeting
Dear Kingston and Mid-Hudson Valley neighbors,

You are cordially invited to an evening of information about the dangers of oil-by-rail traffic in your community, as well as an opportunity to plug into the actions to resist these “bombtrains” at the Break Free action in Albany on May 14th.

We will hear from the Campaign Against the Pilgrim Pipeline, a dangerous pipeline that will greatly increase oiltrain traffic to the region, as well as other anti-fossil fuels campaigners from the area. Then we’ll get into the details of the global Break Free mobilization and engage the audience in some basic training of the tactics, tone, and legal implications of the varying kinds of participation in this action, which may well be the biggest anti-fossil fuels action on the East Coast this year. We want everyone know that this will be an amazing and historic act of community resistance to climate chaos and fossil fuels, and to please try to be there.

Join the Kingston event on Facebook

Citizens For Local Power- Solar Project Planning
Please join Citizens for Local Power this Friday at their open breakfast for clean energy advocates in the Hudson Valley.
CLP Monthly Breakfast
Friday, April 8, 2016 at 8:00am
Creative Co-op of Rosendale
402 Main Street, Rosendale NY 12472
The month’s agenda will include:
  • A report on LED streetlights for municipalities
  • Pilgrim Pipeline report and next steps
  • Update on new NYS Clean Energy Standard, including PSC public hearings
  • CCA status and next steps
  • Solar:  Resources for info on solar leases and Community Solar project planning
Coffee and tea will be provided. Feel free to bring a breakfast-y snack to share if you’re so inclined.

clean energy rally solar

Join in for a Rally for Clean Energy and Safe Climate to mobilize the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Southern Tier at BSP in Kingston NY.

There will be anti-fracking activist and filmmaker Josh Fox, Tribal rights attorney and Honor the Earth Campaigns Director Tara Houska, environmentalist and author Bill McKibben, environmental justice organizer Anthony Rogers-Wright, local organizers and other special guests.

It’ll be a powerful, energizing afternoon – join us!

WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 2016 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Doors open at 1:30 pm.

WHERE: BSP Kingston (Kingston, NY) 323 Wall St Kingston, NY 12401
Enter via rear doors on Crown Street

WHO: Hosted by NYC Bernie Sanders Office

RSVP HERE