| Congress Passes Solar ITC Bill |
|
Category: Uncategorized
Keystone XL Pipeline Rejected
“President Obama has officially rejected TransCanada’s application to build the KeystoneXL pipeline. This major win for our climate is the result of relentless and passionate grassroots organizing in nearly every corner of our nation.
This victory is a testament to the incredible power we have, when we stand together as a movement, to shape our country and change the course of history—which is exactly what we’ll need to do to keep securing transformative actions that can reverse the course of human-made climate change and hold corporations and politicians who continue to imperil the climate by denying science accountable. ”
-350.org
Check out the 350.org video on how this fight was won…
Major Climate Action on Walkway Over the Hudson
For immediate release: October 21, 2015
Contact: Cliff Weathers, Communications Director
Phone: 914-478-4501, ext. 239
Email:
Organizers call on delegates to UN Paris climate talks to commit to “urgent carbon reductions.”
Who: Notable speakers are joining Friday’s climate action, “Walkway to Paris.”
What: The event presses for radical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions causing climate chaos. This requires local, state, national and international action, particularly at the United Nations Climate Conference November 30-December 11, 2015 in Paris.
Where: Walkway Over the Hudson, (Highland-Poughkeepsie, NY) with participants entering from both sides to engage in “rolling conversations.”
When: Friday, October 23rd, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Press conference at the Walkway’s middle “bump-out” from 3 p.m- 4 p.m. Speeches and performances follow.
Why: Participants urge President Obama, the U.S. delegation, and world leaders heading into the Paris climate talks, commit to urgent reductions in carbon emissions, including CO2 and methane, a powerful greenhouse gas emitted during shale gas and oil drilling, fracking, processing, transportation and use. Demands include commitments to keep 80% of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground and a just transition to 100% renewables by 2050.
Organizers: New Paltz Climate Action Coalition. Co-sponsors include Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Clearwater, Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines, Citizens for Local Power, Protect Orange County, Protecting Our Waters, Scenic Hudson, many more.
Featured speakers and performers:
- Victorio Roland Vargas Mousaa, representing First Nations perspectives on climate. Roland performed the original opening ceremony of the Walkway with Pete Seeger. Roland, who began working with Clearwater in 1969, will open our program at 4 p.m. He will perform with his partner, Mindy Fradkin (aka Princes Wow), the last song Pete Seeger wrote with him, “Now Is The Time.”
- Jen Metzger, Councilwoman, Rosendale and Co-Director, Citizens for Local Power.
- Jeffrey Freedman, climate scientist, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, SUNY Albany.
- Wes Gillingham, Co-Founder and Program Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper.
- Pramilla Malick, a community organizer and mother of 4 from Orange County leading fights against fracked-gas infrastructure in New York State. Pramilla represents Stop The Minisink Compressor Station and Protect Orange County.
- Ted Hall III, an educator, researcher, urban farmer, is an alumni of Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, and Bard College, where he co-initiated Sustainability commitments and curricula. Ted also organized key groups of the Occupy Movement.
- Jeremy Cherson of Riverkeeper will speak at Center Stage and will represent the Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines from along the Walkway. Representatives from Clearwater Environmental programs will also speak.
Visuals: Flags of 192 countries; banners, letter to President Obama, ribbons, large crowd, extremely diverse presenters, musicians, brass band. Buses from SUNY New Paltz and Bard; contingents from Vassar and other colleges.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/754176838020827/
– See more at: http://www.riverkeeper.org/news-events/news/get-involved/take-action/major-climate-action-on-walkway-over-the-hudson/#sthash.biW2iQ2P.dpuf
Stop the Constitution Pipeline
New York doesn’t need the so-called “Constitution” Pipeline, a 124-mile 
long high-pressure pipeline that would bring fracked gas from Pennsylvania into upstate New York. We don’t need another dangerous and destructive infrastructure project that will increase our dependence on fossil fuels.
If the corporation behind the project gets its way, it will seize private property by eminent domain, clear-cut 700,000 mature trees and trench through hundreds of streams and wetlands. The clear-cutting will increase runoff and exacerbate flooding in a region already hard hit by frequent flooding. Pristine trout streams and important drinking water supplies will be contaminated. Natural habitats will be fragmented and the landscape will be scarred. Upstate New York will never be the same.
The pipeline has already been approved by the federal government, but there’s still a chance to stop it. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation can refuse to issue a water quality certificate if it determines that the project is liable to harm our water supplies. Without the state’s water quality certificate, the project is dead.
In other words, Governor Cuomo’s DEC can stop the pipeline if it does the job it’s supposed to do—protect our water resources.
Learn more about this disastrous project at Stop the Pipeline.
Please share this Update link, cut and paste to Facebook
and Twitter: http://bit.ly/1JA8R1T
Activists hang from bridge in Portland to block Shell’s Arctic vessel
A group of environmental activists rappelled off a bridge in Portland, Oregon, shortly before 3am PT, in a bid to block a key vessel in Shell’s Arctic drilling fleet leaving the city’s port.
The oil company’s 380ft Fennica icebreaker departure time has been delayed, but it is not yet clear what role, if any, the protesters played in the delay. The vessel was originally scheduled to leave at 4.45am, according to the Columbia River Pilots website. The Columbia River Bar Pilots website later listed the launch time as 12pm. No new departure time has been listed on either site.
A Shell spokeswoman said: “The Fennica will begin its return journey to Alaska once we’ve completed the final preparations.”
Greenpeace said that 13 of its climbers were hanging off St Johns bridge and had enough supplies to last days in their attempt to hinder Shell’s Arctic drilling plans, with another 13 people assisting them.
The vessel arrived in a dry dock in the city for repairs on Saturday, following damage to its hull in the Aleutian Islands earlier this month.
The icebreaker must be at Shell’s drill site before workers can drill deep enough for oil because it has a capping stack, a key piece of safety equipment, on board. A capping stack is required because it can stop oil leaks if a well blows out.
Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace US, said: “Every second we stop Shell counts. The brave climbers here in Portland are now what stand between Shell and Arctic oil. This is President Obama’s last chance to wake up and realize the disaster that could happen on his watch.”
Sergeant Peter Simpson, a Portland police spokesman, told the Guardian that arrests may take place later today: “We are aware of the demonstration and are monitoring it in the area. The St Johns bridge remains open to all vehicle traffic. Arrests may be possible as the day goes on. Our top priority is public safety, including that of the demonstrators and other people using the river.”
The US coast guard was reported as monitoring the situation. Onlookers said the activists were handing out diapers to one another because they could be on the river for a long time.
Other protesters have taken to the water in kayaks to attempt to block the vessel from leaving Portland. They met at noon on Tuesday in North Portland’s Cathedral Park before taking to the water. Local media reported that about 60 kayaks were in the water early on Wednesday morning. The action is similar to one that took place in Seattle last month in an attempt to stop Shell’s rig, but failed after the so-called kayaktivists were pulled out of the way by the coast guard.
“Our goal is to basically demonstrate as much community resistance to Shell’s plans to drill for oil and secure new oil reserves in the Arctic,” Meredith Cocks, of local green group Portland Rising Tide, told Reuters.
Last week the Obama administration granted Shell permission to bore two new exploratory wells, subject to conditions.
Leonard added: “Greenpeace prioritises safety above all else and rappelling from a bridge is a walk in the park compared to the risks that we’ll face if we continue the climate change trajectory we’re on now.”
PUBLIC FORUM: Community Choice Aggregation
You are invited to a Public Forum:
Taking Control of Our Energy Supply Through Community Choice Aggregation
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 7 – 9 pm
Kingston City Hall, Common Council Chambers
420 Broadway, Kingston, NY
Featured speaker Paul Fenn of California – based Local Power Inc. -the inventor of CCA -will discuss how this community based approach to energy procurement can help ramp up local production of green energy, reduce our vulnerability to volatile fossil fuel prices, and create local jobs. Jessica Barry (Citizens for Local Power) will give an introductory overview and Jen Metzger (Citizens for Local Power) will discuss state energy reforms underway and what you can do to get the best outcome for our communities. Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene will moderate the Q&A
Presented by: Citizens for Local Power
Co-sponsored by:
Catskill Mountainkeeper
New Paltz Climate Action Coalition
CAMPAIGN FOR NEW YORK STATE GREEN ENERGY
What’s Next after Saying No to Fracking?Join the Campaign for 100% Green Energy by 2030
Wed. Jan. 21 Albany 5 PM
Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State St., Albany (half a block west of Capitol)
|
A study by Cornell and Stanford professors (Jacobson) shows that it is technologically feasible for NYS to have a 100% clean energy system by 2030. What is needed is the political will.
Now that grassroots activists has halted hydrofracking in NYS (though fossil fuel infrastructure development continues), how can activists push the state to invest instead in renewable energy and energy conservation?
|
Helping to lead the discussion will be Mark Dunlea of the Green Education and Legal Fund, Prof. Steve Breyman of RPI and recent Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins.
For more information, contact or 518 860-3725.
Green Education and Legal Fund www.facebook.com/nygreenelf
WalMart’s Assault on the Climate
Stacy Mitchell
October 9, 2014
The Walton family — majority owners of Walmart — are impeding America’s transition to a clean energy future, a new study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) finds. At a time when more than 500,000 households and businesses are generating their own solar electricity, and the U.S. solar industry is employing 143,000 people, the Waltons are funding nearly two dozen organizations working to roll back renewable energy policies, while a Walton-owned company is pushing for regulations aimed at hindering the growth of rooftop solar power.
Rooftop solar — which is spreading rapidly thanks to favorable economics and strong state policies — offers a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the transition to renewable power, save money for households, and create tens of thousands of new jobs.
Because it’s revolutionizing who owns and profits from electricity generation, rooftop solar is seen as threat by many utilities and fossil fuel companies. They are now campaigning in multiple states to weaken policies that enable rooftop solar. They have begun to score wins, including a victory in Arizona, where regulators granted the state’s largest utility, APS, the right to impose fees on households with rooftop solar. Since then, rooftop installations have fallen by 40 percent. Arizona is now one of only five states where the number of solar jobs is actually declining.
While journalists have begun to expose the powerful interests, including the Koch brothers, behind these campaigns, the involvement of another wealthy family — the Waltons, heirs to the Walmart fortune and majority owners of the company’s stock — has gone unnoticed. This report finds:
- Since 2010, the Waltons have donated $4.5 million to more than 20 organizations, including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Americans for Prosperity, and the American Enterprise Institute, which are leading the state campaigns against clean energy.
- A Walton-owned solar company, First Solar, was instrumental in helping APS win in Arizona, backing the utility even as the rest of the solar industry joined environmental and consumer groups in opposing the new fees. First Solar builds solar arrays for utilities and, as such, stands to benefit if households are blocked from generating their own electricity, even if it means slowing the overall growth of solar.
- First Solar also helped instigate a World Trade Organization proceeding that could force several U.S. states to repeal laws that use solar incentives to spur local job creation. First Solar does most of its manufacturing in Malaysia.
The findings of this report are significant in part because of what’s at stake for our energy system. This report also offers an instructive case study of the complexities of contemporary green-washing.
“The Waltons claim to have a deep commitment to sustainability, but their support for anti-solar initiatives tells a different story. The Waltons are investing in efforts that both undercut clean energy and prevent average Americans from benefitting economically from solar power,” said Stacy Mitchell, a senior researcher at ILSR and author of the new report.
In a report released last year, ILSR found that since the Waltons and their flagship enterprise, Walmart, publicly embraced environmentalism in 2005, Walmart’s self-reported greenhouse gas emissions have grown by 14 percent and the company was generating only 4 percent of its power from wind and solar, despite pledging to go 100 percent renewable. (That share has since dropped to 3 percent.) ILSR’s 2013 report also found that both Walmart’s and the Walton family’s political donations heavily favor lawmakers who oppose legislation to reduce climate pollution.
Several leading environmentalists offered perspective on the findings of the new report.
“Rooftop solar in the U.S. is growing exponentially and more and more Americans have access to affordable solar power that cuts their energy bills and builds a more sustainable energy future. Yet, the Waltons’ money is instead limiting average Americans’ ability to go solar and control their own energy future,” said Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth and an expert on tax and budget policies that spark a transition to clean energy.
“Arizona is one of the country’s leaders in solar, with more solar per person than any other state. Just as solar is poised to take off, the Waltons’ funding is restricting our ability to put solar on our homes, businesses, schools, and churches, and the Waltons’ own solar company is actually fighting against the growth of the rooftop solar industry,” said Russell Lowes, founder and research director of SafeEnergyAnalyst.org, which provides technical assistance to Arizona homeowners and businesses moving to renewable energy sources.
To read this full article, as published by the LISR click here
To sign an online petition to ‘Tell the Walton Family: Stop Your Hypocritical Undercover Campaign to Destroy Rooftop Solar” click here
Other references:
PV Magazine: Walmart’s Mixed Record on Solar and Renewable Energy
Vice News: Exclusive: Walmart Owners Backing Campaigns to Limit Rooftop Solar Power
STOP Pilgrim Pipeline!
- When: November 17, 2014: 7:00PM to 9:00PM
- Where: SUNY New Paltz, Lecture Center 104, 1 Hawk Dr New Paltz, NY map
The proposed Pilgrim Pipeline would transport hydro fracked crude oil from the Bakken Shale region through Albany, Greene, Ulster, Orange and Rockland counties. Get the details on the project from a panel of experts and hear what citizens and municipalities can do to prevent it.
Panel:
– Jen Metzger, Citizens for Local Power & Rosendale Town Councilwoman
– Phillip Musegaas, Riverkeeper, Hudson River Program Director
– Nadia Steinzor, Oil and Gas Accountability Project, Earthworks Action
Moderator: Manna Jo Greene, Ulster County Legislator & Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Presented by Citizens for Local Power
Co-sponsors: Catskill Mountainkeeper, NYPIRG, Frack Action, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Riverkeeper, Citizen Action of New York, New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, and the Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance
Citizens for Local Power
Fall 2014 Newsletter: Citizens for Local Power has been as busy as ever. Here’s brief update about a energy initiatives that we think will be of interest to you.
Community Choice Aggregation: CLP is organizing an important initiative to allow municipalities to lower electricity costs, use a cleaner energy supply, and develop local generation assets that will boost resiliency and economic development. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a power procurement model that allows local governments to pool the electric load of their residents, businesses, and institutions in order to purchase electricity on their behalf. CCA currently exists in six states, and plans are being made now to bring it to New York. CLP is hosting a forum for municipal officials and interested others on
Monday, September 29, 7 – 9 pm
“Taking Control of Our Energy Supply: Community Choice Aggregation for Municipalities”
SUNY/Ulster College Lounge, VAN 203 in Stone Ridge.
The event is co-sponsored by the Ulster County Association for Supervisors and Mayors, the Ulster County Planning Department, Citizens for Local Power, and Catskill Mountainkeeper. Speakers include the man who invented CCA almost 20 years ago in Massachusetts, and administrators of the Cape Light Compact (the nation’s first CCA, with 21 towns and 2 counties) and other existing CCAs such as the city of Lowell, MA. Please save the date for this informational forum. A flier is attached.
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) for NY State: In April, the NY State Public Service Commission (PSC) convened a proceeding to Reform the Energy Vision of NY State. CLP has actively participated in the REV process, serving on committees and subcommittees for markets and microgrids, consumer engagement, and platform technologies – learning as we went. Recently the PSC released its “Straw Proposal” for the REV for comment. CLP is consulting with area clean energy providers, unions, and others to ensure our comments are well-informed and incorporate the perspective of key stakeholders. For the PSC’s “Straw Proposal” and CLP’s response to the original proposal, see here. Documents # 109 (Straw Proposal} and 76 (Citizens for Local Power’s initial filing in response to policy questions).
Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC): Your help is needed to encourage Legislators in Ulster and Dutchess Counties to pass Local Laws to create the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), which allows area businesses and multi-family dwellings to finance energy retrofits and solar installations and pay it back on their tax bill with the savings that accrue from their energy improvements. Called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), this financing system is enabled by NYS Law and has been adopted by Westchester towns and by Orange County. Copies of the Local Law, key talking points and letters of support are available upon request to . Here’s a link to your reach your Ulster or Dutchess County Legislator.
Unified Solar Permitting: Right now, NYSERDA is offering municipalities a $2,500 incentive to adopt the Unified Solar Permit, which was developed as part of the New York Sun Initiative to expand solar energy throughout the state. Rosendale adopted the permit in May of this year. Rosendale’s resolution, permit, and CFA application are available upon request to . The permit will help ensure the safety of rooftop systems, while also removing a barrier to solar expansion posed by differing permitting requirements across New York’s many municipalities. It will send a clear signal to the solar industry that your town or city is open for solar business! As a Town Council member, Jen completed the CFA application for Rosendale, and it was quite easy. For additional information from NYSERDA, click here.
Sunday, Sept. 21, is the PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH in NYC. For more info: http://peoplesclimate.org/march/or call (845) 943-9617. A bus from New Paltz organized by Climate Action Coalition will depart in the early morning of the march; returning early evening. Tickets: $20 ($10 student/low income). Send check to: New Paltz Climate Action, PO Box 671, New Paltz, NY 12561. Include name, phone, e-mail and number of people. Or by rail: Lower Hudson People’s Climate March MetroNorth train leaving from Poughkeepsie at 8:45 a.m.; Beacon at 9:12; Cold Spring 9:20; Garrison 9:24 and Croton 9:49; arrive Grand Central at 10:41. Go to first 3 cars and bring signs and banners — but nothing on wood.
Hudson Valley New Capacity Zone (NCZ): The NCZ is in effect, but the NYS Public Service Commission and Central Hudson/Fortis are seeking to have the decision overturned by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are being heard by the Circuit Court on September 12, and a decision is expected soon thereafter on whether or not this rate increase to the Mid-Hudson counties north of NYC will stand.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) required the NY Independent System Operators (NYISO) to propose a means to attract new generating capacity into the Hudson Valley, as a means of providing additional electricity (for which the need is questionable). So far, the NCZ capacity charge has been paying regional fossil fuel and nuclear power plants more to deliver the same dirty and dangerous power they already have on line, will pay Cricket Valley more to generate electricity from hydrofracked gas, and has incentivized Danskammer to come back on line, retrofitting from coal to gas. The owners of Danskammer are now asking for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for this – yet another example of corporate welfare! In the meantime the NCZ has done nothing to promote the much needed transition to a Green Energy Economy, powered by fuel-free renewables, energy efficiency and demand response, but has put our electricity rates up with absolutely no public benefit.
Pipelines and Power Lines: The proposed Pilgrim Pipeline will run parallel to the NY State Thruway (I-87) through the center of Ulster County, carrying fracked Bakken crude oil to refineries in New Jersey. The project is still in the early stages, and well organized opposition is needed, as it is for the rail and barge options and the proposed crude oil transfer stations in Albany and New Windsor. Running west to east across the Hudson from Stony Point to Verplanck, the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion will run one-half mile to the south of Indian Point and expand from the present 26-inch diameter to a 42-inch pipeline. Investment in this fossil fuel infrastructure represents resources NOT being invested in clean energy alternatives and delays the achievement of state and federal goals. NYS’ Renewable Portfolio Standard is 30% by 2020; 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. It’s time to ensure our capital is invested in achieving this goal, not expanding fossil fuel combustion and our greenhouse gas footprint. (A backgrounder on the Pilgrim Pipeline is attached to this Newsletter.)
Transmission Lines. The Public Service Commission is holding a proceeding to rank the various transmission line proposals requested initially by the Governor’s Energy Highway Plan, and passing through Dutchess or, alternatively, Ulster County. Thanks to lots of opposition on the ground, the PSC has stipulated that new towers must be within an existing right-of-way. The upgrades are being opposed by local groups in Dutchess County. For more information on the PSC Matter: Alternating Current Transmission Upgrades – Comparative Proceeding; Case/Matter Number – 13-E-0488/13-02212 please click here. To connect with opposition groups, click here.
Central Hudson Rate Case. Believe it or not, Central Hudson Fortis has already filed to raise electricity and gas rates again. The increases will become effective in June 2016. Cenrtal Hudson Fortis is asking for hefty increases based in part on the “catch-up effect” created by the two-year rate freeze the company accepting during our fight against the Fortis takeover. Citizens for Local Power is a party to the rate case. CLP’s objective is to protect local communities and environment, taking every opportunity to move toward creation of a locally-based clean energy economy.
We hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful summer. Watch for the CLP website, which is in development and will be posted soon.
Sincerely,
Jessica Barry, Betta Broad, Susan Gillespie, Manna Jo Greene, Kelleigh McKenzie, Dawn Meola, Jen Metzger, Jess Scott, and Amy Trompetter.
Citizens for Local Power