It's a beautiful summer day and there's great reason to celebrate: Our side has won a MAJOR court decision that could have far-reaching and positive e
It's a beautiful summer day and there's great reason to celebrate: Our side has won a MAJOR court decision that could have far-reaching and positive effect on the future of the infrastructure battle. So enjoy today with an outdoor festival on Governor's Island, where you'll run into many of our peeps performing climate theater. Rest up, 'cause there's no lack of things going on in the week coming up!
Breaking News: Major FERC Smackdown!
A decision, issued Friday on the Tennessee Gas NEUP line, could not have been more explicit in its condemnation of FERC for approving the project despite an illegal segmentation and turning a blind eye on cumulative impacts. Despite the cheeky response of a pipeline spokesperson (who clearly expects the FERC rubberstamping machine to continue spitting out approvals), the decision is a clear win for our side, and ammunition for future battles.
Read our summary analysis here.
Legislation: Only 2 Weeks to Get 'er Done
The State legislative session ends on June 20th, so we need a BIG push to get A6863-B(the Radon Bill)to a floor vote: The bill passed the Health Committee and we hear that it will be voted on early next week by the Codes Committee (Thanks to everyone who called committee chair Lentol's office last week!) Then we have a mere two weeks to get it through the Ways and Means Committee and onto the Assembly and Senate floor. Five members of Codes also sit on Ways and Means, so calls now have double the impact! We're counting on you: If anyone can push this through, it's our solid group of savvy New Yorkers.
Here's all the contact details and a call script.
Monday, June 9th is a lobby day, so if you'll be in Albany for any reason, remember to push for all these good bills! There are always great bills vying for attention every year at the close of session. Efforts are afoot to push several fracking bills and Move to Amend is close on votes to support a resolution to end corporate personhood.
SUNDAY: Outdoor Festival & Parade Today!
FIGMENT is one of the most spectacular outdoor festivals that happen in NYC every year: A FREE participatory art event that is 100% volunteer-powered, with incredible interactive artwork, family-friendly fun and a stunning view of the NY Harbor.
ALSO ON SUNDAY: Help outreach for the September's People's Climate March at the always festive Puerto Rican Day Parade. Sign up for time slots (including a brief training with each group) starting at 10am or 12:30pm. Meet up on the steps of the New York Public Library at 42nd and 5th. Look for organizers wearing brightly colored pink and blue t-shirts.
UPSTATE Monday @6pm: Ground Zero for Frack Waste
Chemung is a place where the spring water has attracted visitors since a 100 years ago. But now Chemung could become a hot spot in a way no one wants:
The County Legislature is deciding whether to expand its landfill to accept increased capacity, most of which would be radioactive fracking waste, of a type that is water soluble. Leachate from the dump is collected in "ponds" and trucked to Elmira water facilities for "treatment," after which it is dumped directly into the Chemung River, a drinking water supply. There is no treatment facility in the county that can remove radioactivity from water.
Attend the rally and hearing and demand the legislature:
Deny expansion of the dump's tonnage capacity;
Stop accepting drill cuttings into the dump;
Remove existing drill cuttings from the dump;
Prohibit future disposal of ANY frack waste in Chemung County.
Meet outside the Hazlett Building at 203 Lake Street, Elmira at 6pm.
Tuesday, June 10th @6:30pm: Helen Slottje in NYC
The NYC Community Garden Coalition is holding their first fundraiser in many years at historic Judson Memorial Church, with keynote speaker, recent Goldman Prize winner,Helen Slottje. Helen is the renowned environmental lawyer who is defending Dryden/Middlefield town bans. More than 170 towns and cities throughout New York have passed local laws prohibiting fracking based on Slottje’s innovative legal framework.
Honoree: Speaker of New York City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito.
Musical Guests: Diana Jones, Rashad Brown.
Judson, 55 Washington Square South at Thompson Street Tickets here ($50 +).
Wednesday, June 11th @ 7:30pm: China Gets Fracked
Join Mother Jones and Climate Desk for an exclusive preview of a year-long investigation into China's nascent fracking boom, followed by a discussion of China's energy future moderated by Climate Desk producer James West, in conversation with Mother Jones reporter Jaeah Lee, Asia Society's Orville Schell, energy adviser Ella Chou, and Gasland director Josh Fox.
Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue at 70th street.
7:30pm event tickets are $10 for non-members
Tickets for 6pm gala reception are $250.
Friday, June 13th: Comment on Cove Point LNG
FERC issued an Environmental Assessment for Dominion's proposed Cove Point, Maryland LNG (Liquified natural gas) export terminal on May 15th, with a scant 30-day comment period. Guess what? FERC evaluates the plan as having no significant environmental impact! (Hmmmm, where have we heard that before?)
Maybe FERC believes Dominion's promo for their environmental stewardship (shown at left) which looks more like a Viagra ad than the way any normal person would describe the facility. Let's see:
• The site is adjacent to a residential neighborhood, a state park and Chesapeake Bay. What, me worry?
• 2470 people live within 1 mile
• A 60-foot "vapor wall" will be built around it because a fire would be so forceful.
• $40 million must be paid by Dominion because the project poses no benefit to Maryland.
• The project has been compared to Bhopal.
And save the date for a HUGE rally in DC at FERC offices on July 13th! More than 50 groups have signed on to attend, and thousands are expected--everyone fighting LNG, pipelines, fracking from multiple states will be there! We'll gather at 12:30 for a 1pm rally at the Capitol. Buses are being organized, updates soon!
Saturday, June 14th in Long Beach: The Wind Run
The Liberty LNG port, proposed off Long Beach, competes with a proposed wind farm. Did you know a second wind farm off Montauk is also in the works? We know that Mark Jacobson's plan for a renewable New York State can only happen with offshore wind. We know that the only path forward on a warming planet is a future with wind.
To highlight the 2 projects, Sierra Club organizer and Long Island resident, Matthew Kearns will run from Montauk to Long Beach (108 miles) IN ONE DAY!
Matt says, “We want to connect the dots between the two wind projects and show the need for offshore wind energy.” He plans to leave Montauk Point between 1 and 2 a.m, launching a 21-hour run (not a misprint) to arrive in Long Beach by 9pm. A rally, concert and party will take place on the boardwalk in Long Beach to welcome Matt.
Join us earlier that afternoon to leaflet in the town center, where there'll be a street fair. We'll alert residents both of the LNG port and the party later. We'll have a picnic dinner and a dip in the ocean before the rally starts. Meet us in Penn Station at 12:15 to catch the 12:38 train out. Bring sunscreen and beach supplies; we'll bring the flyers!
Making this even more meaningful, Matt was one of the 14 activists arrested with us last November 2, 2013, for blocking the West Side Highway to protest the gas being turned on through the Spectra pipeline. Next Saturday's rally will be another true show of solidarity between NYC and Long Island. Don't miss it.
Wednesday, June 18th @ 5:30pm: No Impact Picnic
Come enjoy a summer night with friends in the West Beth courtyard on Bank Street near the Hudson River. Colin Beaven (No Impact Man) will talk about living sustainably in NYC, Rachel Schraegis will perform her beloved "Cranky," and there'll be food, fun, and fireflies!
