All Our Energy

On June 21, 2016 at Hofstra University, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held their off shore wind presentation and open house about the New York Off Shore Wind Energy Area.

In addition to our advocacy for top environmental standards and local Jobs i gave verbal testimony :

“Much can happen between now and potentially 2023, 2024-5 before the first turbines are possible to be installed under this EA.

With our time to avert climate change running out, time is of the essence.

We need to make sure there is a federal process that fully investigates potential use while facilitating the best possible project in the shortest possible time.

If each project will have these tremendous time periods, off shore wind on the east coast would be on track to only partially be developed by 2030 and beyond. This is not fast enough.

Because of this long lead time, it could potentially  be three presidencies before groundbreaking.  This process needs to protect itself from regime change where a new administration could undermine the entire process.

When we look at the alternative of “No action”, from now on, it must include the difference in climate change causing, noxious, and poisonous discharges avoided by the wind farm as not providing that benefit. It’s not wind versus nothing!

We need to make sure there’s a state purchasing pipeline so there is certainty that new fossil fuels and nuclear are not needed and especially, are unwanted.

We also strongly implore this body to maintain open communication with access, accountability and concern for all. We cannot afford an argument against the process, to become an argument against off shore wind. Eg: 3pm BOEM webinar was announced at 1:40 pm. This was seen as excluding those who have concerns and couldn’t attend on 80 minutes notice.
The idea of a webinar for public engagement is fantastic. Giving people such short notice easily invites charges of unfair play and exclusion.  Let’s let the issues stand or fall on their merits, and not on miscommunication and disrespect or feelings of unequal access or inequity in this process.

This is just too important.”

You can leave your comments to BOEM before July 6 when comments will be closed.

Comments may be submitted before July 6 by one of two methods:
Electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry entitled, “Enter Keyword or ID,” enter BOEM-2016-0038, then click “search.” Follow the instructions to submit public comments.

or..
Mail or deliver in an envelope labeled “Comments on New York PSN” to:

BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs

45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP

Sterling, Virginia, 20166

Additionally, there was a New York City open house and meeting on June 29, 2016. A big rally was held before it in Bryant Park…

see the parade of wind supporters at this video link:
https://www.facebook.com/AllOurEnergy/videos/vb.292560230840982/1008280652602266/?type=2&theater¬if_t=like¬if_id=1467322704026197

The international event comes to Long Beach, NY.

The BYOBagLB campaign will organize many events in the month of July 2016 to raise awareness of the dangers and damage plastic pollution causes, and issue the Plastic Free July challenge to you!

Take the challenge:
Attempt to refuse single-use plastic during July. “Single-use” includes plastic shopping bags, plastic cups, straws, plastic packaging… anything that’s intended only to be used once and then discarded. Too daunting? this time, try the TOP 4 challenge (plastic bags, bottles, takeaway coffee cups, & straws).

The rules:
Remember, it’s not going to be easy! It is a challenge, not a competition so don’t worry about being perfect.
Collect any unavoidable single-use plastic you buy. Keep in a dilemma bag and share it with us at the end of the challenge.
It’s up to you how long you participate. You might decide to go plastic-free for a day, a week, a month or longer! However long you choose will still make a contribution.

Why you should participate?
Apart from the small amount of plastic which has been incinerated, EVERY piece of plastic ever produced still exists on earth somewhere. In the first 10 years of this century MORE plastic was produced than the entire last century!

RSVP and share the event here

Sign up for the challenge here

Follow the participants’ blog here

See all the LBNY Plastic Free July events here.

Why use something for a few seconds that is going to spend the rest of your lifetime trying to break down in landfill? We must change our habits.
Let’s start here, let’s do it together!