Come to The Long Island Clean Energy Forum: Navigating NY’s Energy Crossroads. Tuesday December 4th 7:00 to 9:00 PM. This is what Long Island’s energy future should look like.
Come ready to learn your role in the push for clean energy…
So, what’s everybody doing next Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 7PM?
“At this forum, you will hear from a panel of well-respected individuals in the clean energy field, including Adrienne Esposito of Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, Peter Olmsted of the Vote Solar Initiative, Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy Long Island, as well as a representative from the offshore wind company Deepwater Wind.” –
Please join the Sierra Club and the Green Sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock on the evening of Tuesday, December 4th, 7 to 9 pm for a discussion on Long Island’s clean energy future. The forum will be held in the Social Hall of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock at 48 Shelter Rock Rd, Manhasset, NY 11030. You can find directions here: http://www.uucsr.org/find.asp
The Clean Energy Forum will provide a great opportunity to learn more about the current turning point in our energy policy and which path we need to take to achieve the future we want to see. This will be an action oriented discussion so
come ready to learn your role in the push for clean energy.
Find all the information and attendee registration here:
Industry-sponsored “Frackademia”, on grounds of a state school (geez!) is ended amidst a ridiculously outlandish fake study, with fake “peer” review.
Although, if you are the fracking industry, and you put out a fake study, and further fracking industry people do the review, then I guess, technically, that would be “peer review”.
Thankfully someone has a backbone and integrity! Our hats are off to SUNY Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi, who this week shut down SUNY Buffalo’s “Shale Resources and Society Institute (SRSI)”.
Their hydraulic fracturing (fracking) “study” (ostensibly to open up New York State resources against public outcry because our politicians put off decisions by saying we need studies) was just a fully funded front for the fracking industry.
“(From) its “shill gas study,” the first paper published by SRSI. All of the co-authors of this paper had direct ties to the oil and gas industry, as did four out of five of its peer reviewers.”
The head of SUNY Buffalo said:
“It is imperative that our faculty members adhere to rigorous standards of academic integrity, intellectual honesty, transparency, and the highest ethical conduct in their work. Because of these collective concerns, I have decided to close the Shale Resources and Society Institute.”
it’s time to get off the fence… take a minute to put your voice behind these renewable energy political motions!
The Election’s Over: So Now What?
Our take on the election:
I haven’t heard the full total yet, but at last count this summer big oil, coal, and dirty energy had spent in excess of $180 million and by election day had ramped that up to over $270 million spent on this year’s Presidential and Congressional races.. and LOST on many actual ballots.
In fact, they may have helped galvanize voters against their repugnant fossil-fuels-at-all-costs agenda. A must-read article here from Rebecca Leber at Think Progress discusses WHY, instead of just letting “you decide” with only innuendo, fear and half-truths to go on: Analysis: Why Voters Didn’t Buy TV Attack Ads From Fossil Fuel Interests.
Truth will out, as the Brits say.
That is, unless you count the costs their anti-renewables campaign contributions got them:
their bought and paid for witch hunts that made Solyndra a household name and all renewable energy implied as the same, causing a cascade of other failures.
putting an end to the measly, yet effective, Production Tax Credit (PTC)
help to brainwash “low information voters” as Bill Maher calls them, convinced they don’t benefit from a cheaper, cleaner, renewable resource
the idea that giving RE government support, as in tax break “subsidies”, even if only a microscopic percentage of what dirty energy gets, is a “boondoggle”!! I’ve gotta admit I love that word, it tells me instantaneously I’m dealing with one of the powerwashed!
Well, just because the party less antagonistic to renewable energy was re-elected and gained seats, doesn’t mean you and we should just sit on our collective haunches…
So here’s some political action floating at the moment:
� First, one of my renewables idols, Paul Gipe, says we should be bringing president Obama’s attention to our abysmal rankings and how far we’ve fallen behind most of the free world, and many of the not so free, as well.
You can read his article here: Now Re-elected, President Obama Should Examine US’ Renewable Rank
� I found in my inbox this great one from AWEA (American Wind Energy Association)’s Power of Wind, where you can sign their petition to:
It has helped spur billions in private investment, and helps serve the country’s strategic interest. They say the PTC has been instrumental in helping the wind industry to:
• Lower the cost of wind power by more than 90%
• Manufacture components for wind turbines at nearly 500 U.S. manufacturing facilities
• Power the equivalent of 12 million American homes
• Provide 35% of all new U.S. power capacity in the past five years
� And when you finish with that, you can then directly contact your legislators and let them know that they need to get on board via email on their system.
You can do that here: Save USA Wind Jobs: Contact Congress Today!
Both took less than 30 seconds.
if you like fresh water to come out of your faucet, you need to know about this.
“This is the most serious problem in the city’s history”- Harvey Weisenberg, Long Beach, NY State Assemblyman.
A major environmental issue you should know about of related interest to our local followers.
if you want drinkable water to keep coming out of your faucet, you need to see the story- click here at my personal local blog Making My Point-Point Lookout NY Blog.
Looking down the road: A new poll shows the overwhelming majority of Long Islanders want Renewable Energy for their electricity needs.
In light of LIPA’s looming (and hopefully not “dooming”) decisions on what they are going to do about generating our electricity in the future, some important answers emerge about what Long Islanders – LIPA’s customers – think and want.
The questions show an overwhelming majority of Long Islanders, in the 77-90% range depending on the question, are on board with changing over to renewable energy.
The Poll By the Numbers:
87%- believe New York State should honor it’s commitment to using 30% renewable Energy by 2015 (we’re way behind!)
85% support offshore wind power 12 to 15 miles off the coast of Long Island
78% prefer that New York utilities build new renewable energy infrastructure instead of additional fossil fuel plants
78% think the Cuomo Administration should prioritize clean, renewable energy resources ahead of fossil fuels
79% the majority want it, even if it costs more-only 16% wouldnt pay more!
89% – say we should meet our renewable energy goals using clean energy from projects built in New York State – (as opposed to “outsourcing” our renewable energy opportunities to another state to develop, deliver and profit from.)
You can find the poll and results for yourself here:
National Grid has had an accident, spilling 1100 gallons of mostly oil, with gas and other chemicals that are mixed with natural gas into Jamaica Bay, NY as they repaired/fixed an old gas main. (?)
According to officials, this happened at 1:30 am Saturday Morning, but some reports are saying Thursday night/Friday Morning, which means this was going on for over 24 hours? whats the real story?
that brings up some great questions…
Is 1:30am on a Friday night/Saturday morning the “preferred” time to be doing this work? or was it
an emergency?
a secret?
something else?
Although 1100 gallons is not a “big” spill, it is devastating to the immediate area.
It also brings to the front questions about the pipleine National Grid are bringing through that area (amongst all the nationwide pipleine fights with leaky pipelines everywhere- Enbridge, and other tar sands fails!!) As well as the Long Beach Pipeline / Liquid Natural Gas(LNG) Port Pipeline that gets shot down annually.
Just another reason we need to tell LIPA and National Grid that although we believe they are trying to do the right thing, the “right thing” is Renewable Energy. The old days are done and we should know better by now!
They need to be leading and pursuing CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW – it can easily be done, it’s just deciding they want to do it, instead of potential “disasters waiting to happen”.
Tuesday September 25, 2012: Point Lookout, NY. – Today Sierra Club partnered with Community Voices for Clean Energy at the Point Lookout Clean Energy Park to tell LIPA we need Renewable Energy, and not to lock us into fossil fuels for the next 30 years, as LIPA decide Long Island’s energy future.
Under watch of the 156 foot tall wind turbine, the speakers laid out why we all need to tell LIPA to invest, and heavily, in renewable energy as they decide what they are going to build and use for Long Island’s needed electricty generation-for the next 30-40 years!!!
At their upcoming October 2, 2012 board meeting, LIPA will be deciding how they are going to generate electricity, in many cases going out 20-30 years or more. The Sierra Club said:
“This show of support for clean energy comes at a critical juncture, as LIPA debates various sources of new power for Long Island homes.
All of the community members at this rally came out to express their concern about the current sources of energy generation and share their hope for Long Island’s energy future. Currently, both the State of New York and LIPA are failing to meet their renewable energy goals of 30% renewable sources by 2015 set by the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, which LIPA voluntarily committed to. The current debate over new sources of energy generation presents the best opportunity for LIPA to keep their promise to Long Islanders.”
Speakers presented their thoughts:
Dan Sabia, president of Built Well Solar, explains, “LIPA has a big decision to make soon, to continue to support clean energy here on Long Island. [LIPA] has the opportunity to help solidify Long Island’s position as a leader in renewable energy by moving forward with … clean energy.”
Andre Robinson, engineering student at Farmingdale State said: “The Long Island I would like to see is leading the country in clean energy innovation because LIPA made the right decision to invest in clean energy now for our future. Because of this the Long Island I see has good job opportunities… jobs that pay well and promote healthy communities at the same time.”
“Speaking as a mother,” Bahar Zoghi said, “with [global warming, carbon dioxide emissions, pollution]… if we keep depending on fossil fuels, conditions will just get worse. I think it’s time we really think more clearly about that, not just for us but for our kids. We owe that to them and the next generation.”
Peter Gollon, Energy Chair of the Long Island Sierra Club, challenged LIPA to have the “courage” to make this necessary change. He said, “We are here to tell them to find the courage to actually lead us into the future of renewable energy, where we all know we have to go…Our children and grandchildren can’t wait”
We dont think we can wait either.
We are at a crossroads.
The way is pretty clear.
So what the HECK are we waiting for?
If the wrong decision is made, we will be stuck with dirty energy for a looooong time, and the future on Long Island will be delayed a generation.
TAKE ACTION: Click on this link> Tell LIPA- We need clean energy. follow the instructions to let LIPA know you want clean energy.
Today-Several dozen concerned citizens, hosted by The Sierra Club, were literally “calling” on LIPA to invest in clean, renewable energy.
Those calls were to let LIPA know that instead of sticking all of us into long range contracts that will keep Long Island fossil fuel-dependent for many decades to come, they must pursue clean energy.
LIPA is deciding over this week how they are going to replace their old power plants and how they are going to provide the additional power Long Island’s growth is demanding.
Today, The Sierra Club and Community Voices for Clean Energy are calling on all of us to let LIPA know that the only way is ahead to renewables, and not to go back to dirty fossil fuels!
You can make a difference, LIPA is listening!! heres how:
instructions for calling LIPA. Let them know you want renewable energy!
Rally Tuesday, September 25, 2012 here at the Town of Hempstead’s Point Lookout Clean Energy Park Wind Turbine. Let LIPA know we want them to move into the future for their energy generation needs by investing in and delivering more renewable energy!
Thanks for the wake up from Sea By The City about this rally tomorrow:
Very important: LIPA is deciding how they are going to make electricity for the next 30-50 years. They are going to invest in some kind of power plants. They need to decide NOW.
WE need to TELL them to do it with clean, renewable energy: wind, solar etc.
A recent report showed that by the year 2050, if we go full on into replacing all old power plants with renewable energy now, while doing moderate energy efficiency, the U.S. will SAVE over 5 TRILLION dollars versus not changing to renewable energy, while creating hundreds of thousands of permanent jobs!
If we don’t, and stick with old dirty energy, it will COST US THE SAME to build the power plants, PLUS THEN WE WILL SPEND that 5 TRILLION ON FUELS(coal, oil, natural gas etc) to generate the electricity!!! And all we’ll have to show for that extra $5 trillion will be more pollution, more climate change, and more of all the other problems we have right now because of those things.
We need to change over, we need to do it now, and we need to say so!!
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials and Fracking Interests are running hand in hand… so what about the Environmental Conservation interests of New Yorkers?
Disturbing news is emerging that despite public outcry, the NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation(DEC) is succumbing to intense lobbying efforts from the fracking industry, ***stop press as we just learned ***
or worse may actually already be in bed with them.
several months’ (reports range from 6-10 weeks) early notification of impending regulations and recommendations so they could strategize, organize and maximize their lobbying efforts properly,
they have had input on tailoring upcoming regulations, and
may have even steered the environmental review process.
at best, the DEC have left all these accusations highly questionable-at worst they’re all true.
After Governor Cuomo said the regulations would be based on science conducted (which seemed to support the public outcry) and not politics, it seems state employees and regulators may not necessarily see it that way since they allowed fracking industry:
access to drafts of the state’s permit plans,… used that information to lobby hard against testing for radioactivity in wastewater, for example.
it goes on to say
seventy New York state legislators on both sides of the aisle pointed out six major issues they said were under-addressed …
Instead of focusing on issues like these, DEC staff were busy discussing zoning questions with industry lawyers and providing drillers with a chance to weigh in on the expense of complying with environmental protections.
We love the one where the fracking industry is now talking about getting rid of fracking waste “water”- by legally spraying it on local roadways!
You must read it.
****stop press*****
As if this all wasn’t outlandish enough…
it is now coming to light that the person at the DEC in charge of all this, is being outed as a fracking and drilling proponent who also publicly supports climate change denial.
Is that who we want in charge of our state’s Environmental Conservation!!
So is Bradley Field, the petroleum engineer and drilling proponent who can’t remember if he is a climate change denier; the holder of a singularly influential position to determine the outcome of shale gas development in New York state as the issuer of permits and the overseer of regulations — Is this Bradley Field nonpartisan? It’s a relevant question.
Not only relevant, it begs other questions:
should any singular unelected government official wield so much power?
Shouldn’t that person in charge of environmental conservation always err in favor of environmental conservation?
SUNY Buffalo No Longer a Party to Peddling Buffalo Chips.
The State University of New York at Buffalo Logo
Industry-sponsored “Frackademia”, on grounds of a state school (geez!) is ended amidst a ridiculously outlandish fake study, with fake “peer” review.
Although, if you are the fracking industry, and you put out a fake study, and further fracking industry people do the review, then I guess, technically, that would be “peer review”.
Thankfully someone has a backbone and integrity! Our hats are off to SUNY Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi, who this week shut down SUNY Buffalo’s “Shale Resources and Society Institute (SRSI)”.
Their hydraulic fracturing (fracking) “study” (ostensibly to open up New York State resources against public outcry because our politicians put off decisions by saying we need studies) was just a fully funded front for the fracking industry.
Great quote from Steve Horn at Desmogblog
The head of SUNY Buffalo said:
BRA—VO!
You can read all about it here:
Breaking: SUNY Buffalo Shuts “Frackademia” Center, Shale Resources and Society Institute from Desmogblog.
In today’s news, the Fox said the Chickens don’t have to bother looking out for foxes anymore.
Whew! That’s a load off our bird brains!
Now in good news, check out the following stories we LOVE to hear about:
GE Celebrates Installation Of 20,000th Wind Turbine – Clean Technica
To enhance national security, the US military invests in hundreds of cleantech projects – The Energy Collective
1st Carbon Auction in Cash-Strapped Calif. Raises Nearly $300M – Inside Climate News
Wind Power Might Meet 1/5 Of Global Electricity Demand By 2030 – Clean Technica
Buoy to study offshore wind conditions placed 23 miles off Jersey Shore – NJ.Com / Star-Ledger
Group says Long Island’s residential power could go renewable by end of decade -Easthampton Star
Keep us posted!
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