As fall arrives, I am reaching out to our members and subscribers to this newsletter to ask for some help.
For CCAA to be true to its name in promoting Awareness and Action on Climate Change, it is crucial that more members step up and actively contribute to the organization.
It doesn’t have to be tons of time.Maybe helping at a tabling event; writing a timely article for the newsletter; attending a meeting or presentation; or preparing the logistics for an event.If you want to be more involved, how about providing technical assistance to a not-tech-savvy president or taking on the position of secretary or treasurer. There are many small contributions that would be welcomed to help in advancing our cause.Please think about it and jump in!
See the schedule elsewhere in our newsletter for our upcoming presentations on November 12 and December 10.(Please note that our October presentation had to be canceled.) They are timely topics that should be of interest to all.
On another note: VOTEin this coming election for legislators that support reducing climate altering chemicals at all levels of government from village trustee to the U.S. president.
Announcements
UPDATE ON NYS LEGISLATION: In the September newsletter, our legislative contact provided information on pending bills. Here’s what’s happening:
–The Climate Change Superfund Act is awaiting the governor’s signature.
–The CO2 Fracking Act is also waiting for the governor’s signature.
–The NY Heat Act is pending legislation in both the Senate and the Assembly.
–The Just Energy Transition Act has passed the Senate but awaiting action in the Assembly.
–The Package Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act has passed in the Senate but is awaiting further action in the Assembly.
–The Bigger Better Bottle Bill has not been acted upon in either the Senate or the Assembly but has progressed further.
SUGGESTED READING FOR OCTOBER:Eleutheria by Allegra Hyde. A compelling read, it contrasts an idealist’s plan for a quick-fix climate rescue with the “alarm bells” of reality.
Do you have a little extra time to help CCAA in our mission? We’re looking for someone with a little tech experience that can help advise us on some graphics for the newsletter. And, if you’re a numbers person, would you like to shadow our treasurer? Maybe you just love tapping away at that keyboard. If so, our secretary could use your expertise. Please contact our president, George, at loreficegj@gmail.com if any of this interests you.
It’s Time to Vote Environmentally!
Submitted by Roseann Lorefice, CCAA Newsletter Editor
This year, climate will be on the ballot up and down the political races. Of key importance is the race for the 22nd District between incumbent Brandon Williams and John Mannion. All voters concerned about climate should determine where each candidate stands, and then share their support, or their concern. Voting matters, more than ever. CCAA reached out to both campaigns.
“’As a former science teacher and member of the New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, John Mannion is committed to growing a clean energy economy, protecting our environment, and combating climate change. That’s why John was endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, the biggest grassroots Environmental organization in the state.
John has championed environmental conservation in the New York State Senate. He passed legislation to fight climate change and provide long-term protection to the water supply that hundreds of thousands of Central New Yorkers rely on. As our representative in Congress, John will pursue policies that build a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. His priorities include:
—Combating Climate Change: Continuing American leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting communities from severe weather events. —Guaranteeing Clean Air and Water: Providing additional funding to replace lead pipes in our water systems and ensuring clean air while we live, work, and play.
—Transitioning to a Green Energy Economy: Supporting the goals of a transition to renewable energy sources using wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear energy to power our economy.
—Affordability and Reliability: Ensuring that the transition to a renewable energy economy maintains affordable energy prices and reliable service and is not done on the backs of hard-working rate payers.”
BRANDON WILLIAMS: The Williams’ campaign did not respond to our request but in an interview with the Post Standard, published on September 9, 2024, Williams expressed the following opinions:
–He opposes federal plans to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as wind, hydro and solar. –He wants to expand the use of nuclear energy, reopen mothballed nuclear power plants, and expand natural gas exploration.
–He supports opening more federal land to oil and gas drilling and restoring work on the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
In addition, he also wrote legislation that condemns President Joe Biden’s administration for refusing to approve new permits for companies to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced in the United States.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS. WHO BEST REPRESENTS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL VIEWS?
Action on Climate Change = Patriotism
Submitted by Dale Sherman, CCAA Member (wingsinger@gmail.com)
Taking action on climate change is patriotic. I’ve been saying this for years. Climate change is a symptom of greater ills. The U.S. has a trade deficit, and our energy prices are highly dependent on global energy prices, specifically fossil fuels.
By improving the energy efficiency of our buildings, industries, and transportation, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil. By electrifying everything and increasing our renewable energy production, we can further reduce our import of foreign oil and stabilize our economy.
Implementing energy efficiency and electrification reduces trade deficits, improves our national security, stabilizes our economy, and improves our air quality which reduces our health care costs. Those are great ways of being patriotic. And the side effect of being patriotic like this is that it also addresses climate change.
Not only does taking steps towards efficiency and clean energy make you a good American citizen, but it also makes you a good world citizen.
Editor’s Note: Dale Sherman is the featured speaker at our CCAA November member meeting. His topic is Efficiency: The Complement to Sustainable Energy.” Mark your calendar for November 12, 2024, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville Library.
Electric School Buses: We Can Do This!
Submitted by Sonia Kragh, M.D., CCAA Treasurer (sykragh@yahoo.com)
There was enthusiastic attendance and participation at the September 19, 2024, electric school bus information event. Participants learned all about “how to” transition New York State school district fossil fuel bus fleets to electric. CCAA partnered with Sierra Club and others to sponsor the event. Guest speakers with up-to-date knowledge advised attendees on how to begin to plan for and purchase E-buses in advance of Board of Education state directives which mandate zero emission bus purchases by 2027 and fully electric fleets by 2035. Attendees were left with a sense of confidence that “we can do this”, whether as voters, educators, school bus operators, council and school board members, or maintenance personnel.
Rhea Jezer, Ph.D., President of Energy 21 and Chair, Sierra Club Central Northern NY group, (rjezer@gmail.com) moderated the panel of presenters. Panelists highlighted that the priority was for school districts to develop a Fleet Electrification Plan.
The content of the Guidebook is up to date and provides information, strategies, and resources to transition to electric buses.
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Leslie Vishwanath, (leslie.vishwanath@nationalgrid.com) is leading the implementation of National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Fleet Make-Ready and Fleet Advisory Services program. She offered advice about the details of what needs to be done for successful infrastructure in order to achieve sustainable electric bus school routes while phasing out fossil fuel buses. Develop and implement a fleet electrification plan!!!:The plan ideally will include charging stations for visiting public/private buses as well.
Barry Carr works with public and private sectors, including the U.S. Department of Energy, and provides outreach to educate transportation professionals on the purchase and use of zero emission electric buses. (coordinator@ccofcny.com). He has helped numerous school districts around the country, large and small, achieve the goal of one or more electric buses in their fleet. (Slides of this entire presentation are available through his contact email). His office is available to begin work on a Fleet Electrification Plan, tailored to the specific needs and goals of a district.
Jeremy Johnston with NY Bus Sales (jjohnston2@newyorkbussales.com) anticipated many questions about incentives and rebates and incremental costs related to transition from fossil fuel to electric buses. Costs to maintain electric buses are ultimately cheaper, and there are training programs for transportation and maintenance personnel to effectively make the transition to electric. There may also be added incentives if districts permanently scrap fossil fuel buses. His staff is ready to assist with a detailed Fleet Electrification plan and bus purchase. He stressed that the time is NOW to develop a plan, and to start slowly with 1-2 buses, with the shortest routes. As battery life continues to improve, and costs continue to drop, from year-to-year school districts can plan to scrap fossil fuel buses and add electric buses to be compliant with a fully electric fleet in 2035.
CCAA encourages all to take action with their school districts to develop a Fleet Electrification Plan and put the purchase of one or more electric buses and appropriate infrastructure on the May 2025 budget propositions. I will add that as a physician, it is imperative that we reduce transportation-based greenhouse gas emissions from buses, as they not only contribute to climate change, but cause daily health risks to students, bus drivers, bus garage personnel, and the public along the bus routes.
Together, we can do this!
Editor’s Note: The FM student newspaper The Buzz featured an article about this meeting. It is encouraging to see that the youth of today are aware of the necessity of responding to climate change in a proactive manner. You can access that article RIGHT HERE.
Board Highlights
Meeting 9/8/24
–Review of upcoming Speakers for Monthly Meetings
–Applause for the Bread and Roses Event
–Discussion of t shirts for CCAA members
–Status of efforts to incorporate CCAA
–Update of Micron Grant application with other organizations
–Discussion of our policy vis à vis nuclear energy; to be continued
–Plans to discuss having a vision for CCAA
ORGANIZATION: Onondaga Earth Corps
EVENT: EarthCorps Encore Celebration and Fundraiser
WHEN: October 12, 2024
TIME:5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
LOCATION: ESF Gateway Center, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, NY
LOCATION:Various Polling Sites. Check HERE for your site.
ORGANIZATION: CCAA
EVENT: Member Meeting
WHEN: November 12,2024
TIME:6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION:Fayetteville Library Community Room
“Efficiency: The Complement to Sustainable Energy”
Presentation by Dale Sherman, Energy Researcher and Educator
ORGANIZATION: CCAA
EVENT: Member Meeting
WHEN:December 10, 2024
TIME:6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION:Fayetteville Library Community Room
“Sustainable Strategies in Architecture”
Presentation by Professor Brian Kelly, Architectural Studies and Design, SUNY Morrisville
Climate change and the Brain?As climate change becomes more evident, some of us may have noticed that the behavior of people around the world ischanging. A neuroscientist turned journalist explains the connection between climate change and brain health in this article.
Central New York Clean Energy Hub.A one-stop location for everyone in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties to connect with the growing opportunities to be part of the clean energy economy, including jobs, energy efficiency improvements to their homes or buildings, and considering solar and heat pumps where appropriate. Go here. to read about it.
“Plugging In” Podcast Update. Welcome to episodes that power your way to a brighter and healthier NY. In each 10-15 minute episode, we simplify complex energy topics, bust myths and spotlight New York’s innovative sustainability efforts. Choose your podcast topic HERE.
Battery Production. The U.S. is behind China in ramping up battery production, but hopefully a $3 billion push fromthe governmentwill help US manufacturers leap forward with battery innovation and production.You can read about it in THIS ARTICLE.
CCAA members are encouraged to attend the monthly member meetings, either in person or via Zoom. Below is a schedule of upcoming presentations. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Within NY Renews, the Youth Committee is a space mostly for high school and college age individuals. We’re moving towards bi-weekly trainings followed by community organizing to support our campaigns. Joining the youth committee is a great opportunity to level up your organizing, learn about campaigning, and get involved in the climate justice movement.
We meet every other week with additional time on projects for those interested. If you are interested, please fill out the sign-up form so we can get more info about your interests and experiences (it’s not competitive). We would love to hear from you!
