THE GREEN SHEET

Vol. 9 - No. 10
October 2004

Lead Story: New Energy
On the Alert
For Your Information
Activists' Corner
The Month Ahead
Contact Information

New Energy

The development of new renewable energy generation in New York got a big boost Sept. 22 when the state Public Service Commission (PSC) voted in favor of an historic renewable portfolio standard. Under the plan, New York has set itself on course to ensure that at least 25 percent of the electricity sold in the state comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, fuel cells, hydropower and biomass by 2013. The PSC’s plan comes very close to fulfilling a commitment Gov. George Pataki made in his 2003 State of the State address. As a result, hundreds of millions of new dollars will be available for investment in the state’s renewable energy infrastructure during the coming years.

“There are compelling reasons for New York to make this move,” says Environmental Advocates of New York Air and Energy Project Director Anne Reynolds. “Thirty counties in New York fail air quality standards, and the costs of relying on imported fuels are obvious. Most important, New York is beginning to take responsibility for its fair share of the pollution that causes global warming.”

According to a Wall Street Journal report on the day of the decision, New York is joining 16 other states in taking action to stimulate renewables. Only California has a more ambitious plan. The Journal sees the current round of activity coming in the absence of leadership from Washington. President George Bush has stated his opposition to a national mandate for the use of renewable energy resources. His Democratic challenger, John Kerry, says his goal as president would be to generate 20 percent of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Currently, about 19 percent of New York’s electricity qualifies as renewable energy, primarily from two large hydro-electric dams on the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. Boosting the state’s output to 25 percent under current financial realities means a major investment in wind power. New York’s current wind capacity is about 40 megawatts (MW). That must grow to close to 4,000 MW by 2013 for the PSC’s plan to succeed.

The environment scored another victory in the decision as well. After receiving thousands of letters and much public testimony, the commission ruled that garbage burned in municipal incinerators does not qualify as a renewable resource.

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On the Alert

♦Hot Stuff: Global warming will worsen urban smog in cities like New York City and Buffalo, according to Heat Advisory, a report released in August by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Smog is formed when pollution from power plants, automobiles and industrial sources mix with sunlight and heat, so it’s no surprise a warmer climate will mean more unhealthy air days. The report projects that global warming will diminish the number of healthy summer days in Buffalo by 17 percent. Congress has before it the Climate Stewardship Act, H.R.4067, which would limit emissions of the gases that cause global warming. The bill would stabilize global warming pollution at year 2000 levels. The bill is a sensible and necessary first step to curbing global warming. Urge your Representatives to sponsor this bill. To read the NRDC report, visit: www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/heatadvisory/heatadvisory.pdf. For more information, contact Christine Vanderlan, EANY, at cvanderlan@eany.org or 518-462-5526 ext. 234.

♦Hearing Aid: The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding public hearings on rules to reduce the pollution that causes acid rain (see The Month Ahead). Under consideration are the same rules DEC approved last year. Those, however, were struck down in court on a technicality. As a quick fix, the department has implemented the regulations through an emergency process, but they must also be re-promulgated. In this second round, however, the state should cut sulfur dioxide even more than originally proposed, and should enact regulations to control carbon dioxide and mercury as well, two pollutants that are currently unregulated. Written statements may be submitted until 5:00PM on October 22. Send comments to: Michael P. Sheehan, P.E., NYSDEC Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-3251; call 518-402-8396 or email mpsheeha@gw.dec.state.ny.us. For more information, contact Christine Vanderlan, EANY, at cvanderlan@eany.org, or visit: www.eany.org/issues/cleanair.html.

♦Pipe Down: The NYS Legislature recently passed a bill banning the use of toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl pipes in the state. It is being sent to Governor Pataki for his signature, but he is under pressure from industry to veto the legislation. Roughly 50 percent of all PVC is used in pipes, making this a significant environmental reform and the first statewide PVC plastic pipe ban in the nation. Urge the Governor to support this landmark legislation (A.11660/S.7577) and protect New Yorkers from the use of this dangerous substance in major buildings across the state. Visit Citizens’ Environmental Coalition at http://cectoxic.home.igc.org/action.html for more information, or email: ceckathy@igc.org.

♦Make the Point: With two recent documentaries on HBO and the release of a new study, Riverkeeper has launched the next phase of its campaign to close the Indian Point nuclear power station. The group also has a new website: www.secureindianpoint.org. Visit for information, downloadable posters, and actions you can take. For more information, contact Lisa Rainwater van Suntum, Indian Point Outreach Coordinator at Riverkeeper, at lisa@riverkeeper.org.

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For Your Information

♦Howdy Partners: New Partners for Community Revitalization (NPCR) is inviting New York City-based non-profit developers and non-profits working with for-profit developers to compete for assistance offered through the Brownfields START-UP Pool. Assistance is available for site-specific, community-supported brownfield redevelopment projects, and will be in the form of targeted technical assistance and/or forgivable loans. Upfront, flexible assistance provided through the Pool will help make projects affordable and will allow projects to secure remediation loans through the NY Metro Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, a new regional financing mechanism to leverage private investment in brownfields in low and moderate income neighborhoods. NPCR will hold its first public information session on October 13 (see calendar). For information, visit: www.NPCR.net.

♦ The Far Side: The Regional Plan Association recently released two new publications. A Civic Assessment of the Lower Manhattan Planning Process provides a status update on the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11. A Citizens Guide to the Hudson Yards Draft Environmental Impact Statement provides a brief summary of the 4,000-page environmental review analyzing impacts of the proposed Far West Side redevelopment. Both publications are available at www.rpa.org.

♦ If You Build It: Citizens’ Environmental Coalition’s new report, Building Green Without Going in the Red: A Household Guide to Healthy, Affordable Building Materials, looks at the toxic problems of conventional building materials, discusses safer, cost-effective options and provides examples of alternatives and where to find them. Visit: www.cectoxic.org to download a copy, or request a printed copy by calling 518-462-5527 or 716-885-6848 or emailing cectoxic@igc.org.

♦ Celebration Time: DEC, along with numerous other sponsors, is holding a 10-day celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Catskill Park. From October 2-11, Lark in the Park will feature more than 60 free guided hikes, walks, paddles, biking tours, and fly-fishing events, as well as exhibits and festivals. For more information about the Catskill Park Centennial, go to www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/publands/cats/catskillcentennial.html. For a free program guide, call 877-426-0323, email CatskillLark@aol.com or visit: www.catskillpark100.org.

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Activists' Corner

Up the Creek: One of New York State’s most intractable environmental justice issues is being debated in Syracuse, where Onondaga County and the state Department of Environmental Conservation plan to build an above-ground sewage storage facility in the mostly African-American Midland Avenue neighborhood. The Partnership for Onondaga Creek has been fighting the proposal for years. Earlier this year, the group asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the plan under federal civil rights laws. In late September, the agency announced that the investigation will take place.

Although demolition of some neighborhood homes has already begun, it is not too late to shift to an underground facility that is better for the community and better for the environment. The Partnership is calling on Gov. George Pataki to help re-start negotiations. For more information, email aggielane@a-znet.com, call 315-478-4571 or visit: www.peacecouncil.net/creek.

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The Month Ahead

October

1: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference, sponsored by The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. SUNY Purchase. $25. Call 718-920-5016.

1: Solar Power: Here and Now, audiovisual tour of solar powered buildings around the world given by award-winning architect Steven Strong. Sponsored by Neighborhood Energy Network, Big Apple Solar Installation Commitment and The Cooper Union Dept. of Public Programs. Hewitt Auditorium, 2nd floor, 41 Cooper Square. 7:00PM. Free. Call Jeff Perlman at 212-684-3890.

2: Green Building Open House, sponsored by Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. Visit homes and other buildings throughout the northeast that are taking advantage of clean renewable energy and other green building technologies. Visit: www.nesea.org to find a tour near you.

3: Feast of St. Francis and Annual Blessing of the Animals. The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Manhattan. 1:30PM-4:30PM. Call 212-316-7540.

4: Women's Lives, Children's Futures, Planet's Hope: The Power and Promise of International Family Planning, sponsored by EANY, Center for Environment and Population, National Wildlife Federation, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and more. Learn about the campaign to improve both the environment and the lives of women and families worldwide. Campus Center Room CC375, University at Albany, Albany. 6:30PM-9:00PM. Call 518-434-5678 ext. 133.

5 & 6: Talk and book signing with Lester Brown, founder of Earth Policy Institute and author of Plan B: Rescuing a Planet under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble. Sponsored by Dutchess Community College (DCC) Student Association, SUNY New Paltz Student Association and Synthesis, and others. 10/5: DCC, Dutchess Theater, Poughkeepsie; 10/6: SUNY New Paltz, Studley Theater, New Paltz. Talks-7:00PM, book signings-8:30PM. Free. Call Synthesis at 845-255-0011.

10-13: 40th Anniversary National Wilderness Conference, organized by the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks and others. Ft. William Henry Lake George Resort Lodging and Conference Ctr., Lake George Village. Fees vary. Visit: www.wilderness40th.org.

12: An evening with Lois Gibbs, Sandra Steingraber, Vernice Miller Travis and Joanne Shenandoa, sponsored by the Partnership for Onondaga Creek (see Activists’ Corner). Syracuse University Hendricks Chapel, 3:00PM; South Presbyterian Church, 7:00PM. Call 315-478-4571.

12: Acid Rain hearings (see On the Alert). NYSDEC, 625 Bdwy., Public Assembly Rooms 129A and 129B, Albany. 9:00AM. Also: 10/13, DEC Annex Region 2, 11-15 47th Ave., Hearing Rm. 106, Long Island City, 11:00AM; 10/14: DEC Region 5 Conference Rm., 1115 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook, 11:00AM; 10/15: DEC Region 8 Conference Rm., 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, 11:00AM. Call Christine Vanderlan, EANY, 518-462-5526 ext. 234.

12-13: Clean and Green, 4th Annual Empire Energy and Environmental Exposition (E4), sponsored by the Environmental Business Association of NYS. Gideon Putnam Hotel and Conference Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. Fees vary. Register by Oct. 1. Visit: www.eba-nys.org.

13: EANY’s annual Voters’ Guide, an insiders guide to the environmental record of New York State’s Legislature & governor, released at Albany press conference. Contact Jeff Jones at 518-462-5526 ext. 233.

13: Brownfields RFP Information Session (see FYI). Hosted by the Planning Center at the Municipal Art Society, 457 Madison Ave., Manhattan. 8:30AM-10:00AM. RSVP required. Email: JodyKass@yahoo.com.

20: On-site Generation — Opportunities and Obstacles for Solar, Cogeneration, and Wind, seminar sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Renewable Energy Resources Committee. 12:00PM-2:00PM. Teleconference 12:30PM-1:30PM. Email: esussman@hnrlaw.com.

20-21: 15th Annual NYS Recycling Conference, sponsored by the NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling and NYS DEC. Syracuse Holiday Inn. Fees vary. Call 888-925-7329.

28-29: How to Turn a Place Around, workshop sponsored by Project for Public Spaces. This workshop is designed for professionals and non-professionals who help shape towns and cities. Fees vary. Visit: www.pps.org or contact Jande Wintrob at 212-620-5660 or jwintrob@pps.org.

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THE GREEN SHEET
is produced monthly by
Environmental Advocates of New York.
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Managing Editor • Jeff Jones
Editor • Laura DiBetta

To Contact Elected Officials:

Governor George E. Pataki
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
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New York State Senate
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518.455.2800
www.senate.state.ny.us

New York State Assembly
Albany, NY 12248
518.455.4100
www.assembly.state.ny.us

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