Rally for “Climate, Jobs, and Justice” Held at Governor’s Mansion as Part of National Day of Action
Albany, NY—Capital District leaders and community groups held a rally on Saturday to call on Governor Cuomo to commit to a just transition to renewable energy and divest public pensions from fossil fuels. Community members also called on the Governor to develop renewable energy alternatives to a proposed fracked gas plant in Albany’s Sheridan Hollow neighborhood.
Statewide actions took place in coordination with hundreds of events across the United States and around the world ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, which begins on September 12th. Communities across New York State demanded Governor Cuomo and New York State elected officials (1) stop all fracked gas projects (2) commit to a just transition to 100% renewable energy and (3) make corporations pay for polluting our air and water.
“This year is once again on track to be one of the hottest years on record and massive storms and other extreme weather events continue, testifying to the need for immediate action on climate change,” said Judith Enck, Former EPA Regional Administrator and Capital District environmental leader. “Given that the President is a climate denier and in league with fossil fuel interests, we are calling on Governor Cuomo for leadership through steps like halting all fossil fuel projects in the state, making corporate polluters pay, and establishing a plan for a just transition to renewable energy. We need far more than sweeping rhetoric from the Governor and the Legislature to address what can only be described as a existential threat to humanity.”
“To save life on our planet, we must end the era of fossil fuels now and begin the transition to 100% clean energy. It makes no sense either financially or morally for the New York State pension fund to continue to invest billions in fossil fuel companies that are driving climate chaos. We need the State Comptroller to provide climate leadership in making New York the first state to divest from all fossil fuels,” said Mark Dunlea of PAUSE and the Green Education and Legal Fund.
“Global warming demands immediate action to stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure and begin dismantling the pipes, power plants, and compressor stations that crisscross our country. In proposing to build a fracked gas power plant in Albany, Governor Cuomo is taking a giant step backward into climate devastation just as he claims to be a climate leader,” said Ruth Foster of NY Climate Advocacy Project and SHARE. “Governor: make Albany a shining example of our renewable energy future, not a continuation of our current energy policy of environmental racism, climate destruction, corporate greed, and political hypocrisy.”
“Albany is rising for climate! The Capital District zero waste community has established the first zero waste music festival hosted by the City of Albany. At this event, food vendors have all transitioned to compostable dishes and over 60 people have volunteered to work the festival’s zero waste stations. Zero waste and materials management is one of the quickest, easiest, and most effective first steps for a community to immediately reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Governor Cuomo should match the community’s initiative to reduce greenhouse gasses and take actions to reduce fossil fuel infrastructure at the state level,” said Amy Forando, Capital Region Earth Day.
“When Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy (SHARE) was formed in August of 2017 to oppose the Sheridan Hollow powerplant, the New York Power Authority stated that alternatives to the fracked natural gas microgrid were considered and found to be infeasible. However, in response to SHARE’s FOIL request, NYPA stated in part that, ‘The Authority has conducted a diligent search of its records and was not able to locate any responsive records.’ NYPA’s disingenuousness is appalling. Andrew Cuomo must be forced to live up to his stated renewable energy objectives,” said Merton D. Simpson, Albany County Legislator, District 2, and Co-Chair of SHARE.
The proposed Sheridan Hollow fracked gas plant, located in a low-income community of color that has suffered due to a trash-to-steam plant shut down in the 1990s, is being built to power the State Capitol and Empire State Plaza.
“Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP) fought Kinder Morgan’s NED pipeline in Rensselaer County and we won! Through this fight we learned how fracked gas contributes to global warming. We continue to support other communities fighting fossil fuels, to educate our community about the climate crisis, and to promote renewable and sustainable solutions in our community. We are proud to be part of the international move to Rise for Climate,” said Becky Meier of Stop the NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP).
“It is critical that Governor Cuomo pass climate legislation that includes just transition provisions for both impacted communities and workers,” said Anita Thayer, Co-Chair of Capital District Citizen Action and an Albany resident. “Black and Brown communities around the state, including Arbor Hill, Sheridan Hollow, and the South End in Albany, have borne the brunt of pollution, and they need targeted assistance in order to fully benefit from our state’s clean energy future.”
“We can and must transition to renewable energy to protect the climate for our grandchildren. The good news is that solar, wind, and geothermal options are available now that can produce the power we need. Climate advocates are leading the way. We must make sure our politicians join us in our fight for a sustainable energy future,” said Robert Connors, Co-Chair, Community Advocates for Sustainable Energy (CASE).
“The continuing extreme heat this summer is yet another illustration of why major states like New York and California have to take the lead on climate change. It goes without saying that we can’t rely on President Trump, who declared that climate change was a hoax. We need Governor Cuomo to exercise real leadership on climate. Step number one for the Governor to lead on climate change is passing the Climate and Community Protection Act in 2019, which sets New York on a path for a 100% renewable energy economy and ensures fair labor standards for workers and that communities of color that have borne the brunt of pollution have the resources to begin a just transition to a renewable energy economy,” said Ken Scott, New York Renews Steering Committee member and GreenFaith Albany Organizer.
“We need a just transition from an economy based on corporate exploitation of people and the natural world to a system based on renewable energy, recycling materials, and restoring ecosystems,” said Mark Schaeffer of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Capital District. “To overcome concentrated wealth and power will require a diverse, sustainable mass movement to a new system based on democratic decision-making and a culture of sharing.”
“We are in a fight against time to save life on this planet. We live in a world of unsustainable practices that impact our climate and people’s lives and livelihood.
Remember who you vote for matters, climate deniers must go!” said Cari Gardner, New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN), Environmental Committee Co-Chair.
Participating organizations included Citizen Action of New York, AVillage, Capital District Earth Day 2018, Capital District Democratic Socialists of America, Creation Care and Justice Action Committee of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, Community Advocates for Sustainable Energy, Green Education and Legal Fund (GELF), NY Renews, NY Climate Advocacy Project, NY Progressive Action Network, People of Albany United for Safety Energy (PAUSE), Public Policy and Education Fund, Sheridan Hollow Alliance for Renewable Energy (SHARE), Sierra Club Hudson-Mohawk Group, Solarize Albany, Stop the NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP), Working Families Party-Capital District,
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