Members of CCAA standing in a group, celebrating Christmas.

Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2026

Letters to the editor and feedback always welcome: n ews.ccaa@gmail.com.

Musings from the President

Submitted by George Lorefice (loreficegj@gmail.com)

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

2026 should prove to be another interesting year. As a 501(c)(3) organization, CCAA cannot support a particular candidate, but we can support policies. As a proponent of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GhGe), we should be voting for those people who support the policies that reduce them. That not only includes energy production but also our food supply, eating habits, manufacturing, farming practices, etc.

Photo provided by Roseann Lorefice.

I have said it before and here it goes again: the biggest threat to GhGe is our own federal government. The solution seems to be mostly a political one. Enough said on that!

Another “said it before” is that as a movement, we need to push the positive economics of renewable energy and avoid mentioning “heating the planet”, “climate change”, “melting ice” as much as possible. If we can get solar and wind with batteries in place, the rest will follow.

VOLTS podcasts offer great examples of what is happening in the rest of the world regarding energy production. Take a look HERE at Australia, where they are providing three hours/day of free electricity to everyone due to the abundance of solar panels. Look RIGHT HERE at Pakistan, whose citizens, not government, are taking the lead in deploying cheap Chinese solar panels. Look HERE at Germany and their installation of “Balcony Solar” panels available at box stores to provide 10-15% of household electric needs. There is hope HERE in the U.S, with Illinois passing three bills in the last few years geared to power generation that support clean energy and a comprehensive redo of the electric grid.

Here in N.Y.S., political and practical forces have caused backtracking on the promises of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). One win was the elimination of the 100-foot rule for the installation of new gas hook-ups.

In 2026, CCAA will continue to be a force for reducing our GhGe through education, our newsletter, tabling events, presentations, letters to the editor and monitoring Micron’s impact on CNY’s environment. We ask that you step up to help us along in these endeavors. Help in the form of participating, volunteering, writing for our newsletter and donations. Our core of volunteers can’t do it alone without help from more of our members.

So, as we move into the New Year, keep the faith in what we are all doing. We may be in a pause right now, but economic and moral forces may kick in to turn the tide.

From the Editor…

Submitted by Roseann Lorefice (loreficer@gmail.com)

As 2025 fades into the past and 2026 begins, I can’t help thinking of the phrase, “…it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”. Yes, there were some positive environmental achievements (listed elsewhere in this newsletter), but we have to acknowledge that with the current administration fighting to rescind all our accomplishments, the next year offers formidable challenges.

However, my optimistic nature impels me to focus on the strength and resiliency that we and our environmental colleagues have shown. So, let’s take up the challenges and forge ahead. We must; the consequences are too great!!

Bon courage, everyone!!

Legislative Update

Submitted by Jan Kublick

I feel as if I should try to sum up the year from a climate perspective, offer a ‘box score’, even if Team Climate had a very tough year.

At the Federal level every effort is being made to deny the science, and to prop up the fossil fuel industry. Fossil industry lobbying and disinformation, enthusiastically echoed by the Federal Administration, attempt to stop renewables here and abroad. In New York, the new State Energy Plan calls for an ‘all of the above’ strategy, including nuclear and natural gas, reflecting concern for the affordability of New York’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Governor did, however, recently sign the ‘100 Foot’ Legislation ending New York’s practice of ratepayers subsidizing the cost of gas extensions to buildings. The new message is “affordability”. Industry opposition and the lack of wide and robust political support for renewables makes that calculation politically prudent in an election year.

So, what to do? The science is real and clear. The U. S. government is denying the simple chemistry and physics that threaten the future of human civilization. China has a clear opportunity to dominate the future with batteries, electrification, EVs, solar and wind energy, and the rare earth minerals to do it. The rest of the world is deploying renewable energy at an accelerating rate, because it’s the cheapest way to power heating, cooling, transportation and industrial growth. Fuel from the wind and the sun is unlimited, and free. The U. S. will soon have to compete with countries powering their economies in a vastly cheaper and cleaner manner.

This year, CCAA will enthusiastically support renewable energy, and state and local policies that make them available. Locally, please support efforts to encourage Micron to power its facility with new renewable energy. Talk to family and friends about renewables. Finally, urge everyone you can to support the policies and the political candidates who are working for renewable energy. Consider supporting the work of the Environmental Voter Project.

The upcoming year in climate will require renewed dedication, lots of effort, political engagement at the state and federal level, and a certain stubborn courage borne of an understanding of the stakes and benefits, and the certainty that we have both the science and the economics on our side and that we are fighting for a livable future.

With that, CCAA wishes all a happy, busy and committed New Year!

Announcements

SPECIAL MEMBER MEETING: Mark your calendar. February 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., Congressman John Mannion will join us on a CCAA sponsored event on ZOOM. He will share his perspective on:

—federal efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

—any federal oversight of Micron, pressuring the company to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by using clean energy that is not sourced from the existing grid.

—current efforts in Congress to reverse policies that have now eliminated solar, wind and battery implementation that are taking us backwards

— what can we, as a climate group and as individual citizens, do more effectively to address climate change

Time permitting, he will answer questions. We will send out information ASAP to register for this event. And we encourage you to share this event with friends, family and neighbors.

WELCOME … to the over 100 folks who recently signed up for our newsletter after having attended Plowshares in early December! We are happy to have them join us and help in what is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, protecting our fragile environment.

ALLIANCE for a GREEN ECONOMY, a non-profit headquartered in Syracuse that is working for safe, affordable energy and the development of a renewable green economy in NYS is in search of a Communications Director (mostly remote). The position will help promote the transition to a carbon-free and nuclear-free future and educate the public about alternatives to revitalize the economy and safeguard human health and the environment. You can access the JOB DESCRIPTION.

IT’S ELECTION TIME: For CCAA, that is! Every two years, all offices and committee chair posts are up for election. If you are interested in actively participating in our organization, please submit your name and intended post to pwirth2@verizon.net. Deadline is January 20, 2026.

CCAA members wish one and all a Happy and Productive New Year!

Photo provided by Donna Vallese

DONATE

For the past 10 years, CCAA has worked to inform and educate the public on many climate issues. We are so proud to announce that this year we were able to attain non-profit status! That means that YOUR donations to us are now tax deductible!!
Will you help us do more?

Your contribution now will help us in many ways: paying fees to climate events, supporting our website costs, paying for office supplies, purchasing a tent for tabling events….and the list continues.
It easy! Just click and donate RIGHT HERE!

UPDATE: what’s happening…

Submitted by Sonia Kragh, CCAA Sustainability Chairperson, sykragh@yahoo.com

Micron delivered its Final Environmental Impact Statement
The public was given the opportunity to review it and determine whether its concerns were addressed
Micron began the process of requesting the necessary permits to begin the project
The public had the opportunity to comment on the issuance of those permits.

Update 1/4/26: Micron applied for 10 permits with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. These are required for Micron to proceed. Nine permits have been issued. The 10th requires completion of public comments and relates to Air Title V permitting for air emissions of Fabrication Plants 1 and 2.

CCAA Sustainability Chair Sonia Kragh and others submitted comments. This application is premature as construction has been delayed for two years. The recommendation was to deny the permit until more information is available, including related to the toxic chemicals discharged during plant operations. Details of the 10 permits may be found HERE.

The Town of Clay is requesting more information from Micron regarding storm water management. The entire region is in a 100-year flood plain; getting storm water management right is critical to avoid flooding since surface waters are disrupted with removal of wetlands, trees, agricultural land once construction begins.

Editor’s Note: CCAA is a member of the coalition Sustain CNY sustaincny.org which organized in part to prevent potential harm related to Micron’s operations. CCAA members Jan Kublick and Sonia Kragh represent us, providing insight into environmental concerns relating to Micron demolition, construction and operations, including to Air and Water Quality.

Sonia chairs a subcommittee whose goals are to establish baseline, construction and operations monitoring to prevent potential harm from Micron. The subcommittee has partners from many disciplines in order to establish what is already being done; offer recommendations on what should be done; and hold Micron fiscally and legally accountable for potential air and other pollution.

For more information on what you can do as a CCAA member to hold Micron accountable, reach out to Sonia at sykragh@yahoo.com

Good News

2025. Was it a Good Year for the Environment? There were some big wins across the country.

⦁ A comprehensive clean energy bill in Illinois that Chicago Metro chapter volunteers successfully lobbied for.

⦁ Seven key environmental bills in California focused on air pollution, clean energy, and energy capacity that were signed into law with help from our California Coalition.

⦁ A proposed petrochemical plant stopped by volunteers of the Susquehanna Valley Chapter.

⦁ Successful resistance to a bill in North Carolina that would have eliminated an energy company’s climate commitments and raised energy costs for consumers.

Despite challenges this year, we continued to show up and meet the moment with determined climate advocacy in every corner of the country.
And we’re gearing up for more in 2026!

NYPIRG has launched a new Community Solar Program. Participating in this program will bring you savings on your electric bill while helping to add more clean, local solar power to New York’s power grid. You will be reducing your home’s carbon footprint. Find out more about the program and sign up HERE.

100 Foot Rule Signed into Law. Governor Hochul has finally signed legislation A.8888/S.8417, ending a policy which forced ratepayers to subsidize the expansion of gas pipelines. The repeal of this subsidy will save New Yorkers an estimated $600 million per year in increased energy costs according to a study by the Public Utility Law Project (PULP).

Student Holiday Project. The Environmental Club at Cazenovia High School created free, 100% recyclable wrapping paper distributed by local businesses around town during the holiday season. When community members scanned the QR code on the wrapping paper, it led them to a document explaining the (bottle and can) redemption center crisis and urging a call to their local congressmen to support legislation.

Great job, young environmentalists!

Cheap Solar is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa. Chinese solar panels are now so affordable that businesses and families are snapping them up, slashing their bills and challenging their utilities. You can read all about it AT THIS LINK.

Not so good News

Europe Gets Cold Feet. The E.U. is poised to water down its plans to ban the production of gas- and diesel-powered cars by 2035. Members of Parliament voted to delay the rollout of a groundbreaking deforestation law that would affect far flung corners of the globe. And lawmakers chipped away at the scope and scale of new disclosure requirements meant to force companies to be more forthcoming about their plans.

Governor Hochul, again. The Governor made numerous decisions this year to deepen New York’s reliance on fossil fuels and hamper renewable development. She approved the 3.2-billion-dollar Williams NESE fracked gas pipeline in NYC and granted permits to build a Bitcoin-mining fracked gas power plant in the Finger Lakes.

Indefensible action by Trump. The administration shut down all work on five offshore wind farms off the eastern seaboard. The move essentially gutted the country’s nascent offshore wind industry in a sharp escalation of President Trump’s crusade against the renewable energy source.

The decision injected uncertainty into $25 billion worth of projects that were expected to power more than 2.5 million homes and businesses across the Eastern United States, according to Turn Forward, an offshore wind advocacy group. The five wind farms were projected together to create together about 10,000 jobs. The Interior Department said the projects posed national security risks, without providing details. The decision imperils billions of dollars of investments.

E Links

***On the indispensable VOLTS PODCAST , David Roberts interviews Australian Saul Griffith about the success of rooftop solar in Australia, and what was behind that success. For CCAA, takeaways include urging National Grid and the Public Service Commission to make interconnection easier, and to focus heavily on all the barriers to rooftop solar, including misinformation, local approvals and inspections. There is so much in the Podcast I urge all CCAA members to listen to it carefully.

***Every other Thursday there is a new episode of WAER’s environmental podcast Deeper Shade of Green! Recent episodes include “Huge data centers devour resources but could those needs drive policy & innovation” in which Merritt Cahoon and Ian Hitchcock from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy join to discuss what data centers could mean for the environment. The episode can be streamed here: Link.

In another recent episode focusing on New York’s initiative to plant 25 million trees, Dr. Colin Beier, Professor in SUNY ESF’s Department of Sustainable Resources, explains the benefits of increasing New York’s forests, adding urban forestry, and planting are on private land. The episode can be streamed here: Link.

Environmental Calendar…

January 15, 2026. 12 p.m. Panel discussion on organizing Older Climate Voters sponsored by the Environmental Voter Project and focusing on the growing strength of climate voters aged 65 and older. Register HERE to participate and learn how to utilize this strength.

January 28,2026,9:00 a.m. – January 29, 2026, 4 p.m. Albany, NY. Exact location to come. Join us and NY Renews as it celebrates 10 years of fighting for climate action, lower energy bills, climate and economic justice, and good union jobs. More information and registration HERE.

February 7, 2026. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Youth Climate Summit and Green Fair. Held at SUNY ESF. CCAA will have a presence at this venue to share information about our organization. Other groups interested in participating are welcome and may sign up HERE.

February 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Albany, NY. 3rd Floor Terrace of the Legislative Office Building. “Put People Over Plastic” rally and advocacy day. Let’s pass the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act! REGISTER!

FEBRUARY 10, 2026. 5:30 p.m. Zoom call with Congressman John Mannion to share his perspective on climate issues. Details will soon be sent out with instructions on registering for this event!

April 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Twenty Second Annual Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century. Gateway Building, SUNY ESF. Cutting edge information on renewable energy for wind, thermal, hydro, solar and geothermal. Sign up information available from Rhea Jezer at rjezer@gmail.com or energy21symposium.org

News and Info

NEW REPORT: Governor Hochul stalls climate action amid a $15 million fossil fuel blitz. A new report finds that fossil fuel companies and utilities have been lobbying since 2021, boosting their influence by 52% and stalling clean-energy and affordability policies. While polluters protected their profits, New Yorkers saw higher bills, repeated rate hikes, and delays on climate action. You can read the report HERE.

ENERGY. We talk about energy a lot these days, where it comes from, how it’s produced, etc. Here’s an opportunity to learn a bit about “embedded energy” …..CHECK IT OUT!!

NYS All Electric Bill Rollback. Want to know more about its effects? Check it out by listening HERE.

Help CCAA’s Mission : Purchase a t-shirt

These t shirts make great gifts for special events: birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine Day, Easter and don’t forget Earth Day! Your family and friends will enjoy receiving one, especially knowing that the gift represents helping the environment!

From the beginning, CCAA has focused on its mission to inform and educate the public about the need to protect our environment in the face of climate change. Our organization sponsors events that bring this goal to the public. But we need your help.

Volunteers offer time and energy but the reality of the costs of providing materials, sponsoring attendees at conferences, attending tabling events, maintaining our website, etc. have mounted and so we’re reaching out to you. Can you help?

Purchasing a CCAA t shirt not only supports our efforts but promotes more awareness every time you wear it. It’s available online at THIS SITE.

Image provided by Michael Lorefice

NY Renews Youth Committee Opportunity
NY Renews is a coalition of over 300 organizations fighting for climate justice in New York State. Currently, we’re focusing on a budget campaign demanding NY State invest $15 Billion in the budget this year for climate justice.

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!

Here’s the form to sign up!