Editor’s note: CCAA is changing its publication date. The newsletter will now be arriving towards the beginning of the month. Deadlines for articles will change accordingly. To accommodate this change, the next issue will be December.
Environmental Bond Act
Submitted By Sonia Kragh, M.D
On election day 2021, New York voters overwhelmingly passed the Environmental Amendment to the New York State Constitution, giving everyone the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment. On pause due to the coronavirus epidemic was the 2020 Restore Mother Nature Bond Act. Thankfully, the NYS legislature passed this measure for the 2022 general election, renaming it the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Measure).
Climate Change Awareness and Action endorses a YES VOTE for Proposal 1, the Environmental Bond Measure.
Please Vote and Please Vote Yes for Proposal 1. :
“To address and combat the impact of climate change and damage to the environment, the “Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022” authorizes the sale of state bonds up to four billion two hundred million dollars to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. Shall the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 be approved?”
The Environmental Bond Measure is Proposal 1 on the ballot for the November 8, 2022 election (early voting October 29-October 6 and by absentee ballot). A Yes vote supports New York State issuing up to $4.20 billion in bonds to pay for projects related to the environment and sustainable communities, including protection of natural resources, improving water infrastructure, and climate change mitigation. Projects will be statewide and referred by local municipalities, towns, and cities and are consistent with the Environmental Amendment to the NYS Constitution. Capital improvements and enhancements are designed to afford resiliency and sustainability.
Projects that will be eligible under the Environmental Bond Act include; wetlands preservation, which affords more open space, water filtration, carbon sequestration and protection from storm surges; green building, such as solar arrays, heat pumps, wind turbines, reflective roofs, green roofs; measures to improve air quality, such as zero emission buses and urban forestry. Dated water infrastructure (sewers and pipes), some involving lead, will be replaced, while simultaneously improving water quality by redirecting and reducing runoff that can cause algal blooms and storm surge flooding. Recognizing the importance of living in a healthful environment, the measure looks to both conserve lands and waters, while improving recreational opportunities.
Environmental equity remains a priority, with up to 40% of the $4.2 billion bond revenue designated for disadvantaged communities, as identified by The Climate Justice Working Group. These considerations include socioeconomic status, existing pollution and environmental hazards, and areas vulnerable to flooding, storm surge and urban heat island effects.
The Economics of passing Proposal 1 are a plus for the state. Taxes are not raised in a bond measure, and income from bonds issued is raised on a rolling basis up to the maximum approved by the voters. Acting now will save later by preventing damage from storm surges, water main breaks, illness and lost revenue related to air and water pollution. It is estimated that 100,000 good jobs will be generated. The Environmental Bond Measure protects workers by requiring that they receive a prevailing wage as set by the department of labor for each region. This ensures that workers will be paid enough to live where they work, and that contractors can’t “race to the bottom” to bring in out of area potentially lower skilled workers for reduced pay. (info from Marina O’Donnell, Political and Legislative Director NYS Conference of Operating Engineers)
Climate Change Awareness and Action endorses a YES VOTE for Proposal 1, the Environmental Bond Measure.
As we approach the autumnal equinox and the midterm congressional, state, and local elections, now only three weeks away, it is important to share your climate concerns with others, and to be sure that you think about how your vote will matter to the climate effort. Some elections, especially for Congress, offer stark differences between candidates on climate. The positions of candidates for state and local elections are often harder to discern, but those officials have much important climate work ahead of them. Resiliency and sustainability are no longer abstract concepts. They are essential tasks, as floods, droughts, storms, harmful algal blooms and invasive species represent new normals for all public officials. Add to that the need to quickly implement programs for renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency, and vehicle electrification, all mandated by state law and necessitated by the new facts on the ground. No candidate for public office should be allowed to hide his or her position or plans about these issues.
An even casual look at news media shows that human caused climate disruption is all around us here in central New York, the rest of the country, and the world. Our son planned to leave his house in the Bay Area of California in the face of 114-degree warnings and projected rolling blackouts. However, the area of the Sierras he wanted to go to was blanketed with smoke from a newly raging wildfire. Pakistan, the 5th largest country in the world, has been devastated by monsoon rains falling on already flooded areas, affecting 33 million people, and wiping out a third of the agriculture of the nation, during an already politically challenged period. Climate disruption will continue to create havoc, and refugees, and threaten gains in food security, disease prevention and control, political stability and human rights worldwide.
There is still time to avoid the worst effects of climate change. We should therefore not despair, even if the stakes are truly high. The recent federal legislation and state laws coming from New York and California, among others, show legislation can still make a difference. So too can we as individuals and as a movement make a difference. We can choose electric appliances and heating and cooling systems, electrical and hybrid cars, and home solar and battery installations. We can support renewable energy projects and urge our towns, cities, schools and libraries to be climate proactive. We can show and share our climate concerns by what we do and say. It is not a hopeless task, and trying to do what you can for your children’s and grandchildren’s futures feels infinitely better than helplessness.
Our grandchildren, 2 and 4, were recently with us for 10 days. They will be 10 and 12 in 2030, and 30 and 32 in 2050. What we do now will fundamentally affect the lives they and the rest their generation around the world will live. That’s reason enough to share, vote and act on our Climate Concerns. Let’s keep doing that for them and for the future’s sake.
Can EV Charging Stations Keep Up with EV Sales Growth?
Submitted by Dr. Chris A. Bolt
Image provided by plugndrive.ca
Policy changes this past month in New York could help greatly increase the number of electric vehicles purchased by drivers around the state. But new research finds one barrier might significantly limit that growth.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she’s directing the Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt rules for car sales similar to California that completely stop selling of fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
“… regulatory action that will require all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035. This is a crucial regulatory step to achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions from the transportation sector,” Hochul said in a release.
Such moves help push auto makers and dealers to switch more inventory to electric vehicles. But research conducted by Zutobi, a company that helps young people drive safely and learn about driving, shows a significant problem for increased adoption of EVs. Co-founder Leo Waldenback says one key ingredient is missing from a future with a lot more EVs on the road.
“So then you will need to have a vast charging infrastructure to be able to hit those goals. I would say New York is actually one of the best states, but I can definitely say (charging station growth) is not enough right now. And the thing is also that we see a huge year by year increase in EV sales, but we don’t see any increase that matches that in terms of charging stations. So it’s really lagging behind and I think it’s just going to get worse.”
The announcement by Hochul was praised by a number of environmental groups. Environmental Advocates NY Director of Climate Policy Conor Bambrick calls it a great day for all who breathe.
“Passenger vehicles with no emissions will lower carbon, smog, and soot pollution in our air and improve the health and well-being of every New Yorker. The State Legislature and Governor should be commended for their foresight in advancing a law last year that would mandate a goal that all passenger cars and trucks sold or leased in New York State be zero-emissions by 2035 as soon as California acted. As New York adopts these rules, Governor Hochul must make sure we use every resource on the table to make electric vehicles accessible for all,” said Bambrick in a release.
Environment America sees the move as not only benefitting health and climate, but the green economy in New York. The group notes New York ranks third in the nation for 2021 electric vehicle sales and second in the U.S. for growth in electric vehicle (EV) charging ports and total EV charging ports.
“New York is in the driver’s seat when it comes to tapping into the expansive opportunities offered from the growth of the electric vehicle marketplace across the U.S.,” stated Environment America Research & Policy Center’s advocate David Masur. “State and local leaders should be applauded for their leadership and having the foresight to put New York at the forefront of the nation’s growing electric vehicle market.”
The Environment America Research & Policy Center released a new online dashboard, Renewables on the Rise 2022, which documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the United States over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.
Still Zutobi’s Waldenback contends that charging station growth will turn into an Achilles heel holding back the industry as more electric vehicles hit the road.
“…most states are not prepared at all. They have a few thousand chargers. But the thing is, we have to remember is that the transition towards EVs has just started. So if it’s fine right now, that doesn’t mean for in two years’ time it won’t be fine if it continues like this because EVs sales are just ramping up right now and it will need to accelerate much faster than it is right now to hit these goals.”
California is out in front, with by far the most EVs on the road and roughly 42,000 charging stations. Waldenback says New York is also doing well. In 2020 there were around 5700 chargers. By the beginning of this year it increased to nearly 7600, but now, 9 months later, the increase has slowed with just over 8100 charging stations. By contrast in 2021 EV sales almost doubled form the previous year to 33,000 vehicles. And just 9 months later there are 52,000 on the road. His point is that the sales growth far outpaces the infrastructure growth.
“It’s the government that has to create the infrastructure. But I think (the US) governments can look at Europe and what they’re doing because in the United States so far we’ve had private actors … put up their own charging station. So Volkswagen can put up their charging station; Tesla like can put up their charging station, but they have special plugs,” said Waldenback.
In Europe, he explains, all charging is done through universal plugs. That problem is evident right here in Syracuse, where a highly touted installation of EV chargers only works with Tesla vehicles, unless owners of other brands have converters.
The entire report on states’ charging station growth can be found here: The 2022 EV Charging Station Report: State-by-State Breakdown (zutobi.com)
Find more environmental and local news coverage at WAER.org.
Editor’s Note: Chris Bolt, General Manager of WAER Public Media, has been a journalist covering environmental topics and local news for more than 30 years.
Where’s the Green?
Submitted by Allyson Farnand
Image provided by syracuse.com
SYRACUSE: The wealthy neighborhoods on the nice side of town, no doubt, have the green – literally. Studies show that the degree of tree canopy directly correlates with and can often be used to predict income levels. Forest density also acts as a predictor of physical health, as low-income and minority neighborhoods are more likely to suffer from respiratory issues, cardiovascular complications and diseases, and various types of cancer.
Trees are the underrated hallmarks of urban planning, yet they’re often perceived as luxuries that spring up wherever the money nurtures them. As trees reduce carbon dioxide and other pollutant concentration, prevent erosion and runoff, and naturally provide air-conditioning, they become major assets to maintaining urban developments. However, several low-income and minority neighborhoods have been constructed with less of these essential components to combat the sweltering summer heat, along with air and noise pollution.
What results is termed as the urban heat island effect, which refers to the congregation of buildings and asphalt containing far more heat than the surrounding areas. As asphalt is famous for absorbing exorbitant amounts of heat and burning bare feet, the neighborhoods themselves become significantly hotter. A report done by Pew Charitable Trusts have demonstrated that low-income and minority neighborhoods are 10° hotter than their more affluent counterparts. Due to the increased temperature, residents of these areas are more likely to experience a reduced quality of life, respiratory issues, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and non-fatal heat strokes.
A study in Colorado similarly found that reduced lung function was associated with living in poor and minority communities, along with less college graduates, lower income earners, and fewer homeowners. Another study using demographics from 2018 demonstrates that it’s not only the direct neighborhoods that suffer, but also the neighborhoods that the residents travel to for work, general errands, and recreational activities that experience increased pollution levels.
Hispanic communities especially, along with Black and Asian neighborhoods, are affected the most. Some scholars argue that redlining has contributed to the environmental and physical health issues, as it is mostly poor minority communities that report higher levels of health complications and pollutant concentration.
Where does Syracuse fit into all of this? Are we equally as guilty?
Not quite – we’ve actually made some commendable strides! Stephen Harris, city arborist, has made it his mission to increase the density of trees in Syracuse. The current plan is to plant over 70,000 trees over 20 years and increase the number of canopy coverage from less than 30% to over 40%. Harris notes how there are 4,000 vacant lots that can be filled with trees to spruce the area up, yet due to the city’s condensed urban nature, there will be a need for additional space to plant trees. He acknowledges that public and private involvement will have to come together for this to happen, such as planting trees in church areas: altogether, these organizations have 1,300 acres to plant trees on. However, planting trees is no easy financial feat. The cost plus the implementation of each tree costs around $400, but some would argue that these efforts are no doubt worth the expense.
Trees are the ultimate staple that urban planning often neglects; without them, the disparities between neighborhoods only widen. Looking at the temperature map of Syracuse, it isn’t a uniform picture – some areas, like Park Avenue and Downtown Syracuse are far redder than Westcott and further south of the city, which points to major income differences among areas. Planting trees would not only alleviate the bloated temperatures of Downtown, Franklin Square and Park Avenue, but it would also demonstrate priority in these essential areas.
As efforts to ameliorate the situation have already been launched, Syracuse should continue emphasizing the environment and the welfare of its residents. Increasing and investing in the urban canopy demonstrates that these neighborhoods are not second thoughts or lesser than but priorities that we are all responsible for taking care of.
Solar Energy & Le Moyne College, A
Promising Relationship
Submitted by Dan LaVine
CCTV Image of Foery Solar Panels- Acquired by Dan LaVine
One of Le Moyne College’s first green initiatives in solar energy, as a renewable source of power, was the installation of solar panels on the roof of Foery Hall in the Spring of 2011. The design and installation of the system was donated by Solar Liberty along with a partial grant from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. This solar panel system can produce 20,885 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, reduce 16.5 tons of carbon emissions annually and over the solar panels lifetime is estimated to save approximately $106,000 for Le Moyne College. According to Erich Foertch, CHMM, Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability at Le Moyne: “The energy generated by the Foery Hall array is fed back into the campus grid”. This in turn will reduce the amount of energy that must be delivered to Le Moyne College by National Grid and notably help the college come closer to their sustainability goals. What is surprising about this project, is that most Le Moyne students and faculty have no idea that this array is there!
According to Eric Foertch, Le Moyne’s current energy contract involves 10% REC’s (Renewable Energy Certificates), meaning that 10% of Le Moyne’s purchased energy comes from renewable sources. He also was clear to say that Le Moyne is currently in the process of re-negotiating their energy purchases, with potential for an increase to this number in the future. According to (https://environmentamerica.org), over 40 universities and colleges in the U.S. have transitioned to 100% renewable energy sources for their electricity. The University of Buffalo located in New York State has impressively reached this goal along with a 35% reduction in carbon emissions. One of the solar initiatives that has helped them achieve this goal is the Solar Strand Walkway which includes 3,200 solar panels providing power to hundreds of student apartments and contributing to the elimination of 400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions yearly. Other schools in the top 40 include Georgetown University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Ithaca College to name a few. Additional schools of all scopes and sizes have been able to achieve this great milestone with solar energy playing a key role. It is important to look at and study what these schools have done to achieve this historic goal. While using 100% renewable energy sources may be an optimistic goal to set for any college or university, we can use some of these success stories as inspiring examples, and find ways to continue moving in this direction with solar energy leading the way.
A great example of how we can individually make a difference in sustainability goals is shared by Le Moyne College Professor, Dr. Jeffrey Chin. He has been a long-time environmentalist and installing solar panels on his home was one of the ways that he could achieve his long-term goal to eliminate his dependency on fossil fuels. Over the past summer, Dr. Chin has reached this goal. He was able to remove the last of his gas appliances and is now fully operating from the electricity that his solar array is able to produce. He felt that this was a way in which he could make a personal difference to our environment and also put less of a strain on the grid in the process. Not only does this installation offer moral benefits, but the economic benefits are also relevant as well. Since Dr. Chin has installed his solar array, his energy bill only consists of a flat rate of $17 for being wired to his provider. He faces no extra utility charge with the exception of a few select winter days when his panels may be covered by snow. He made it clear however, that this is a very occasional occurrence. Another very interesting bit of information is that these solar panels were installed by Nickels Energy Solutions, a company run by Le Moyne graduate Kevin Nickels. The process took roughly two weeks and went as smoothly as Dr. Chin could have asked for.
The overall sentiment at Le Moyne College surrounding solar energy is one of prospect and hope in its commitment to sustainability. It is great to know that administration, faculty and students in positions to make a difference are supportive to advance the college’s sustainable energy capabilities while striving to meet personal sustainability goals as well. The use of solar energy is a viable and abundant solution to sustainability issues across universities, colleges and society as a whole. It is now in our hands to continue to push for such changes and to make our clean energy goals to continue to become a reality.
Sustainability in CNY: A Climate Change Workshop
*VOTE YES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT
New York Proposal 1, the Environmental Bond Measure, is on
the ballot in New York as a legislatively referred bond question on November 8, 2022.
A “yes” vote supports issuing $4.20 billion in general obligation bonds for
projects related to the environment, natural resources, water infrastructure,
and climate change mitigation.
A “no” vote opposes this measure issuing $4.20 billion in general obligation
bonds for projects related to the environment, natural resources, water
infrastructure, and climate change mitigation.
VOTE FOR CLIMATE FRIENDLY CANDIDATES
Election Day: November 8th
*SUSTAINABILITY: Climate Change Awareness & Action, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and GreeningUSA invite you to join us for a Sustainability in CNY Workshop on November 12, 2022 from 1PM -3PM at the Liverpool Library (310 Tulip St., Liverpool). This in-person interactive event aims to engage people in finding climate solutions for their community. Register for this event at: REGISTER NOW
The Way to Slow Climate Change Is as Close as Your City Hall or School Board
Attend the next Monthly CCAA Meeting When: Tuesday, November 8th, 6:00 p.m. Each month, CCAA invites you to join us, in-person or over Zoom. Come meet people who are committed to working towards fossil-free communities. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The room opens at 5:45 p.m. for socializing. Register here.
Sustainability in CNY Workshop When: November 12, 2022, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Details: Liverpool Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool
Public discussions on energy, sustainable economics, public engagement, natural solutions and transportation
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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!
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